The title track on the single is covered with (B-side's) "Remember Me, I'm Gone", which appears on CD re-issues of the Iron Fist album. In Spain, the title track was put on the B-side of "Go to Hell" and was issued with a picture sleeve of the band dressed as warriors in skull masks.
This is the last single featuring the classic Motörhead line-up of Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clarke and "Philthy Animal" Taylor, as Clarke left following the recording of the Stand By Your Man EP.
On March 27, 1982, Lemmy, Clarke and Taylor were interviewed by Tommy Vance on BBC Radio 1's 'Rock On Saturday' show, "Iron Fist", "Loser", and "Speed Freak" were played.
The song was covered by the German thrash metal band Sodom on their 1987 album Persecution Mania.
Since 2004, the symphonic metal band Therion covered "Iron Fist" song on several live shows. One of the version is released on Celebrators of Becoming box-set.
The song was performed by Lemmy, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee on Jimmy Kimmel Live on the 8th of October, 2009.
Iron Fist
Motörhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Invisible hand in front of me
Scared to death, there's someone near
Scared to move but you can't stay here
You know me, evil eye
You know me, prepare to die
You know me, the snakebite kiss
Flying horse don't make a sound
Flying hooves don't touch the ground
Walk in circle, lose your track
Can't go on but you can't go back
You know me, evil eye
You know me, prepare to die
You know me, you can't resist
Devil's grip, the iron fist
Moon eclipse and you know why
Ghost rider in the sky
Beast of evil, devil's hound
Tooth and claw they pull you down
You know me, evil eye
You know me, prepare to die
You know me, the great white kiss
Devil's grip, the iron fist
Motörhead's song "Iron Fist" is a powerful and ominous track that features Lemmy Kilmister's signature raspy vocals and fast-paced instrumentals. The lyrics describe a feeling of dread and impending doom as the singer is being hunted by an unknown force. The first verse paints a picture of darkness and fear, with the invisible hand representing the unknown and the fear of the unknown. The chorus reinforces the sense of impending danger with the repeated phrases "You know me, evil eye, prepare to die," building up to the climax of the Devil's grip, the iron fist.
The second verse describes a mystical flying horse, but even this ethereal creature cannot escape the grip of the unknown force. Walking in circles, losing one's way, creates a sense of desperation and hopelessness. The repetition of the chorus reminds us that the unknown force is always present and always ready to strike. The final verse refers to moon eclipses and the ghost rider in the sky, adding to the sense of otherworldly danger. The Beast of evil, devil's hound, tooth, and claw all describe the unknown force, and the great white kiss is a reference to death.
Line by Line Meaning
Dark night, nothing to see
A pitch-black darkness shrouds the area, where nothing is visible to the observer
Invisible hand in front of me
There is an inaudible, unidentified, and unseen presence obstructing the path
Scared to death, there's someone near
An imminent danger exists, causing intense fear, indicating the presence of an intruder
Scared to move but you can't stay here
Even though the person is petrified with fear and unable to move, they must leave the spot to avoid the impending danger
You know me, evil eye
The persona is infamous and notorious for his wicked nature, suggesting that the listener is aware of it
You know me, prepare to die
The listener knows the persona's malevolent intentions towards them and is warned of fatal consequences
You know me, the snakebite kiss
The persona is known for seducing and then betraying the victims in the most brutal manner, describing it as a poisonous serpent's kiss
Devil's grip, the iron fist
The persona's clasp is compared to that of the devil, possessing immense strength and unrelenting power, resembling an iron fist
Flying horse don't make a sound
The mode of transportation used here is completely silent, possibly indicating an unearthly and ghostly mount
Flying hooves don't touch the ground
The flying creature's hooves do not come in contact with the earth while traveling, as it hovers above the terrain
Walk in circle, lose your track
When the person is walking, they lose their sense of direction, causing them to move in circles, being unable to determine the correct path
Can't go on but you can't go back
The situation is at a critical impasse, wherein the person can neither proceed nor retreat due to imminent danger
Moon eclipse and you know why
The eclipse of the moon holds significant and ominous importance; the listener comprehends the reason for its occurrence
Ghost rider in the sky
An apparition of a rider presumably traveling in the sky, indicates a supernatural occurrence
Beast of evil, devil's hound
A ferocious animal, most likely a canine, is associated with evil, being a minion of the devil, giving rise to terror
Tooth and claw they pull you down
The terrifying creature uses its sharp teeth and claws to bring down the victim in a vicious attack
You know me, the great white kiss
The persona's treacherous and deadly gesture is described as the great white kiss, symbolizing deceit and death
Devil's grip, the iron fist
Once again, the comparison of the persona's grip to that of the devil's and an iron fist reiterates the immense power and inescapability of their grasp
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Alan Clarke, Ian Kilmister, Philip John Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@afterburner2869
Dark night nothing to see
Invisible hand in front of me
Scared to death there's someone near
Scared to move but you can't stay here
You know me, evil eye
You know me, prepare to die
You know me, the snakebite kiss
Devil's grip, the Iron Fist
Flying horse don't make a sound
Flying hooves don't touch the ground
Walk in circle lose your track
Can't go on but you can't go back
You know me, evil eye
You know me, prepare to die
You know me, you can't resist
Devil's grip, the Iron Fist
Moon eclipse and you know why
Ghost rider in the sky
Beast of evil devil's hound
Tooth and claw they pull you down
You know me, evil eye
You know me, prepare to die
You know me, the graveyard kiss
Devil's grip, the Iron Fist
@pererlingjohansen6597
Lemmy ain't Dead...God just needed Bass lessons.
@tommyt1971
Always thought this song sounded like the evil twin of Ace of Spades that was kept in a basement in the coal chute and was never allowed outside to play.
@Slammerworm1
And that 'Overkill' was some 'Resident Evil'-type 'monstrously powerful and totally uncontrollable' lab-created beast from which the DNA strands were harvested for 'Ace of Spades'.
@patdisaster8543
Thrown a gallon of water and a whole boiled chicken once a week....that was a horror movie....I vaguely remember.
@user-nr5tj4iv8l
Ну да такой он прикольный мир придумал... Моя войнушка... Сиди там и не выходи мальчик...
@superunknown2812
I like thus song more then ace of spades its more raw thrashy
@shazarhaniff9053
Yes..
I thought so 2..
@dorojessy6932
R.I.P. Lemmy, Phil and Eddie, they contributed so much to Rock 'n' Roll!!!
@conde_bathory
Not only rock'n'roll. Heavy metal and its branches as well, including speed metal, thrash metal, and even black metal - the three instigators (Venom, Hellhammer, Bathory) were heavily influenced by Motörhead's filthy brand of fast and loud rock'n'roll
@vennuv5626
@@conde_bathory and now they are inspiring my band with that dirty bass tone, machinegun like drums and bluesy guitarsolos