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Rating: Some people say "enough with the usual Maiden reviews"? Well, let me oblige. Instead, I present to you one completely different from the "usual" ones, as it does not concern an album produced by the band, but the cover of "Somewhere In Time." Designed by Derek Riggs, it can be considered the best, as it encapsulates the entire history of Maiden up to that album. Sure, if we look at it superficially, it won't seem much different from the others we already know (the good old Eddie occupying a prominent space, inspiring a bit of disgust, horror, and at the same time, fascination). But if we look closely, we can truly fall into a trance, it’s like living in this futuristic world, and one has the sensation of not being able to get out. This is due to the multitude of elements and details within the scene. So let's leave Eddie aside and focus on these details.
Not knowing where to begin, I would say let's analyze the left page of the cover and the inscription "Aces High Bar," in a skyscraper at the top left. A bit higher, a plane older than the other aircraft on the cover flies, also meant to commemorate the song (and the single). On the opposite side, at the top right, there is a winged man who is falling (what better way to depict the flight, or rather, the fall of Icarus, from which Iron Maiden drew the magnificent "Flight Of Icarus"?). And what about the writings and signs reproduced in the landscape? Many of them cite past hits or foundations of the band, such as "Phantom Opera House," already mentioned, "Live After Death," "Ancient Mariner Seafood Restaurant," the digital clock showing 23:58 ("2 Minutes To Midnight"); or other signs that keep memories of important places for the band, such as "Long Beach Arena," where the first major Live was recorded ("Live After Death," precisely), "Ruskin Arms," where they debuted in front of a small audience (the patrons of the London pub), "Rainbow," etc. Much more visible, instead, is the pharaonic scenario that presents itself as the background of the city (in the center). Let's also consider the five "little men" a bit off to the side in the image, with Dickinson holding some brains (but doesn't it remind you of "Piece Of Mind"?). And have you noticed - breathtaking detail - the scrolling text in the center with the inscription "latest results... ... west ham 7 ... ... arsenal 3"? West Ham is the name under which bassist Steve Harris played when he was young (his passion for football is well known, isn't it?).
We have other details on the right side of the cover, which I haven't commented on (and I will say little about it, as there is less to say than on the left side), such as the inscription "Acacia," which would cite the song "22 Acacia Avenue" and, just below, a poster defaced by some vandal who wanted to pay homage to the mythical mascot Eddie.
Having said this, I admit that while you struggle to find new elements to add to the long list (I haven't mentioned them all, for example, I didn't talk about death watching the five "bad boys"), you realize that you could get lost in that immensity, and that each label you see, even the most insignificant ones (unless someone manages to find one), makes you invent an event of history that has nothing to do with it or that has not yet occurred. To give an example, the inscription "Ooke," or something similar, brought to mind - due to the pronunciation - the song "Hooks In You." Only later did I realize it was released in 1990 ("Somewhere In Time" is from 1986).
One more thing: if you, dear readers, happen to find components of the cover that I haven't talked about, you are absolutely free to let me know.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Caught Somewhere in Time (07:25)
If you had the time to lose,
An open mind and time to choose,
Would you care to take a look,
Or can you read me like a book?
Time is always on my side,
Time is always on my side.
Can I tempt you, come with me,
Be Devil may care, fulfill your dream,
If I said I'd take you there,
Would you go, would you be scared?
Time is always on my side,
Time is always on my side.
Don't be afraid, you're safe with me,
Safe as any soul can be ... honestly,
Just let yourself go.
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time ... oh oh
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing,
You try to hide your deepest sins,
Of all the things that you've done wrong,
And I know where you belong.
Time is always on my side,
Time is always on my side.
Make you an offer you can't refuse,
You've only got your soul to lose...
Eternally...Just let yourself go!
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught now in two minds!
02 Wasted Years (05:07)
From the coast of gold, across the seven seas
I'm travellin' on, far and wide
But now it seems, I'm just a stranger to myself
And all the things I sometimes do, it isn't me but someone else
I close my eyes, and think of home
Another city goes by, in the night
Ain't it funny how it is, you never miss it 'til it's gone away
And my heart is lying there and will be 'til my dying day
Chorus:
So understand
Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years
Face up... make your stand
And realise you're living in the golden years
Too much time on my hands, I got you on my mind
Can't ease this pain, so easily
When you can't find the words to say, it's hard to make it through another day
And it makes me wanna cry, and throw my hands up to the sky
[Repeat chorus x 2]
Face up... make your stand
And realise you're living in the golden years
04 Heaven Can Wait (07:21)
Can't understand what is happening to me,
This isn't real, this is only a dream,
But I never have felt, no I never have felt this way before,
I'm looking down on my body below,
I lie asleep in the midst of a dream,
Is it now could it be that the angel of death has come for me?
