Paul Di'Anno began his professional musical career singing with Iron Maiden in 1978. His style has been described as more punk-influenced than Iron Maiden's following vocalist Bruce Dickinson. Di'Anno left the band after two albums, the reasons for so vary between sources; either leaving by his own will or being sacked due to excessive drug and drinking habits with a conflicting personality .
Despite his short tenure in the band, Paul Di'Anno is seen as a major factor in the early development of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement.
After this, Paul moved onto various projects such as Di'Anno, Battlezone and Killers with varying commercial success. Now, his band is simply known as Paul Di'Anno.
In his post-Maiden career, Di'Anno has issued numerous albums over the years, as both a solo artist and as a member of such bands as Gogmagog, Di'Anno's Battlezone, Praying Mantis, Killers, and Rockfellas.
Paul Di'Anno has been in or has recorded with the following bands:
* Iron Maiden (1978 - 1981)
* Di'Anno (1983 - 1985, 2000)
* Gogmagog (1985)
* Battlezone (1985 - 1989, 1998)
* Praying Mantis (1990)
* Killers (1990 - 1997, 2001 - 2003)
* Paul Di'Anno & Dennis Stratton (1995 - 1996)
* The Almighty Inbredz (1999)
* Paul Di'Anno (1997 - 1999, 2000 - Present)
Discography with Iron Maiden:
Title: The Soundhouse tapes
Released: 1979
Track list:
1. Iron Maiden
2. Invasion
3. Prowler
======================================
Title: Running Free
Released: 1980
Line up:
* Paul Di'Anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Clive Burr - Drums
* Dennis Stratton - Guitar
Track list:
1. Running Free
2. Burning Ambition
======================================
Title: Sanctuary
Released: 1980
Line up:
* Paul Di'Anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Clive Burr - Drums
* Dennis Stratton - Guitar
Track list:
1. Sanctuary
2. Drifter
3. I've Got The Fire
======================================
Title: Women In Uniform
Released 1980
Line up:
* Paul Di'anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Clive Burr - Drums
* Dennis Stratton - Guitar
Track list:
1. Women In Uniform
2. Invasion
======================================
Title: Twilight Zone
Released 1981
Line up:
* Paul Di'Anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Clive Burr - Drums
* Adrian Smith - Guitar
Track list:
1. Twilight Zone
2. Wrathchild
======================================
Title: Purgatory
Released 1981
Line up:
* Paul Di'anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Clive Burr - Drums
* Adrian Smith - Guitar
Track list:
1. Purgatory
2. Genghis Khan
======================================
Title: Metal For Muthas
Released 1980
Line up
* Paul Di'anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Tony Parsons - Guitar
* Clive Burr - Drums
Track list:
1. Sanctuary
2. Wrathchild
======================================
Title: Iron Maiden
Released 1980
Line up:
* Paul Di'Anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Dennis Stratton
* Clive Burr - Drums
Track list:
1. Prowler
2. Remember Tomorrow
3. Running Free
4. Phantom Of The Opera
5. Transylvania
6. Strange World
7. Charlotte The Harlot
8. Iron Maiden
======================================
Title:
Killers
Released 1981
Format CD/LP
Line up:
* Paul Di'Anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Adrian Smith
* Clive Burr - Drums
Track list:
1. The Ides Of March
2. Wrathchild
3. Murders In The Rue Morgue
4. Another Life
5. Genghis Khan
6. Innocent Exile
7. Killers
8. Twilight Zone
9. Prodigal Son
10. Purgatory
11. Drifter
======================================
Title:
Maiden Japan
Released: 1981
Line up:
* Paul Di'Anno - Vocals
* Steve Harris - Bass
* Dave Murray - Guitar
* Adrian Smith
* Clive Burr - Drums
Track list:
1. Running Free
2. Remember Tomorrow
3. Wrathchild
4. Killers
5. Innocent Exile
======================================
Title: Best Of The Beast
Released 1996
Line up: Various Iron Maiden line ups (1980-1996)
Track list (with Paul Di'Anno):
Disc 2.
14. Iron Maiden (Soundhouse 7")
13. Strange World (Soundhouse sessions, unreleased)
12. Sanctuary
11. Phantom Of The Opera
10. Wrathchild
======================================
Title: Best Of B-Sides
Released 2002
Various Iron Maiden line-ups (1980-2002)
Track list (with Paul Di'Anno):
Disc 1.
