The Wicker Man

[karljant]

I must admit that I like the Radio Version of ''The Wicker Man'' too. The different chorus is pretty catchy.

Simply love that version... there's also this one:

Spoiler

 

[karljant]

Now seriously, Running Wild apart The Wicker Man is still one hell of a tune (actually the second best from the album IMO) and gave it a 8.75/10 (so for this pole I round it up to a 9). If they maintained the second vocals on the chorus it would be a straight 9 and the main riff was a bit less... errrr... "familiar" it would be a solid 9.5 (and easily the best track from the lot).

 

[Kalata]

Although I like the original solo of ''The Wicker Man'' a lot, the additional part of it during the LOTB tour fits quite well. Adrian really can't go wrong with this kind of fills... especially live.

 

[Kalata]

While I like Rock in Rio, it's a bit of a shame that became the one and only document of the BNW tour. I can't help but think they were much better throughout the tour.

The whole BNW tour was one of Maiden's best in terms of performances (and setlist too), but the performance in Rock In Rio 2001 is outstanding - it's still Maiden's best concert imo.

 

[TheMercenary]

Happy 23rd anniversary to this very good single.

 

[Jer]

Happy 23rd anniversary to this very good single.

I still prefer the single version with the extra chorus vocals to the version on the album...

 

[Gk1]

23 years later, I still do not get how in the world this is/was a very good single. I was even more disappointed than hearing TXF when this was released.

 

[____no5]

Who knows. Not too bad of a song, not too good either, but after TXF & VXI everything felt a masterpiece!

 

[Kalata]

I’ve always preferred this variant of the song — the extra lines in the chorus fill in the empty space with some neat harmonies, and the mildly annoying two-note guitar bit in the chorus is only used at the end for extra emphasis.

I think the guitar bit under the chorus is needed. It adds to the melodic and catchy approach of the whole song. It feels a bit empty without it, although the song is riffy.

As for the chorus - come to think of it, the additional part (on the radio/promo version of the single) could have been used for its last repeat. I like it both ways anyway. If it was a Bruce solo song, he would have written this different version.

Btw, is this the original version of the song with the extra lines in the chorus? It's an official release by the band, right?

 

[Jer]

Btw, is this the original version of the song with the extra lines in the chorus? It's an official release by the band, right?

It’s the official single version of the song, but I have no idea which version is the “original”. If I had to guess, I’d say the album version is the original and the label said they needed to fill in the chorus gaps for the single, but that’s just speculation.