Iron Maiden "Aces High (Single & Video)"

"Aces High" is a song by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, written by the band's bassist Steve Harris. It is Iron Maiden's eleventh single release and the second from their fifth studio album, Powerslave (1984).

The first B-side is a cover of Nektar's "King of Twilight", from their 1972 album A Tab in the Ocean. Their cover is actually a medley of the songs "Crying in the Dark" and "King of Twilight", the last two songs on the album. The Japanese 12" was mixed with the B-side covers from "The Trooper" & "2 Minutes To Midnight" single.

The song's lyrics are written from the viewpoint of a British RAF pilot fighting during the Battle of Britain (1940), the first military engagement to be fought entirely with aircraft. The artwork depicts the band's mascot, Eddie the Head, in the cockpit of a Supermarine Spitfire, one of the principal aircraft to participate in that battle.

"Aces High" is one of Iron Maiden's most popular songs, and has been covered numerous times. It is featured in the video game Madden NFL 10, the MTV show Nitro Circus, and Steve Peat's segment in the mountain bike film New World Disorder III. Colin McKay used the song on his part of the skate video Plan B Questionable. It can also be found in the soundtrack of the game Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now.

"Aces High" is frequently used as the opening song for Iron Maiden concerts. As seen in concert videos such as Live After Death and Iron Maiden: Flight 666, it is usually preceded by Winston Churchill's "We shall fight on the beaches" speech with the sound of planes in the background. Churchill's speech was also included at the beginning of the song's music video.

In a 2014 interview with Q magazine, Gerard Way said that "the live version of 'Aces High' off the Live After Death album was the song that first made [him] interested in performing live."

"Aces High" has been performed on five Iron Maiden Tours (World Slavery Tour, The Ed Hunter Tour, Somewhere Back in Time World Tour, Maiden England World Tour and Legacy of the Beast World Tour). It was the opener to all five tours in which it was performed except for the Maiden England World Tour where it was moved to the encore.

Track listing

7" single

Side one

1. "Aces High" Steve Harris 4:31

Side two

1. "King of Twilight" (Nektar cover) Nektar 4:49

12" single

Side one

1. "Aces High" Harris 4:31

Side two

1. "King of Twilight" (Nektar cover) Nektar 4:49
2. "The Number of the Beast" (live at Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany, 18 December 1983) Harris 4:57

Japanese and Brazilian 12" maxi single

Side one

1. "Aces High" Harris 4:31
2. "The Number of the Beast" (live at Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany, 18 December 1983) Harris 4:56

Side two

1. "King of Twilight" (Nektar cover) Nektar 4:50
2. "Rainbow's Gold" (Beckett cover)  Terry Slesser/Kenny Mountain 4:57
3. "Cross-Eyed Mary" (Jethro Tull cover) Ian Anderson 3:52

Iron Maiden "Different World (Single & Video)"

"Different World" is a song by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It is the opening track from their 14th studio album, A Matter of Life and Death (2006), and was released as the second single from the album. It was released on 14 November 2006 in the United States, and 26 December 2006 in Europe. The song has been stated by the band to be a tribute to Thin Lizzy due to the low sounding melodies sung by Bruce Dickinson that are reminiscent of those Phil Lynott would sing. It was also played first every night on the band's A Matter of Life and Death Tour.

The guitar solo in "Different World" is played by Adrian Smith.

The song is featured in the skateboarding video game Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam.

The all-female tribute band, The Iron Maidens, recorded an acoustic cover of the song on their 2008 EP The Root of All Evil.

Two music videos of "Different World" were released. In the first, a computer animated version of Dickinson is watching a factory of drones reorganizing test tubes. When one appears with a purple liquid in it, he takes the tube and runs. He is chased by more drones across an extremely high-up walkway, before leaping off the platform, and later through a garbage disposal chute. He exits the chute at high speed, and tries to grab hold of it but eventually falls. He lands on a zeppelin, and is grabbed by a drone. The drone carries him through the air before crashing into the ground, after which Bruce runs through the city to a woman who shows him a different world. In this vision, a young version of Bruce (who looks more like him than the older one) takes the test tube and throws it at the screen. The vision explodes and a giant Eddie stands up and begins to destroy the city. The camera zooms out, and a larger Eddie is revealed to be holding the planet, and throws it at the screen, ending the video.

