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The famous "Flight of Icarus" was released during April of that 1983 which saw the band's international success and the release of another of their most famous singles: the renowned "The Trooper" (which we won't discuss here). Extracted from the album "Piece of Mind" in its support, it was mainly intended for the U.S. market, where the band had not yet achieved success comparable to that in Europe. Consequently, the track embraces the classic sound of those years and is quite standard, without denoting too much inventiveness or peaks of creativity.
"Flight of Icarus" is a track with a rather slow and almost dragged pace that perks up the ears during the catchy chorus (but nothing more), but especially during Dave Murray's excellent solo and its ideal continuation by Adrian. Dickinson is still at his best and demonstrates it magnificently. It is neither a masterpiece nor one of the best tracks on "Piece of Mind," but it allows Maiden to gain good popularity even on American soil.
With a faster pace and more conviction in the overall groove of the whole song, "Flight of Icarus" could have achieved a better success that would have significantly impacted the quality of the album (which in my opinion remains the least inspired and decisive of the '80s records, due to a smoothed and dull production). Nonetheless, a quality song.
The b-side is this time a very interesting cover: "I Got the Fire" by Montrose; well-executed and lively, it enjoys a good performance from everyone and engages the listener even without the original's energy, a good second track that will please fans of Harris and co.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Flight Of Icarus (00:00)
As the sun breaks, above the ground,
An old man stands on the hill,
As the ground warms, to the first rays of light
A birdsong shatters the still.
His eyes are a blaze,
See the madman in his gaze.
Fly, on your way, like an eagle,
Fly as high as the sun,
On your way, like an eagle,
Fly and touch the sun.
Now the crowd breaks and a young boy appears
Looks the old man in the eye
As he spreads his wings and shouts at the crowd
In the name of God my father I'll fly.
His eyes seem so glazed
As he flies on the wings of a dream,
Now he knows his father betrayed
Now his wings turn to ashes to ashes his grave.
Fly, on your way, like an eagle,
Fly as high as the sun,
On your way, like an eagle,
Fly, touch the sun.
02 I've Got The Fire (00:00)
If you're lookin' for someone that you can keep
Well, baby pass me by.
And if you want something that's twenty years deep
Baby, don't even try.
But if you want someone to take your soul
Maybe lift you a little bit higher...
I got the fire
Just 'cuz I'm skinny, don't you sell me cheap
I'm as long as a country mile.
Well some like it wide and some like it deep
And guess which one's my style!
If you think you can beat me at my own game
Well baby, I say you're a liar.
Well, I got the fire
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