1. Burning Ambibition
2. Drifter (Live)
3. Invasion
======================================
Title BBC Archives
Released 2002
Line up: Iron Maiden line-ups 1979-1982
Track list (with Paul Di'Anno):
Disc 1. (Friday Rock Show Session (1979))
1. Iron Maiden
2. Running Free
3. Transylvania
4. Sanctuary
Disc 2. (Reading Festival (August 23th 1980))
1. Prowler
2. Remember Tomorrow
3. Killers
4. Running Free
5. Transylvania
6. Iron Maiden
Phantom of the Opera
Paul Di'anno Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been living so long in hiding in hiding behind that falsemask
And you know and i know that you ain't got long now to last
Your looks and your feelings are just the remains of your past
You're standing in the wings, there you wait for the curtain tofall
Knowing the terror and holding you have on us all
Yeah, i know that you're gonna scratch me, maim me and maul
You know i'm helpless from your mesmerising cat call
Don't you stray, don't fade away
Watch your step, he's out to get you, come what may
Don't you stray, from the narrow way
I'm running and hiding in my dreams you're always there
You're the phantom of the opera, you're the devil, you're justout to scare
You damaged my mind and my soul it just floats through the air
Haunt me, you taunt me, you torture me back at your lair
The lyrics of Paul Di'Anno's "Phantom of the Opera" convey the story of a sinister figure, the titular Phantom, who has been hiding behind a false mask for a long time, waiting for the right moment to reveal his true self. The persona addressing the Phantom has been looking for him for quite some time, and now that they finally found him, they will not let him slip away. The Phantom's looks and feelings are described to be the remains of his past, suggesting that he is a broken and perhaps even a haunted being.
The persona tells the Phantom that they know he is about to make a move, and they anticipate that he will attack them as well. The Phantom has a mesmerizing effect on those around him, which leaves the persona helpless and unable to escape his influence. The persona urges the listeners to stay away from the Phantom, to not be deceived by his tricks and fall into his trap.
The persona then reveals that they have been running and hiding from the Phantom in their dreams, further emphasising the horrific nature of the Phantom's character. The Phantom is portrayed as the devil himself, who destroys the persona's mind and soul, leaving them haunted and tortured. The lyrics capture the fear and dread associated with the Phantom of the Opera, who emerges from the shadows to claim his victims.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been looking so long for you now you won't get away from my grasp
I've been searching for you for so long, and now that I've found you, I won't let you escape from me.
You've been living so long in hiding in hiding behind that false mask
You have been living in secrecy, hiding your true identity behind a false persona.
And you know and i know that you ain't got long now to last
We both know that your time is coming to an end soon.
Your looks and your feelings are just the remains of your past
Your current appearance and emotions are only remnants of your past self.
You're standing in the wings, there you wait for the curtain to fall
You are waiting in the wings, anticipating the moment when you will reveal yourself to us.
Knowing the terror and holding you have on us all
You are aware of the fear that you instill in all of us and how we are powerless against you.
Yeah, i know that you're gonna scratch me, maim me and maul
I am aware that you will harm me in some way, whether it be physical or emotional.
You know i'm helpless from your mesmerising cat call
You know that I am defenseless against your hypnotic call for me to come closer to you.
Keep your distance, walk away, don't take his bait
Stay away from him and don't let him lure you in.
Don't you stray, don't fade away
Don't let yourself be tempted to stray from the path of righteousness and don't lose hope.
Watch your step, he's out to get you, come what may
Be careful and vigilant, because he's determined to harm you no matter what.
Don't you stray, from the narrow way
Stay on the path of righteousness, even though it may be difficult.
I'm running and hiding in my dreams you're always there
Even in my dreams, I can't escape from you because you haunt me.
You're the phantom of the opera, you're the devil, you're just out to scare
You are like the phantom of the opera or the devil, your only goal is to scare and torment others.
You damaged my mind and my soul it just floats through the air
You have left a lasting impact on my mental and emotional well-being.
Haunt me, you taunt me, you torture me back at your lair
You haunt, taunt, and torture me relentlessly from your hiding place.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mike Batt, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Richard Stilgoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Poore
Nothing but respect for Paul, singing from a wheelchair. Most people would've given up, called it a day, I mean he was the voice of IRON freaking MAIDEN for two albums. It looks like his fans still love him and he was smiling most of the time, that's a legendary success if you ask me.
Mike Beckert
WAS
WarthDader74
Paul Di'Anno is a living legend, he is the Elvis Presley of hard rock. But sadly not all people understand that.
Harald Albrecht
My legend !❣❣❣❣🤘
BadBurschy
@Number 6 cocaine is a hell of a drug
Michael Keudel
@Trend Massacre I knew it was the last Genesis tour ever, I went and was pleasantly surprised, and it wasxa bit emotional watching your hero's grow old. I have severe back problems myself, so I give Phil a big kudos for pulling it off, I have 4 herniation in my upper/mid/and lower back, I haven't known a pain free day in over 15 years. I couldn't imagine the pain I'd be in traveling everyday.
The Real Andre Corbin
The 1st two Maiden records are still in the top 4 of everything they have done to this day in my opinion
Ubiratan Guimarães
specialy killers that have a very magic sound
Mike Morrison
Definitely Killers is in their top 3 I would say, amazing classic record
andrey davydov
At least their debut LP