The second version features the band recording the song in studio 1 of Sarm Studios, West London, UK. Portions of this video appear on the first version.

Track listings

US CD single

1. "Different World" (Adrian Smith, Steve Harris) – 4:15
2. "Hallowed Be Thy Name (Radio 1 'Legends' Session)" (Harris) – 7:13
3. "The Trooper (Radio 1 'Legends' Session)" (Harris) – 3:56

Digital single

The interview with Steve Harris was only available if pre-ordered before 26 December 2006 through the Iron Maiden website.

1. "Different World" (Recorded live in Aalborg on the A Matter of Life and Death tour, 9 November 2006) (Smith, Harris) – 4:18
2. Interview with Steve Harris on A Matter of Life and Death – 10:38

European CD single

1. "Different World" (Smith, Harris) – 4:15
2. "Iron Maiden" (Recorded live in Copenhagen on the A Matter of Life and Death tour, 10 November 2006) (Harris) – 5:40

European DVD single

1. "Different World" (Smith, Harris) – 4:17
2. "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" (Recorded live in Copenhagen on the A Matter of Life and Death tour, 10 November 2006) (Dave Murray, Harris) – 7:47
3. "Hocus Pocus" (Thijs van Leer, Jan Akkerman; Focus cover) – 5:31

European 7" picture disc

1. "Different World" (Smith, Harris) – 4:15
2. "Fear of the Dark" (Recorded live in Copenhagen on the A Matter of Life and Death tour, 10 November 2006) (Harris) – 7:47

Iron Maiden "Wildest Dreams (Single & Video)"

"Wildest Dreams" is a song by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 1 September 2003 as the lead single from their 13th studio album, Dance of Death (2003). It was written by guitarist Adrian Smith and bassist Steve Harris, and produced by Kevin Shirley and Harris.

The band began performing the song in concert before the album was released. The single also includes an improvisational jam from the Dance of Death sessions. The song was again played on The Final Frontier World Tour.

The music video is a computer animated short, where the band members drive around a desolate planet and into the mouth of Eddie (as depicted on the CD single cover).

The guitar solo in "Wildest Dreams" is played by Adrian Smith.

It is also unique in the release of a DVD single at the same time as the CD single, the first time this was done by the band.

The single was released as a 7" Green Vinyl Limited Edition with two tracks; A CD maxi-single with three tracks on it; Then for the first time a DVD version of the title track as a single which also had a behind the scenes.

Track listing

CD single

1. "Wildest Dreams" (Adrian Smith, Steve Harris) – 3:49
2. "Pass the Jam" (Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Harris, Nicko McBrain, Dave Murray, Smith) – 8:20
3. "Blood Brothers" (Orchestral Mix) (Harris) - 7:10

7" Green Vinyl

1. A1 - "Wildest Dreams" (Smith, Harris) – 3:49
2. B2 - "Pass the Jam" (Dickinson, Gers, Harris, McBrain, Murray, Smith) – 8:20

DVD single

1. "Wildest Dreams" (promo video) (Smith, Harris) – 3:49
2. "The Nomad" (rock mix) (Murray, Harris) - 9:01
3. "Blood Brothers" (rock mix) (Harris) - 7:10
4. "Dance of Death – Behind the Scenes" (video) - 2:00

Japanese CD single

1. "Wildest Dreams" (promo video) (Smith, Harris) – 3:49
2. "Pass the Jam" (Dickinson, Gers, Harris, McBrain, Murray, Smith) - 8:20
3. "Blood Brothers" (rock mix) (Harris) - 7:10
4. "Blood Brothers" (orchestral Mix) (Harris) - 7:10

Iron Maiden "Rainmaker (Single & Video)"

"Rainmaker" is the 37th single by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 24 November 2003 as the second single from their 13th studio album, Dance of Death (2003). It was written by Dave Murray, Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson, and produced by Harris and Kevin Shirley.

The song was largely written by long-time guitarist Dave Murray. The lyrics were inspired by vocalist Bruce Dickinson's comment that the intro riff made him think of raindrops. The song has no connection with the 1995 novel written by John Grisham of the same name.

