Killers (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Killers" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Song by Iron Maiden | ||
| from the album Killers | ||
| Released | March 1981 (UK) June, 1981 (US) |
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| Recorded | Battery Studios, 1980 | |
| Genre | Heavy Metal | |
| Length | 5:01 | |
| Label | EMI | |
| Writer(s) | Steve Harris / Paul Di'Anno | |
| Producer(s) | Martin "Headmaster" Birch | |
| Killers track listing | ||
| Innocent Exile (6) |
"Killers" (7) |
Prodigal Son (8) |
"Killers" is the title-track for the second album by Iron Maiden. The song (like much of the album) was written by Steve Harris though Paul Di'Anno created the very earliest version of the song's lyrics that appeared at the famous Live at the Rainbow concert (the band's first live video release). This early version sounds very different and the final song was very much rewritten for the album-release.
Paul and Steve admitted in an interview that "Killers" was originally going to be an instrumental piece (similar to "Transylvania", "The Ides of March", "Genghis Khan" and "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)") and the first version of the song was actually penned at the backstage of Rainbow at the last second.
The song is told from the view-point of a psychotic killer, an axe-murderer (as depicted on the album cover), it is often cited as one of the most famous early Maiden songs from the second album (along with "Wrathchild" and "Murders in the Rue Morgue"). Musically the most notable part of the song is clearly the intro bassline, although the song also has a very well written solo with both guitarists taking a section.