I can't believe that really my time has come,
I don't feel ready, there's so much left undone,
And it's my soul and I'm not gonna let it get away.
Chorus:
Heaven can wait,
Heaven can wait,
Heaven can wait,
Heaven can wait til another day.
[Repeat chorus]
I have a lust for the Earth below
And Hell itself is my only foe,
'Cause I've no fear of dying,
I'll go when I'm good and ready,
I snatch a glimpse of the light's eternal rays,
I see a tunnel, I stand amazed,
At all of the people standing there in front of me,
Into the paths of rightness I'll be led,
Is this the place where the living join the dead?
I wish I knew this was only just a nightmare.
[Chorus *2]
Take my hand, I'll lead you to the promised land,
Take my hand, I'll give you immortality,
Eternal youth, I'll take you to the other side,
To see the truth, the path for you is decided.
Oh Oh * lots.
My body tingles, I feel so strange,
I feel so tired, I feel so drained,
And I'm wondering if I'll ever be the same again,
Is this in limbo or in Heaven or Hell?
Maybe I'm going down there as well,
I can't accept my soul will drift forever.
I feel myself floating back down to Earth,
So could this be the hour of my rebirth?
Or have I died or will I wake from dreaming?
[Chorus]
05 The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (06:31)
(Harris)
Tough of the track,
With the wind,
And the rain that's beating down on your back.
Your heart's beating loud
And goes on getting louder
And goes on even more till the sound
Is ringing in your head,
With every step you tread,
And every breath you take,
Determination makes
You run,
Never stop,
Gotta win, gotta run till you drop,
Keep the pace,
Hold the race,
Your mind is getting clearer,
You're over halfway there but the miles
Just never seem to end
As if you're in a dream,
Not getting anywhere.
It seems so futile.
Chorus:
Run, on and on,
Run, on and on,
The loneliness of the long distance runner.
I've got to keep running the course,
I've got to keep running and win at all costs,
I've got to keep going, be strong,
Must be so determined and push myself on.
Run over stiles, across fields,
Turn to look at who's on your heels,
Way ahead of the field,
The line is getting nearer but do
You want the glory that goes,
You reach the final stretch,
Ideals are just a trace,
You feel like throwing the race,
It's all so futile.
Chorus:
Run, on and on,
Run, on and on,
The loneliness of the long distance runner.
07 Deja-Vu (04:56)
(Murray/Harris)
When you see familiar faces,
But you don't remember where they're from,
Could you be wrong?
When you've been particular places,
That you know you've never been before,
Can you be sure?
'Cause you know this has happened before,
And you know that this moment in time is for real,
And you know when you feel Deja vu.
Chorus:
Feel like I've been here before,
Feel like I've been here before.
Ever had a conversation,
That you realise you've had before,
Isn't it strange?
Have you ever talked to someone,
And you feel you know what's coming next?
It feels pre-arranged.
'Cause you know that you've heard it before,
And you feel that this moment in time is surreal,
'Cause you know when you feel deja-vu.
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Other reviews
By velvetunderground
Iron is like a sea, an ocean of sounds, of shivers, and the swimmer has no choice but to dive in and swim, swim, swim...
Alexander The Great, (just to name one)... a hard rock, dark, (grotesque) a crystal-clear tunnel, horrid... (fortunately pieces like this exist in music, in history, in life)
By MetallAro
The album offers many and original experimentations, starting from the introduction of background keyboards.
I sing, or rather shout the chorus at the top of my lungs, while my parents worriedly call 911.
By juve in B
'Wasted Years' washes away any bitterness: a masterpiece written in collaboration by Adrian Smith.
'Alexander the Great' ... the best song on the album, unfortunately never played live.
By pepozzo
The first track 'Caught Somewhere in Time' catapults us into a futuristic universe with keyboards and synthesized guitars.
'Wasted Years' is a concentrate of emotions, with choruses wonderfully sung by a Dickinson in top form.
By Adrian
"This is it. This is the thought I have matured after listening... they made 'Somewhere In Time'."
"One of the reasons why I consider this album the group’s most successful is precisely the eighth and final track: 'Alexander the Great.'"