The guitar solo in "Rainmaker" is played by Dave Murray.

The cover is a still taken from the music video directed by Howard Greenhalgh. This single also contains a double-sided poster.

"More Tea Vicar" is a recording of a jam session (similar to "Pass the Jam") with Bruce Dickinson trying his hand at rapping, which is clearly a parody of the genre.

Track listing

CD single

1. "Rainmaker" (Dave Murray, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson) – 3:48
2. "Dance of Death (orchestral version)" (Janick Gers, Harris) – 8:37
3. "More Tea Vicar" (Dickinson, Gers, Harris, Nicko McBrain, Murray, Adrian Smith) – 4:37

Japanese CD

1. "Rainmaker" (Murray, Harris, Dickinson) – 3:48
2. "Dance of Death (orchestral version)" (Gers, Harris) – 8:37
3. "More Tea Vicar" (Dickinson, Gers, Harris, McBrain, Murray, Smith) – 4:37
4. "The Wicker Man (Live at Brixton Academy, London - 19–21 March 2002)" - 4:38
5. "Children of the Damned (Live at Brixton Academy, London - 19–21 March 2002)" - 5:02

Japanese CD Extras:

1. "Rainmaker" (Video) - 3:50
2. "Wildest Dreams" (Video) - 3:39

Pock iT! Mini CD

1. "Rainmaker" (Murray, Harris, Dickinson) – 3:48
2. "Dance of Death (orchestral version)" (Gers, Harris) – 8:37

7" Vinyl

1. "Rainmaker" (Murray, Harris, Dickinson) – 3:48
2. "Dance of Death (orchestral version)" (Gers, Harris) – 8:37

DVD

1. "Rainmaker" (video) (Murray, Harris, Dickinson) – 3:48
2. "The Wicker Man (Live at Brixton Academy, London - 19–21 March 2002)" (Smith, Harris, Dickinson) - 4:35
3. "Children of the Damned (Live at Brixton Academy, London - 19–21 March 2002)" (Harris) - 5:03
4. "Rainmaker Video – The Making Of"

Iron Maiden "The Wicker Man (Single & Video)"

"The Wicker Man" is a song by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 8 May 2000 as the first single and opening track from their twelfth studio album, Brave New World (2000). It preceded the release of Brave New World by three weeks. It is also the first single by the band since 1989's single Infinite Dreams to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith returning to the band in 1999. It was co-written by Smith, Dickinson and Steve Harris. It was co-produced by Kevin Shirley and Harris. The title is inspired by the British cult film of the same name. The song should not be confused with "Wicker Man" from Dickinson's solo career, the lyrics of which are more closely themed around the film. The latter song can be found on the 2 disc edition of The Best of Bruce Dickinson.

According to Dickinson, 'The Wicker Man' initially started off as a riff that Adrian Smith was "bouncing around with". Dickinson thought that the riff sounded good and he began to add a catchy melody to the song. Then Steve Harris began to play along to the riff. Dickinson stated that the song was written without even trying to get a single-length track. It was also the first song that the band rehearsed together since the return of Dickinson and Smith. Dickinson said the process of writing the lyrics attempted to get "the same vibe I get when I stand onstage in front of all these people and they start singing and chanting with you".

The radio version of the song differs from the album track, with the chorus' first and third line "Your time will come" followed by the line, "Thy will be done", and the last line is followed by "Don't turn, don't run." This is the case for every chorus except for the third chorus in which the third line is followed by "I'll be the gun" and the fourth line is followed by "Burn on my son." This version is considered extremely rare.

The single's cover art was by Mark Wilkinson, after a piece by the famed artist Derek Riggs was rejected. This was the last piece Riggs would create for Iron Maiden, until Flight 666, reasoning that they were too hard to work with. This art work was used for the picture vinyl disc and various minor pressings.

In 2001, the song was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category "Best Metal Performance" but lost to "Elite" by Deftones.

This song was also included as a playable song in game Rock Band Blitz.

The Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League have used a portion of The Wicker Man as their goal celebration song starting in the 2011-12 season, up through the 2017-18 season.

A limited edition of "The Wicker Man" was also released. The limited edition contained 2 CDs and a double-faced poster, as well as a selection of live songs recorded during the Ed Hunter Tour. The European release of the single also contained a beermat.

