12 WASTED YEARS

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(1987)

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From their conception in London's East End in 1975, to signing with EMI in December 1979, to playing major stadiums all round the world in the eighties, Maiden's progress to the top of the rock world has always been stylish, interesting and LOUD. This video follows the path with interviews and live footage which have rarely been seen before. Home videos from the very beginning at the Ruskin Arms, early Marquee performances, footage from the Beast On The Road Tour, right through to their latest colossal world tour, interspersed with personal interviews with the band and key figures in the Maiden story.

 

 

  Stranger In A Strange Land  
  Charlotte The Harlot  
  Running Free  
  Women In Uniform  
  Murders In The Rue Morgue  
  Children Of The Damned  
  The Number Of The Beast  
  Total Eclipse  
  Iron Maiden  
  Sanctuary  
  The Prisoner  
  22 Acacia Avenue  
  Wasted Years  
  The Trooper  

 

STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND

(Smith)

Was many years ago that I left home and came this way
I was a young man full of hopes and dreams
But now it seems that all is lost and nothing gained
Sometimes things ain't what they seem
No brave new world, no brave new world
Night and day I scan horizon sea and sky
My spirit wanders endlessly
Until the day will dawn and friends from home discover why
Hear me calling rescue me
Set me free, set me free
Lost in this place and leave no trace
Stranger in a strange land
Land of ice and snow
Trapped inside this prison
Lost and far from home
One hundred years have gone and men again they came that way
To find the answer to the mystery
They found his body lying where it fell that day
Preserved in time for all to see
No brave new world, no brave new world
Lost in this place, to leave no trace
What became of the men that started
All are gone and their souls departed
Left me here in this place
So all alone
Stranger in a strange land
Land of ice and snow
Trapped inside this prison
Lost and far from home
What became of the men that started
All are gone and their souls departed
Left me here in this place
So all alone
Stranger in a strange land
Land of ice and snow
Trapped inside this prison
Lost and far from home

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CHARLOTTE THE HARLOT

(Murray)

Giving a swish with your arse in the air, don't you know what they're saying?

Charlotte you're so refined, when you take all the love that they're giving
 

Sticking with every man that you find, don't you know what they're after?

Charlotte you've got your legs in the air, don't you hear all their laughter?
 
Charlotte the harlot show me your leg
Charlotte the harlot take me to bed
Charlotte the harlot let me see blood
Charlotte the harlot let me see love
 
There was a time when you left me standing there, picking up pieces of love from the floor
Well Charlotte you left me alone in there, to make your ends as a bloody whore
 
Well Charlotte you told me you loved me true, picking up pieces of love yesterday
Well Charlotte your drawers are off colour too, 'cause you're making love all day
 
Taking so many men to your room don't you feel no remorse
You charge them only a fiver for starters, and ten the main course
 
You've got no feelings, they died long ago
Don't you care who you let in, don't you know you're breaking the law with the service you're giving
 
Charlotte the harlot show me your leg
Charlotte the harlot take me to bed
Charlotte the harlot let me see blood
Charlotte the harlot let me see love

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RUNNING FREE

(Harris/Di'anno)

 

Just sixteen a pickup truck, out of money out of luck

I've got no place to call my own, Hit the gas and here I go

 

I'm running free yeh, I'm running free

I'm running free yeh, I'm running free

 

Spend the night in an L.A. jail, listen to the sirens wail

But they ain't got a thing on me, I'm running wild I'm running free

 
I'm running free yeh, I'm running free
I'm running free yeh, I'm running free
 
Pulled her at the Bottle Top, whiskey dancing disco hop
And all the boys are after me, and that's the way it's gonna be
 
I'm running free yeh, I'm running free
I'm running free yeh, I'm running free

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WOMEN IN UNIFORM

(G. Macainsh)

 

Beehive hairdo, 45 on the hip, patrolwoman Saunders don't you give her no lip

Took me to the station for a breath test, then back to the bedroom for some house arrest

 

Women in uniform, sometimes they look so cold

Women in uniform, but oh they feel so warm

 

Coming back to London on a 747, stewardess made me like I'm in heaven

Looking up the aisle to see what I could see, she leaned over said "give it to me"

White apron brown leather shoes, the nurse at the clinic left my heart all bruised

