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)
Wrathchild
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And dominance and persecution
My mother was a queen, my dad I've never seen
I was never meant to be
And now I spend my time looking all around
For a man that's nowhere to be found
Until I find him I'm never gonna stop searching
I'm gonna find my man, gonna travel around
'Cause I'm a wrathchild
Yeah, I'm a wrathchild
Yeah, I'm a wrathchild
I'm coming to get you, ooh, yeah, yeah
Say it doesn't matter
Ain't nothin' gonna alter the course of my destination
I know I've got to find some serious piece of mind
Or I know I'll just go crazy
But now I spend my time looking all around
For a man that's nowhere to be found
Until I find him, I'm never gonna stop searching
I'm gonna find my man, gonna travel around
'Cause I'm a wrathchild
Well I'm a wrathchild
Yeah, I'm a wrathchild
I'm coming to get you ooh, yeah, yeah
'Cause I'm a wrathchild
Yeah, I'm a wrathchild
Yeah, I'm a wrathchild
I'm coming to get you, ooh, yeah, yeah
The song "Wrathchild" by Iron Maiden tells the story of a person who was born into a world of anger, greed, dominance, and persecution. The lyrics suggest that the person's mother was a queen, but they never knew their father. The singer in the song spends their time searching for a man who is nowhere to be found, determined to locate him and travel around.
The lyrics emphasize that nothing will divert their course in fulfilling their destiny. The character recognizes the need for a peaceful mind, or they may become crazy. The last lines of the song underline that the singer is a Wrathchild, willing to do anything to get what they want.
The lyrics of "Wrathchild" are open to interpretation. Some suggest that the song reflects the band's signature sound and highlights hard-rocking riffs and Bruce Dickinson's powerful vocal performance. Others argue that the song may symbolize the band's determination to make their mark on the music industry, much like the singer in the song. The song is a catchy tribute to the band's signature sound with infectious guitar riffs and an anthemic chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born into a scene of angriness and greed
I was born into a world full of negative emotions, selfishness and desire for material goods.
And dominance and persecution
This world was also full of people who want to oppress and exploit others.
My mother was a queen, my dad I've never seen
My mother was a powerful woman, but my father was absent from my life.
I was never meant to be
It seems like I was not a part of the plan, like my existence was not supposed to happen.
And now I spend my time looking all around
As a result, I spend my time searching for something or someone to give my life purpose and meaning.
For a man that's nowhere to be found
In this search, I am looking for a man who I cannot seem to find.
Until I find him I'm never gonna stop searching
Until I find what I am looking for, I am determined to not give up on this search.
I'm gonna find my man, gonna travel around
I will go to great lengths to find the person who will give my life a sense of direction and travel around for this purpose.
'Cause I'm a wrathchild
The intensity and determination with which I am searching for this purpose make me a force to be reckoned with.
Say it doesn't matter
Even if others say that my search is pointless, I will not be deterred.
Ain't nothin' gonna alter the course of my destination
Nothing will stop me from finding what I am looking for and reaching my ultimate goal.
I know I've got to find some serious piece of mind
In this search, I know that I need to find something that will bring me peace of mind, and it needs to be something significant.
Or I know I'll just go crazy
If I don't find that something, I fear that my search will drive me mad.
Well I'm a wrathchild
My determination and power in my search make me a true 'wrathchild'.
I'm coming to get you ooh, yeah, yeah
I will not stop until I find what I am looking for, and it will be a powerful force when I do.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it