Flight of Icarus
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| "Flight of Icarus" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Iron Maiden | ||
| from the album Piece of Mind | ||
| B-side(s) | "I've Got the Fire" | |
| Released | 11 April 1983 | |
| Recorded | 1982 | |
| Genre | Heavy metal | |
| Length | 3:49 | |
| Label | EMI | |
| Writer(s) | Adrian Smith Bruce Dickinson |
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| Chart positions | ||
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| Iron Maiden singles chronology | ||
| "The Number of the Beast" (1982) |
"Flight of Icarus" (1983) |
"The Trooper" (1983) |
"Flight of Icarus" is a 1983 song by Iron Maiden. It is the band's eighth single and the first from the Piece of Mind album. It was the first single by Iron Maiden that was released in the United States. It was also the only Iron Maiden single to receive much airplay in the U.S., guaranteeing it a spot in the 1983 Rock Radio charts. "Flight of Icarus" also made it into the UK charts.
The song is loosely based on the ancient Greek myth of Icarus who was imprisoned with his father Daedalus in the Labyrinth on Crete. So the pair fabricated wings for themselves from feathers and wax. Unfortunately Icarus, not heeding the advice of his father, flew too close to the sun, melting the wax that held the feathers together and thus fell to his death in the sea. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson admits that he had modified the original tale to make it an allegory of teenage rebellion against adult authority (which caused the death of Icarus in this case).
Bassist Steve Harris feels that the studio version should have been played faster, so they play it faster live. "This little extra touch gives it a bit more fire" says the bassist and founder of Iron Maiden.
The first solo in "Flight of Icarus" is played by Dave Murray whilst the second solo is played by Adrian Smith. The ending solo is played by Dave Murray.
"I've Got the Fire" is a cover of the song "I Got the Fire" from the Montrose album Paper Money in 1974. This is, in fact, the second time the song has appeared as a B-side. It first appeared as a B-side to the Sanctuary single. However, instead of a live recording, this is a proper studio production.
| "Flight of Icarus" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by Iron Maiden | ||
| from the album Piece of Mind | ||
| Genre | Metal | |
| Length | 3:51 | |
| Piece of Mind track listing | ||
| "Flight of Icarus" (3) |
Die with Your Boots On (4) |
|
[edit] Track listing
- "Flight of Icarus" (Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson) - 3:49
- "I've Got the Fire" (Montrose) - 3:53
[edit] Numbers from the Beast version
The song can also be found as an all-star cover version on the tribute album Numbers from the Beast featuring Ripper Owens on vocals, Doug Aldrich on guitars, Jimmy Bain on bass, and Simon Wright on drums. This version follows the basic configuration of the original composition but departs in terms of the form of the guitar solo.
[edit] Credits
- Bruce Dickinson - vocals
- Dave Murray - guitar
- Adrian Smith - guitar, backing vocals
- Steve Harris - bass guitar, backing vocals
- Nicko McBrain - drums
