Sometimes Maiden plays songs differently, why is this?

D

Dantif3r

Prowler
Ive noticed that sometimes Maiden do not play some of their songs the same way they are on the studio versions.

The biggest example of this that I noticed was the song Killers. If you heard them play Killers at Hammersmith '82, then watch them play it at Maiden England, then at several shows they had in 1999. You will notice that they are all played alittle differently. Mostly the 1999 versions, where Bruce even seems to switch up the lyrics.

Another example is Where Eagles Dare. I cant remember what show it was exactly (I think it was in 1993) but they played a shorter version of it, as Bruce didnt even sing some of the lyrics.

Why is this? Do they just want to switch it up a bit so it doesnt get boring?

Im actually going to try to find some more examples..  :innocent:
 
Almost all bands do this. There are many reasons, either because they cannot actually reproduce the studio version (be it because of lack of actual skill or because they used effects they can't recreate without more members or whatever), they feel they can improve bits, they feel like changing the lyrics for a specific reason or whatever.

Usually, the main reason is that they feel it sounds better or is easier to play. Dave changes a lot of his solos quite often, his Trooper solo is a lot different nowadays and I suspect he just prefers playing it that way rather than all those whammy notes.
Sometimes bands change lyrics for comedic effect, such as The Beatles playing Get Back a 2nd time on the rooftop with altered lyrics to make fun of the police complaining about the noise. Or the "Crumpets of Jericho" from Scream for me Brazil.

There's also the effect of adrenalin, etc, where the band plays the song faster overall anyway.
 
Try to listen to the album version of Hallowed Be Thy Name, and then listen to a recent live version. It's really different! They play it so much faster, Dave changes his solo, Janick plays a solo instead of Adrian (which has caused some 'mixed' reactions) and Bruce changes his vocal melodies a bit. I'm not saying the changes are 'bad', but it's certantly different.

I like how they changed Sanctuary live though!
 
it's not a big deal imho .. all and all, the band still deliver the song at least 99% the same as it's studio version provided just pushing it for a few seconds faster but, its normal really! as long as they didn't re-arrange the song for a completely different stuff just like the other 80s band for the sake of to "stay current" or to suit to the "latest musical trends" or the worst, to medley-ed it (i hate medleys!!!!!), then i've no problem at all!!!
 
I remember I used to HATE how Bruce sang Sanctuary live. I remember that Paul alaways sang ''Sanctuary from the law-oooh'' on the album, but Bruce sang ''Sanctuary from the law-yeah''. That little detail annoyed me, but I'm over it.
 
And let's not foget the differences in Nicko and Clive's playing. I've been going back between Beast Over Hammersmith and Flight 666 for the past 2 weeks and the differences are especially noticed in Run to the Hills and Hallowed.

Oh yeah, that and the complete lack of "Scream for me...." every few minutes.
 
Nevertheless, Beast over Hammersmith is one of the best gigs ever captured on a record.
 
The choosing of guns or fighting with swords the choice of weapons is done.

(Swords, of course. Guns are for pussies.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top