Gave me a massage sprained my right, now she takes my temperature every night
Women in uniform, sometimes they look so cold
Women in uniform, but oh they feel so warm
Women in uniform, women in uniform
Women in uniform, women in uniform
Commando raid on the Lebanese border, sergeant Anita she gives the order
Khaki jacket and a love gun, baby I surrender let's have some fun
Women in uniform, sometimes they look so cold
Women in uniform, but oh they feel so warm
Women in uniform, sometimes they look so cold
Women in uniform, but oh they feel so warm
Women in uniform, women in uniform
Women in uniform, women in uniform
Women in uniform, khaki white and blue
Women in uniform, coming after you
Women in uniform, women in uniform
Women in uniform, women in uniform
Women in uniform, sometimes they look so cold
Women in uniform, but oh they feel so warm

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MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE

(Harris)

 

I remember it as plain as day, although it happened in the dark of night

I was strolling through the streets of Paris, it was cold it was starting to rain

And then I heard a piercing scream, and I rushed to the scene of the crime

But all I found was the butchered remains, of two girls laying side by side

 
Murders in the Rue Morgue - someone call the gendarmes
Murders in the Rue Morgue - vite before the killers go free
 
There's some people coming down the street, at last someone's heard my call
I can't understand why they're pointing at me, I never done nothing at all
Well I must have got some blood on my hands, because everybody's shouting at me
I can't speak French so I couldn't explain, and like a fool started running away
 
Murders in the Rue Morgue - running from the gendarmes
Murders in the Rue Morgue - am I ever going to be free
 

And now I've gotta get away from the arms of the law, all of France is looking for me

I've gotta find a way across the border for sure, down the South of Italy
 
Murders in the Rue Morgue - someone call the gendarmes
Murders in the Rue Morgue - I'm never going home
 
Well I made it to the border at last, but I can't erase the scene from my mind
Any time somebody stares at me, well I just start running blind
Well I'm running through the shadows tonight, away from the staring eyes
Any day they'll be looking for me, 'cos I know I show the signs of...
 
Murders in the Rue Morgue - running from the gendarmes
Murders in the Rue Morgue - running from the arms of the law
 
Murders in the Rue Morgue - running from the gendarmes
Murders in the Rue Morgue - am I ever gonna be free
 
It took so long and I'm getting so tired, I'm running out of places to hide
Should I return to the scene of the crime, where the two young victims died
If I could go to somebody for help, it would get me out of trouble for sure
But I know that's it's on my mind, that my doctor said I've done it before
 
Murders in the Rue Morgue - they're never gonna find me
Murders in the Rue Morgue - I'm never going home

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CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED

(Harris)

 

He's walking like a small child, but watch his eyes burn you away

Black holes in his golden stare, God knows he wants to go home

 

Children of the damned

Children of the damned

Children of the damned

Children of the damned
 
He's walking like a dead man, if he had lived he would have crucified us all
Now he's standing on the last step, he thought oblivion, well it beckons us all
 
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
Children of the damned
 

Now it's burning his hands, he's turning to laugh

Smiles as the flames sear his flesh
Melting his face, screaming in pain
Watch him die according to plan
He's dust on the ground, what did we learn
 
You're children of the damned
Your back's against the wall
You turn into the light
You're children of the damned
Like candles watch them burn
Burning in the light
You'll burn again tonight
You're children of the damned

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THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

(Harris)

 

I left alone my mind was black, I needed time to get the memories from my mind

What did I see can I believe, that what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy

 

Just what I saw in my old dreams, were they reflections of my warped mind staring back at me

Cos in my dreams it's always there, the evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair

 
The night was black was no use holding back, cos I just had to see was someone watching me
In the mist dark figures move and twist, was this all for real or some kind of hell
 
666 the number of the beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released
 
Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised, as they start to cry hands held to the sky
In the night the fires burning bright, the ritual has begun Satan's work is done
 
666 the number of the beast

Sacrifice is going on tonight

 
This can't go on I must inform the law, can this still be real or some crazy dream
But I feel drawn towards the evil chanting hordes, they seem to mesmerise me...can't avoid their eyes
 
666 the number of the beast
666 the one for you and me
 
I'm coming back I will return, and I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire I have the force, I have the power to make my evil takes its course

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TOTAL ECLIPSE

(Harris/Murray/Burr)

 

Cold as steel the darkness waits its hour will come

A cry of fear from our children worshipping the sun

Mother nature's black revenge on those who waste her life

War babies in the Garden of Eden shall turn our ashes to ice

 
Sunrise has gone freezing up the fires
Sunrise has gone numbing our desires
Sunrise has gone, sunrise has gone
 
Around the world people stop with terror stricken eyes
A shadow cast upon them all to crush them like a fly
In the icy rain and whip lashed seas there's nowhere left to run
The hammer blows of winter fall like a hurricane
 
Sunrise has gone freezing up the fires
Sunrise has gone numbing our desires
 
Around the world the nations wait for some wise word from their leading light
You know it isn't only madmen who listen to fools
Is this the end millions cried, clutching their riches as they died

