Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, i… Read Full Bio ↴Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harris, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers. The band have released 41 albums, including 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs and seven compilations. They have also released 47 singles and 20 video albums. Two electronic games have been released with Iron Maiden soundtracks, and the band's music is featured in a number of other video games.

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)

When the Wild Wind Blows
Iron Maiden Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have you heard what they said on the news today?
Have you heard what is coming to us all?
That the world as we know it will be coming to an end
Have you heard, have you heard?

He sees them in the distance when the darkened clouds roll
He could feel tension in the atmosphere
He would look in the mirror, see an old man now

Does it matter? They survive somehow

They said there's nothing can be done about the situation
They said there's nothing you can do at all
To sit and wait around for something to occur
Did you know, did you know?

As he stares across the garden looking at the meadows
Wonders if they'll ever grow again
The desperation of the situation getting graver
Getting ready when the wild wind blows

Have you seen what they said on the news today?
Have you heard what they said about us all?
Do you know what is happening to just every one of us?
Have you heard, have you heard?

There will be a catastrophe the like we've never seen
There will be something that will light the sky
That the world as we know it, it will never be the same
Did you know, did you know?

He carries everything into the shelter, not a fuss
Getting ready when the moment comes
He has enough supplies to last them for a year or two
Good to have because you never know

They tell us nothing that we don't already know about
They tell us nothing that is real at all
They only fill us with the stuff that they want
Did you know, did you know?

He's nearly finished with the preparations for the day
He's getting tired, that'll do for now
They are preparing for the very worst to come to them
Getting ready when the wild wind blows

He sees the picture on the wall
It's falling down, upside down
He sees a teardrop from his wife
Roll down her face, saying grace
Remember times they had, they flash right through his mind, left behind
Of a lifetime spent together long ago, will be gone

They've been preparing for some weeks now
For when the crucial moment comes
To take their refuge in the shelter
Let them prepare for what will come

They make a tea and sit there waiting
They're in the shelter feeling snug
Not long to wait for absolution
Don't make a fuss, just sit and wait

Can't believe all the lying
All the screens are denying
That the moments of truth have begun
Can't you see it on the TV?
Don't believe them in the least bit
Now the days of our ending have begun

Say a prayer when it's all over
Survivors unite all as one
Got to try and help each other
Got the will to overcome

I can't believe all the lying
All the screens are denying
That the moments of truth have begun
Can't you see it on the TV?
Don't believe them in the least bit
Now the days of our ending have begun

When they found them
Had their arms wrapped around each other
Their tins of poison laying near by their clothes

The day they both mistook an earthquake for the fallout
Just another when the wild wind blows

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Iron Maiden's song "When the Wild Wind Blows" depict a story of an old man who prepares for a catastrophic event. He turns on the news and hears about the end of the world, and he can sense that something bad is going to happen. As he looks out into the garden, he wonders if anything will grow again. He prepares by gathering supplies and building a shelter to wait out the storm. The song takes on a somber tone as the old man, his wife, and others in their town wait for the inevitable end.

The song's lyrics are heavily influenced by the Cold War, and the fear that a nuclear war or other catastrophic event could wipe out humanity. Lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, stated that the song was about "the end of the human race as we know it,” and was inspired by the book "When the Wind Blows" by Raymond Briggs.

Line by Line Meaning

Have you heard what they said on the news today?
Have you been made aware of the recent news report?

Have you heard what is coming to us all?
Are you aware of the impending danger that we all face?

That the world as we know it will be coming to an end
The future for this world is bleak and dark.

Have you heard, have you heard?
Do you know? Are you aware?

He sees them in the distance when the darkened clouds roll
He notices them from a distance when the black storm clouds move in.

He could feel tension in the atmosphere
He senses the distress and anxiety in the air around him.

He would look in the mirror, see an old man now
He is confronted by the reflection of an older man when he gazes into the mirror.

Does it matter? They survive somehow
The only important thing is to ensure their survival, no matter how.