CD 1 had a picture of the band on the cover of the cd the same as the single cover; CD 2 was clear with a picture of the "Wicker Man" on the cd.

The 12" LP Picture Disc had the "Wicker Man" on the A side and the people with animal masks on the B side.

Track listing

Standard edition

1. "The Wicker Man" (Adrian Smith, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson) – 4:35
2. "Futureal (live - Helsinki Ice Hall, Finland 15 September 1999)" (Harris, Blaze Bayley) – 2:58
3. "Man on the Edge (live - Filaforum, Milano, Italy 23 September 1999)" (Bayley, Janick Gers) – 4:37
4. "The Wicker Man (video)" (Smith, Harris, Dickinson) – 4:35

Limited Edition Disc 1

1. "The Wicker Man" (Smith, Harris, Dickinson) – 4:35
2. "Man on the Edge (live - Filaforum, Milano, Italy 23 September 1999)" (Bayley, Gers) – 4:37
3. "Powerslave" (live - Palau Olimpico, Barcelona, Spain 25 September 1999) (Dickinson) – 7:11
4. "The Wicker Man (video)" (Smith, Harris, Dickinson) – 4:35

Limited Edition Disc 2

1. "The Wicker Man" (Smith, Harris, Dickinson) – 4:35
2. "Futureal (live - Helsinki Ice Hall, Finland 15 September 1999)" (Harris, Bayley) – 2:58
3. "Killers (live - Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands 10 September 1999)" (Harris, Paul Di'Anno) – 4:28
4. "Futureal (live video)" (Harris, Bayley) – 2:58

12" Picture Disc LP

1. A1 - "The Wicker Man" (Smith, Harris, Dickinson) – 4:35
2. B1 - "Powerslave" (live - Palau Olimpico, Barcelona, Spain 25 September 1999) (Dickinson) – 7:11
3. B2 - "Killers" (live - Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands 10 September 1999)" (Harris, Di'Anno) – 4:28

Iron Maiden "Lord Of The Flies (Single & Video)"

"Lord of the Flies" is an Iron Maiden single and second track on their 1995 album The X Factor. The song is based on the book and film of the same name.

The single was only released outside of the UK. Additional tracks on the single include covers from UFO and The Who. These tracks were later released in the UK on CD1 of the "Virus" single.

Iron Maiden frequently performed this song live during their Dance of Death tour from 2003–2004, making it one of only 5 Bayley era songs to survive in concerts after his departure (the others being "Man on the Edge", "Sign of the Cross", "Futureal", and "The Clansman"). One such performance of this song is included on Iron Maiden's 2005 live album "Death on the Road".

The guitar solo in "Lord of the Flies" is played by Janick Gers.

Track listing

CD & 12" Single

Side One

1. "Lord of the Flies" Janick Gers, Steve Harris 5:03

Side Two

1. "My Generation" (The Who Cover) Pete Townshend 3:36
2. "Doctor Doctor" (UFO Cover) Michael Schenker, Phil Mogg 4:49

Iron Maiden "Man On The Edge (Single & Video)"

"Man on the Edge" is a single from the Iron Maiden album The X Factor released in 1995. The song is based on the film Falling Down, starring Michael Douglas. It was the first single the band released with Blaze Bayley on vocals.

In addition to an interview with Bayley and another track from The X Factor, the single features three originals that did not make the album's final cut. It is one of two Blaze Bayley era songs to make it onto the Edward the Great compilation, along with "Futureal", as well as one of three to make it onto Best of the Beast along with "Sign of the Cross" and "Virus".

Iron Maiden frequently played this song during the Ed Hunter tour in 1999, making it one of 5 Bayley era songs to survive in concerts after his departure (The others being "Lord of the Flies", "Sign of the Cross", "Futureal", and "The Clansman").

A live version of this song from 1999 is featured on the 2000 single release of "The Wicker Man" and on the compilation From Fear to Eternity from 2011, with Bruce Dickinson on vocals.

There were three videos made for this song. One is filmed on location at Masada, Israel, the second is a more cinematic video of the band performing as a man throws himself off a building, and the third is a 'sneak-peek' promo video consisting only of clips of 'pratfalls' from black and white silent movies was used for promotional purposes prior to release. This third version appears as an 'Easter Egg' on the 'Visions of the Beast' DVD.

