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 Prophecy
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My prediction will surely be true
The impending disaster it looms
And the whole of the village is doomed
Why won't you listen to me
It is so hard to understand
That I am the real seventh son
Your life or death on me depends
(Suffering and pain) impending disaster
(Souls crying) the devil's laughter
I Heard the cry of the seven whistlers
(Lucifer smiles, looks on and waits)
I'll take your life in my hands
Your fate, your fortune's in my visions
Heed what I say and you'll see
What will be
Please listen to me
Now that they see the disaster is done
Now they put all the blame unto me
They feel I brought down a curse
Don't they know that the torment
It stays with me knowing that I walk alone
Through the eyes of the future I see
They don't even know what fear is
Don't they know I'm the one who is cursed
(Purgatory beckons) souls lost forever
(Life after death) or heaven hereafter
Heard the call of the seven whistlers again
(Now Lucifer laugh, hell awaits)
I had their lives in my hands
Their fate, their fortunes, in my visions
No one believed in my true prophecy
And now it's too late
The Iron Maiden's song "The Prophecy" is a stern warning from the seventh son, who possesses the ability to foresee the future. He knows that a disaster is looming, but no one wants to believe him, and so the catastrophe materializes, causing great suffering and pain. The seventh son's prediction comes true, and he is held responsible for it by the villagers, who blame him for it.
Iron Maiden's "The Prophecy" is a vivid description of the power of prophecy, and how it can sometimes be misunderstood and unheeded. The seventh son can "see" the future, but it's up to the people to heed his warnings and take the necessary precautions to avoid the disaster that awaits them. The song's lyrics are a plea for people to listen to prophetic voices, to trust their insights, and to act on their warnings.
The song's haunting melody, powerful vocals, and well-crafted lyrics make it one of Iron Maiden's most gripping and timeless classics. It's a reminder that we cannot ignore the messenger, that we must listen to the voice of reason, and that we must act on what we know to be true.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that I know that the right time has come
I am aware that the time of my predictions has arrived
My prediction will surely be true
I am confident in the accuracy of my prophecy
The impending disaster it looms
A great catastrophe is approaching
And the whole of the village is doomed
The entire community is at risk
Why won't you listen to me
Why do you refuse to hear my warnings
It is so hard to understand
It is difficult for you to comprehend
That I am the real seventh son
I have the supernatural ability to see into the future
Your life or death on me depends
Your survival or demise is contingent on my prophecy
(Suffering and pain) impending disaster
Terrible agony is inevitable when disaster strikes
(Souls crying) the devil's laughter
Satan celebrates when souls are in anguish
I Heard the cry of the seven whistlers
I can hear the warning signals of impending doom
(Lucifer smiles, looks on and waits)
Satan eagerly anticipates the coming destruction
I'll take your life in my hands
I have the power to control fate
Your fate, your fortune's in my visions
I see what will happen to you
Heed what I say and you'll see
If you listen to me, you'll understand
What will be
The future is predetermined
Please listen to me
I beg you to take heed of my warnings
Now that they see the disaster is done
Now that the catastrophe has occurred
Now they put all the blame unto me
Now they accuse me of causing the disaster
They feel I brought down a curse
They believe I am responsible for the calamity
Don't they know that the torment
Do they not comprehend the burden
It stays with me knowing that I walk alone
I suffer alone with this knowledge
Through the eyes of the future I see
I have the ability to see what is to come
They don't even know what fear is
They are not yet aware of true terror
Don't they know I'm the one who is cursed
They fail to realize that I am the one who bears the curse
(Purgatory beckons) souls lost forever
Those doomed to suffer are lost in eternal torment
(Life after death) or heaven hereafter
There is either an afterlife or eternal paradise
Heard the call of the seven whistlers again
Once more, I can hear the warning signals of disaster
(Now Lucifer laugh, hell awaits)
Now Satan is laughing, knowing that hell is inevitable
I had their lives in my hands
I held their fate in my power
Their fate, their fortunes, in my visions
I foresaw everything that would happen to them
No one believed in my true prophecy
No one trusted my foreknowledge
And now it's too late
Now there is no more time left
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris, David Michael Murray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it