They said there's nothing can be done about the situation
They claim that the circumstances are out of our control.

They said there's nothing you can do at all
According to them, there is nothing that can be done, no matter how hard we try.

To sit and wait around for something to occur
To wait for an event to happen that you cannot stop.

Did you know, did you know?
Were you aware, did you realize?

As he stares across the garden looking at the meadows
He looks out towards the fields as he contemplates.

Wonders if they'll ever grow again
He ponders whether or not the fields will yield another harvest.

The desperation of the situation getting graver
The severity of the situation is increasing in magnitude.

Getting ready when the wild wind blows
Making preparations for when disaster strikes and the wind howls.

Have you seen what they said on the news today?
Have you witnessed the news report of what is occurring?

Have you heard what they said about us all?
Have you been informed about the frightening announcement?

Do you know what is happening to just every one of us?
Are you aware of the catastrophic disaster that is happening to us all?

There will be a catastrophe the like we've never seen
A monumental disaster like nothing else we have ever seen is on its way.

There will be something that will light the sky
There will be a bright light in the sky, signaling the beginning of the end.

That the world as we know it, it will never be the same
This world will be forever changed and will never be the same again.

Did you know, did you know?
Did you already know, were you made aware?

He carries everything into the shelter, not a fuss
He brings everything necessary into the shelter without making a fuss.

Getting ready when the moment comes
Preparing oneself for when disaster strikes at any given moment.

He has enough supplies to last them for a year or two
He has a sufficient supply of necessities to last them for a year or two.

Good to have because you never know
It is important to have because it is impossible to predict what may happen.

They tell us nothing that we don't already know about
What they tell us is not new information.

They tell us nothing that is real at all
What they tell us is untrue and unhelpful.

They only fill us with the stuff that they want
The information they impart is solely what they choose to tell us.

Did you know, did you know?
Were you aware of this, did you realize?

He's nearly finished with the preparations for the day
He is close to completing the tasks required for that day.

He's getting tired, that'll do for now
He has become fatigued and decides to rest for now.

They are preparing for the very worst to come to them
They are getting ready for the absolute worst thing that could happen.

Getting ready when the wild wind blows
Preparing for the disaster that will strike when the fierce gales arrive.

He sees the picture on the wall
He notices a photograph on the wall.

It's falling down, upside down
The picture has fallen off the wall and is now turned upside down.

He sees a teardrop from his wife
He observes a tear falling down his wife's cheek.

Roll down her face, saying grace
The tear runs down her face as she prays.

Remember times they had, they flash right through his mind, left behind
Recollections of their past together rush through his mind as they remain behind.

Of a lifetime spent together long ago, will be gone
Their lifetime spent together will be gone very soon.

They've been preparing for some weeks now
They have been making preparations for several weeks now.

For when the crucial moment comes
In anticipation of the paramount moment's arrival.

To take their refuge in the shelter
They will seek safety and protection in the shelter.

Let them prepare for what will come
Allow them to ready themselves for the imminent danger.

They make a tea and sit there waiting
They brew some tea and await the disaster's arrival.

They're in the shelter feeling snug
They are nestled in the shelter, feeling warm and protected.

Not long to wait for absolution
They will soon receive the promised safety.

Don't make a fuss, just sit and wait
Remain calm and wait patiently, do not cause a commotion.

Can't believe all the lying
Unwilling to believe the deceitful information being presented.

All the screens are denying
The screens are denying what they ought to report.

That the moments of truth have begun
The time of truth has finally arrived.

Can't you see it on the TV?
Why can't you see what is being presented on the TV?

Don't believe them in the least bit
They are not trustworthy, do not believe them under any circumstances.

Now the days of our ending have begun
The time of our demise has commenced.

Say a prayer when it's all over
When it is over, say a prayer.

Survivors unite all as one
All survivors should join together as one.

Got to try and help each other
They must attempt to aid each other.

Got the will to overcome
They possess the determination to push through.