The song was featured in the video game Carmageddon 2.

On the cover of CD 1 Eddie's brain has been cut in half, though on CD 2 he still has his brain attached. The 12" Picture Disc was the same as CD 1 though because it moved within the sleeve it could look very different, very much like an "X" in the right position.

Track listing

CD single 1

1. "Man on the Edge" Blaze Bayley/Janick Gers 4:19
2. "The Edge of Darkness"  Steve Harris/Bayley/Gers    6:40
3. "Judgement Day"  Bayley/Gers   4:09
4. "Blaze Bayley Interview - Part I" 5:41

CD single 2

1. "Man on the Edge"   Bayley/Gers   4:19
2. "The Edge of Darkness"   Harris/Bayley/Gers   6:40
3. "Justice of the Peace" Dave Murray/Harris    3:38
4. "Blaze Bayley Interview - Part II" 5:55

12" picture disc

Side one

1. "Man on the Edge"   Bayley/Gers

Side two

1. "The Edge of Darkness"   Harris/Bayley/Gers    6:40
2. "I Live My Way" Harris/Bayley/Gers   3:48

Middle Island, NY metal band Iron Rainbow recorded a cover of Man on the Edge that was featured on the 1998 Metal Injection (A Lethal Dose of Heavy Metal Mayhem) compilation album.

Iron Maiden "From Here To Eternity (Single & Video)"

"From Here to Eternity" is a song by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released as the second single from their album Fear of the Dark, released in 1992.

The song is the third and most recent song in the ongoing saga of "Charlotte the Harlot" (other songs include "Charlotte the Harlot," "22 Acacia Avenue,"). The song tells the tale of Charlotte going on a fateful motorcycle ride with the Devil.

This is the first studio single to not feature Eddie in the artwork - second overall, after the live version of "Running Free" - using a picture of the song's music video instead. The cover of the 7" Etched Disc is the cover most people associate with the single, though the 12" was a very different picture from the clip. The CD Maxi used the 7" etched cover, but a different shot again from the clip is on the Netherlands release of the CD. 

The single was released in several formats: 7" etched disc with the tracks on one side and an image etched into the other; 7" cut to shape picture disc; 12" with fold-out sleeve; and a cd-single. 

It charted and peaked at #21 on the UK Singles Chart. 

"Roll Over Vic Vella" is a cover of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" featuring spoken intro and outro pieces by longtime Iron Maiden roadie and friend Vic Vella talking with Steve Harris. The song appeared on all formats except the 7" shaped picture disc which featured "I Can't See My Feelings", a cover of the Welsh band Budgie from their 1975 album Bandolier. The song didn't appear on any digital format until 1995 when Fear of the Dark was reissued with a bonus CD containing b-sides from the album's singles. The live versions of "Public Enema No One" and "No Prayer for the Dying" on these singles are the only time either has appeared live on any Iron Maiden release. 

Track listing 

7" Etched Single 

Side One 

1. "From Here to Eternity" Steve Harris 3:37 

Side Two

1. "Roll Over Vic Vella" (Chuck Berry Cover) (With Different Lyrics) Berry 4:46 

7" Pictured Single

Side One

1. "From Here to Eternity" Harris 3:37 

Side Two

1. "I Can't See My Feelings" (Budgie Cover) Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge 3:50 

12" Single

Side One

1. "From Here to Eternity" Harris 3:37 

Side Two

1. "Roll Over Vic Vella" (Chuck Berry Cover) (With Different Lyrics) Berry 4:46 
2. "No Prayer for the Dying" (Live at the Wembley Arena, London, England, 17 December 1990) Harris 4:23 

CD-Maxi Single

1. "From Here to Eternity" Harris 3:37 
2. "Roll Over Vic Vella" (Chuck Berry Cover) (With Different Lyrics) Berry 4:46 
3. "Public Enema Number One" (Live at the Wembley Arena, London, England, 17 December 1990) Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray 3:57 
4. "No Prayer for the Dying" (Live at the Wembley Arena, London, England, 17 December 1990) Harris 4:23