As pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, Iron Maiden achieved initial success during the early 1980s. After several lineup changes, the band went on to release a series of UK and US Platinum and Gold albums, including 1980's eponymous debut album, 1981's Killers, 1982's The Number of the Beast, 1983's Piece of Mind, 1984's Powerslave, 1985's live release Live After Death, 1986's Somewhere in Time, 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, 1990's No Prayer for the Dying and 1992's Fear of the Dark. In 1982, the band released The Number of the Beast – its first album with Bruce Dickinson, who replaced Paul Di'Anno as lead singer – which was a turning point in their career, helping establish them as one of heavy metal's most important artists. The Number of the Beast is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide.
Since the return of lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith in 1999, the band has undergone a resurgence in popularity, with a series of new albums and highly successful tours. Released in 2006, A Matter of Life and Death, their 14th studio album, reached top sales in dozens of countries, initiating the series of Iron Maiden's highest-ranked albums. Their 2010 album, The Final Frontier, peaked at No. 1 in 28 countries and received widespread critical acclaim. Their 16th studio album, The Book of Souls, was released on 4 September 2015 to similar success, debuting at No. 1 in the album charts of 24 countries with physical sales and summary in 43 territories with physical and digital sales. Most recently, their 17th studio album, Senjutsu, was released on 3 September 2021 and eventually reached No. 1 in 27 countries.
Iron Maiden have sold over 130 million copies of their albums worldwide, despite minimal radio and mainstream media support. The band's catalogue has sold over 200 million copies worldwide, including albums, singles, compilations and videos. By 2022, their releases have been certified Silver, Gold and Platinum around 600 times worldwide. Iron Maiden have become one of the most influential and revered rock bands of all time, and is credited with influencing countless bands and genres. Critics have stated that the band elevated heavy metal to an art form, proving that academic and musical inspirations can coexist. The band is also hailed as one of the greatest live acts of all time.
The band and its members have received multiple industry awards, including the Grammy Awards and its equivalents in other countries. Other accolades the band has received include Brit Awards, Silver Clef Award, Nordoff-Robbins Award, Ivor Novello Awards, Juno Awards, Guinness Book of World Records, Public Choice International, Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, ECHO Awards, Top.HR Music Awards, Žebřík Music Awards, honorary doctorates, State Prizes, sales recognition, marketing achievements recognition awards, charity and sport awards among many others. Iron Maiden were inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk, BPI Hall of Fame and Kerrang! Hall of Fame. The band is also a part of permanent exhibitions of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, British Music Experience, Rock in Rio Wall of Fame and Wacken Open Air Hall of Fame. Iron Maiden were honoured by Royal Mail UK with dedicated postal stamps and cards. The band as 'bona fide' rock legends belongs to an elitarian circle of British iconic bands honoured with an unique range of stamps, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen and Iron Maiden as the fifth one.
Iron Maiden's lyrics cover such topics as history, literature, war, mythology, society and religion. Many of their songs are based on history, classic literature and film. As of October 2019, the band have played some 2500 live shows, performing for tens of millions of fans. For over 40 years, the musicians have been supported by their famous mascot, "Eddie", who has appeared on almost all of their album and single covers, videos and merchandise. Originally designed by Derek Riggs, Eddie became the main attraction of Iron Maiden live shows, which feature theatrical elements like coloured backdrops, inflatables, pyrotechnics, elaborate lighting rigs, props and stage sets.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Maiden
Studio albums
Iron Maiden (1980)
Killers (1981)
The Number of the Beast (1982)
Piece of Mind (1983)
Powerslave (1984)
Somewhere in Time (1986)
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
Fear of the Dark (1992)
The X Factor (1995)
Virtual XI (1998)
Brave New World (2000)
Dance of Death (2003)
A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
The Final Frontier (2010)
The Book of Souls (2015)
Senjutsu (2021)
The Prisoner
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who are you?
The new number two
Who is number one?
You are number six
I am not a number, I am a free man!
I'm on the run, I kill to eat
Goin' all the way, I'm nature's beast
Do what I want and do as I please
Run, fight to breathe, it's tough
Now you see me, now you don't
Break the walls, I'm comin' out
Not a prisoner, I'm a free man
And my blood is my own now
Don't care where the past was
I know where I'm going out
If you kill me, it's self defense
if I kill you then I call it vengeance
Spit in your eye I will defy
You'll be afraid when I call out your name
Run, fight to breathe, it's gonna be tough
Now you see me, now you don't
Break the walls, I'm comin' out
Not a prisoner, I'm a free man
And my blood is my own now
Don't care where the past was
I know where I'm going
I'm not a number, I'm a free man
Live my life where I want to
You'd better scratch me from your black book
'Cause I'll run rings around you
Not a prisoner, I'm a free man
And my blood is my own now
Don't care where the past was
I know where I'm going
I'm not a number, I'm a free man
Live my life where I want to
You'd better scratch me from your black book
'Cause I'll run rings around you
Not a prisoner, I'm a free man
And my blood is my own now
Don't care where the past was
I know where I'm going
The lyrics to Iron Maiden’s The Prisoner were inspired by the British television series of the same name. The song is about a character who is being held captive and interrogated for information, but he refuses to comply and insists on his freedom. The lyrics express his desire to break free from his captors and live life on his own terms.
The first verse of the song features a conversation between the singer and his captor. The captor repeatedly asks for information, but the singer replies with defiance, stating that he is not a number, but a free man. The chorus then kicks in with the singer stating that he is on the run and that he will do as he pleases. He is not going to be held captive any longer.
Line by Line Meaning
We want information, information, information
We demand to know the truth and nothing but the truth
Who are you?
Please identify yourself
The new number two
You are the latest in a long line of people who need to control me
Who is number one?
Who is the ultimate authority that controls us?
You are number six
You are trying to classify me as just another number, but I refuse to be defined by a label
I am not a number, I am a free man!
I will not be confined or controlled by anyone or anything
I'm on the run, I kill to eat
I am fighting to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world
I'm starving now, feelin' dead on my feet
My hunger and exhaustion are taking their toll on me
Goin' all the way, I'm nature's beast
I am a primal force, driven by instinct and survival
Do what I want and do as I please
I refuse to be constrained by rules or authority
Run, fight to breathe, it's tough
Life is a constant struggle for survival
Now you see me, now you don't
I am elusive and difficult to control
Break the walls, I'm comin' out
I will not be confined or restricted by anyone or anything
Not a prisoner, I'm a free man
I will not be held captive by anyone or anything
And my blood is my own now
I am the master of my own destiny
Don't care where the past was
I am focused on the present and the future, not the past
I know where I'm going out
I have a clear sense of purpose and direction
If you kill me, it's self defense
If you try to harm me, I will defend myself
if I kill you then I call it vengeance
If you cross me, I will make sure you regret it
Spit in your eye I will defy
I will not be intimidated or undermined by anyone
You'll be afraid when I call out your name
My reputation and my power precede me
It's gonna be tough
I know that the road ahead will be difficult and challenging
Live my life where I want to
I refuse to be constrained by societal expectations or norms
You'd better scratch me from your black book
You should remove me from your list of people to watch or control
'Cause I'll run rings around you
I am more powerful and cunning than you realize
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris, Adrian Frederick Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it