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Ancient Mariner
this is not a site dedicated to maiden, it's more like a bb, where people can post facts about songs. I went through the list of maiden songs that have been discussed there, and I put everything that hasnt been mentioned here (or ones with views with a twist on some songs) in one doc, so that you don't have to read through the source of inspiration of The Trooper for the hundredth time...
Aces High
Partially inspired by the 1976 war film of the same name starring Malcolm McDowell and Christopher Plummer.
Brave New World
Bruce was reading an article on Japanese cranes under extiction... more specifically, [a href=\'http://www.jinjapan.org/atlas/nature/nat16.html\' target=\'_blank\']Tancho Cranes[/a]
Fear Of The Dark
About a paranoid man who constantly fears that there's someone or something about to spring out at him from the dark as a result of watching horror films and studying the occult. Themes like this appear on much of Maiden's cover art (see: "Sanctuary", "Women in Uniform", "Iron Maiden", "Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter", etc.).
Nyctophobia is the scientific term for the fear of the dark. It is very frequently seen among infants and many adults.
The cover art is rather popular and depicts a tree spirit called a driad
Flight Of Icarus
A retelling of the classic Greek myth of Icarus' flight, but with a twist. In the original, Deadallus and his son, Icarus, escape King Minos' prison by building wax wings and flying away on them. Deadallus warns Icarus not to fly too high, but the cocky teen rebels, his wings melt, and he plummets to his death in what is now called "The Icarian Sea" (he was reportedly buried by Hercules). In the song, Deadallus watches from the ground, and his advice to his son is to "fly and touch the sun." The now obedient Icarus does so, and realizes his father tricked him just before his wings melt.
Hooks In You
This is part of "The Charlotte saga," a series of songs about a prostitute. It's the sequel to "Charlotte the Harlot" and "22 Acacia Avenue." The song's narrator acknowledges her residence as being at "numer twenty-two," so we know the girl in the song is Charlotte. No, we didn't! At the end of the song the guy thinks his wife has been unfaithful and sets her in concrete in the foundations
Iron Maiden
Steve Harris thought "Iron Maiden" could also be a description of a cold-blooded woman (Indeed, Margaret Thatcher's nickname was "Iron Maiden," she appeared on some single covers). The song describes such a damsel, who seduces men into her bedroom to show off her "wares" (torture devices) and proceeds to kill them in an Iron Maiden.
Powerslave
About an arrogant Pharaoh in his dying hours. Because he's been raised to think he's a god, he can't understand why he's about to die and fights it in vain. He also feels overwhelmed by the power of death, and thinks sardonically about his heir. Just before he dies, he promises to return as a mummy.
Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Inspired by a series of science fiction novels by Orson Scott Card. They are about Alvin Maker, the seventh son of a seventh son (the first book in the series is called Seventh Son), who is born with second sight and the ability to use "folk magic" in an alternate reality. The song describes how his birth was eagerly anticipated by his siblings and how the forces of good and evil struggled over him. Seven is the Hebrew and Biblical number of perfection. According to the mythology about the "seventh son of a seventh son," Septamus is supposed to be the Christian name of such a child. When Kerrang! magazine gave lead singer Bruce Dickinson a quiz that included the question "Which Christian name are you traditionally supposed to give to a seventh son of a seventh son?" his answer was "Steve". He ultimately scored 16 out of 25, although Kerrang! gave him "a slap on the wrist for not knowing the 'seventh son of a seventh son' one!
Aces High
Partially inspired by the 1976 war film of the same name starring Malcolm McDowell and Christopher Plummer.
Brave New World
Bruce was reading an article on Japanese cranes under extiction... more specifically, [a href=\'http://www.jinjapan.org/atlas/nature/nat16.html\' target=\'_blank\']Tancho Cranes[/a]
Fear Of The Dark
About a paranoid man who constantly fears that there's someone or something about to spring out at him from the dark as a result of watching horror films and studying the occult. Themes like this appear on much of Maiden's cover art (see: "Sanctuary", "Women in Uniform", "Iron Maiden", "Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter", etc.).
Nyctophobia is the scientific term for the fear of the dark. It is very frequently seen among infants and many adults.
The cover art is rather popular and depicts a tree spirit called a driad
Flight Of Icarus
A retelling of the classic Greek myth of Icarus' flight, but with a twist. In the original, Deadallus and his son, Icarus, escape King Minos' prison by building wax wings and flying away on them. Deadallus warns Icarus not to fly too high, but the cocky teen rebels, his wings melt, and he plummets to his death in what is now called "The Icarian Sea" (he was reportedly buried by Hercules). In the song, Deadallus watches from the ground, and his advice to his son is to "fly and touch the sun." The now obedient Icarus does so, and realizes his father tricked him just before his wings melt.
Hooks In You
This is part of "The Charlotte saga," a series of songs about a prostitute. It's the sequel to "Charlotte the Harlot" and "22 Acacia Avenue." The song's narrator acknowledges her residence as being at "numer twenty-two," so we know the girl in the song is Charlotte. No, we didn't! At the end of the song the guy thinks his wife has been unfaithful and sets her in concrete in the foundations
Iron Maiden
Steve Harris thought "Iron Maiden" could also be a description of a cold-blooded woman (Indeed, Margaret Thatcher's nickname was "Iron Maiden," she appeared on some single covers). The song describes such a damsel, who seduces men into her bedroom to show off her "wares" (torture devices) and proceeds to kill them in an Iron Maiden.
Powerslave
About an arrogant Pharaoh in his dying hours. Because he's been raised to think he's a god, he can't understand why he's about to die and fights it in vain. He also feels overwhelmed by the power of death, and thinks sardonically about his heir. Just before he dies, he promises to return as a mummy.
Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Inspired by a series of science fiction novels by Orson Scott Card. They are about Alvin Maker, the seventh son of a seventh son (the first book in the series is called Seventh Son), who is born with second sight and the ability to use "folk magic" in an alternate reality. The song describes how his birth was eagerly anticipated by his siblings and how the forces of good and evil struggled over him. Seven is the Hebrew and Biblical number of perfection. According to the mythology about the "seventh son of a seventh son," Septamus is supposed to be the Christian name of such a child. When Kerrang! magazine gave lead singer Bruce Dickinson a quiz that included the question "Which Christian name are you traditionally supposed to give to a seventh son of a seventh son?" his answer was "Steve". He ultimately scored 16 out of 25, although Kerrang! gave him "a slap on the wrist for not knowing the 'seventh son of a seventh son' one!