One of the lyrics in "The Clairvoyant"

lcarus

lcarus

Prowler
Something has always bothered me about that song.  I love the song, dont' get me wrong, and I listen to it all the time.  But there's one thing that always makes me wonder.  The line "but for all his power, couldn't foresee his own demise" always bugs me when there's that pause after "couldn't".  It always makes me think it's one syllable short of being perfect, and that's the most powerful line in the song in my opinion.  I'm not complaining really, because like I said it's still a great song, but I was curious if anyone else felt the same way.
 
I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. It actually works really well as a pregnant pause and gives gravity to the last line.
 
Ok, I'm joining the "Maiden do everything perfectly" brigade for this because I really love that line because of the way it's sang, including the pause.
 
The thing is this: its art.  It's hard to grade.  Sure, we, the metal heads, head bangers, connoisseurs of the philosophy of heavy metal music, all contribute to what is 'good' and what is 'bad' metal.  Beyond that, especially with how a lyric is sung, it gets subjective.  How can someone critique a painting from a master?  Sure, we can all look at it, say 'if he did this or that', but the thing is the artist does as they desire, and we enjoy it.
 
Of course art is subjective, but there are times when the lyrics really don't flow particularly well. This just doesn't seem to be one of those times. Quite the opposite actually. For the Greater Good of God for example: For all it's greatness and even though it's one of my favorite Iron Maiden songs, has some awkward phrases.
 
And I am completely meh, because I never liked "The Clairvoyant". Totally subjective.
 
snake plissken said:
Oh joy, another "defect" thread  ::)
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I don't be any means think it's a defect.  It's just a personal thing.  Like when I sing the song to myself I always want to put another syllable in there.  The song is perfect, just wondering if there was anyone else that knew what I was talking about.
 
Well you could always listen to the Donnington '92 version (I think), where Bruce sings it "But for all his power, could not foresee his own demise. :D
 
I never gave that pause any thought before. Which I suppose means one or both of these are true:

1. It's perfectly fine. It must be, or I would have thought about it before.

2. It's completely insignificant. Seriously, are we having a thread about a one-beat rest in the vocal melody, in a song over two decades old?

But thanks for drawing my attention to that now. What used to be just another good part of another good song, is now something that will distract me from now on. Really, thanks for that. :smartarse:
 
SinisterMinisterX said:
I never gave that pause any thought before. Which I suppose means one or both of these are true:

1. It's perfectly fine. It must be, or I would have thought about it before.

2. It's completely insignificant. Seriously, are we having a thread about a one-beat rest in the vocal melody, in a song over two decades old?

But thanks for drawing my attention to that now. What used to be just another good part of another good song, is now something that will distract me from now on. Really, thanks for that. :smartarse:
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You are welcome.  :ok:
 
Well as leader of the "Maiden do everything perfect brigade"  I say the pause kicks A$$!!!  I know you are just making conversation here and not bagging on anything from Seventh Son. 
 
Sincerely, I always thought that that 'couldn't' with that sudden pause added a lot to the drama of the carachter.
 
I had never paid attention to it, but now you mentioned it, I instantly knew what you were talking about.  And it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
 
I think it'd be different if the off timing of the vocal caused the music to go askew, but that isn't the case.  Bruce is the master of playing with vocal timing while still staying in the rhythm of the song.
 
chaosapiant said:
I think it'd be different if the off timing of the vocal caused the music to go askew, but that isn't the case.  Bruce is the master of playing with vocal timing while still staying in the rhythm of the song.
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See the intro to Starblind for a great example of this. 
 
Hi All, I'm new on here, may aswell start here. I love the pause, it's one of my favourite moments on the album  :shred:
 
p4warrior said:
See the intro to Starblind for a great example of this. 
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Or, for more of the same, Brighter Than A Thousand Suns. But for both this and Starblind, the vocal line was obviously written this way - so that it has a different rhythmic feel than the guitar riff.
 
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