Those who survive must weather the storm

 
Gone are the days when man looked down, they've taken away his sacred crown
To be set free it took so long, it's not journeys' end it's just begun

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IRON MAIDEN

(Harris)

Won't you come into my room, I want to show you all my wares

I just want to see your blood, I just want to stand and stare

 
See the blood begin to flow, as it falls upon the floor
Iron Maiden can't be fought, Iron Maiden can't be sought
 
Oh well, wherever, wherever you are
Iron Maiden's gonna get you, no matter how far
See the blood begin to flow, watching it shed up above my head
Iron Maiden wants you for dead
All my feelings cannot be held, I'm happy in my new strange world
Won't you come into my room, I want to show you all my wares
I just want to see your blood, I just want to stand and stare
See the blood begin to flow, as it falls upon the floor
Iron Maiden can't be fought, Iron Maiden can't be sought
 
Oh well, wherever, wherever you are
Iron Maiden's gonna get you, no matter how far
See the blood begin to flow, watching it shed up above my head
Iron Maiden wants you for dead

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SANCTUARY

(Harris/Murray/Di'anno)

Out of winter came a warhorse of steel
I've never killed a woman before but I know how it feels
I'd know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law
I met up with a stranger last night to keep me alive
He spends all his time on gambling and guns to survive
I'd know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law
So give me sanctuary from the law...and I'll be alright
Sanctuary from the law...and love me tonight
I'd know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law
So give me sanctuary from the law...and I'll be alright
Just give me sanctuary from the law...and love me tonight
I can laugh at the wind
I can howl at the rain
Down in the canyon or out on the plain
I'd know you'd have gone insane if you saw what I saw
So now I've got to look for sanctuary from the law
So give me sanctuary from the law...and I'll be alright
Just give me sanctuary from the law...and love me tonight, tonight
Love me tonight

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THE PRISONER

(Smith/Harris)

 

On the run kill to eat, you're starving now you're dead on your feet

Going all the way nature's beast, do what I want as I please

 

Run fight to breathe it's tough

Now you see me now you don't

Break the walls I'm coming out

 
Not a prisoner I'm a free man, and my blood is my own now
Don't care where the past was, I know where I'm going...out
 
If you kill me it's self defence, if I kill you then I call it vengeance
Spit in your eye I will defy, you'll be afraid when I call out your name
 
I'm not a number I'm a free man, I'll live my life how I want to
You'd better scratch me from your black book, cos I'll run rings around you

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22 ACACIA AVENUE

(Harris/Smith)

 

If you're feeling down depressed an lonely, I know a place where we can go

22 Acacia Avenue meet a lady that I know

So if you're looking for a good time, and you're prepared to pay the price

Fifteen quid is all she asks for, everybody's got their vice

 

If you're waiting for a long time for the rest to do their piece

You can tell her that you know me and you might even get it free
So any time you're down the East End don't you hesitate to go
You can take my honest word for it she'll teach you more than you can know
 
Charlotte can't you get out from all this madness
Can't you see it only brings you sadness
When you entertain your men don't you know the risk of getting disease
 
Someday when you're reaching the age of forty, I bet you'll regret the days when you were laying
Nobody then will want to know, You won't have any more beautiful wares to show any more
 
22, the avenue that's the place where we all go
You will find it's warm inside, the red light's burning bright tonight
 
Charlotte isn't it time you stopped this mad life, don't you ever think about the bad times
Why do you have to live this way, do you enjoy your lay or is the pay
 
Sometimes when you're strolling down the avenue, the way you walk it makes men think of having you
When you're walking down the street, everybody stops and turns to stare at you
 
Beat her mistreat her do anything that you please, bite her excite her make her get down on her knees
Abuse her misuse her she can take all that you've got, caress her molest her she always does want you want
 
You're running away don't you know what you're doing, can't you see it'll lead you to ruin
Charlotte you've taken your life and you've thrown it away
You believe that because what you're earning, your life's good don't you know that you're hurting
All the people that love you don't cast them aside
All the men that are constantly drooling, it's no life for you stop all that screwing
You're packing your bags and you're coming with me

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WASTED YEARS

(Smith)

 

From the coast of gold across the seven seas

I'm travellin' on far and wide

But now it all 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
 
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 just makes me wanna cry and throw my hands up to the sky
 
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

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THE TROOPER

(Harris)

 

You'll take my life but I'll take yours too

You'll fire your musket but I'll run you through

So when you're waiting for the next attack

You' d better stand there's no turning back

 

The Bugle sounds and the charge begins

But on this battlefield no one wins
The smell of acrid smoke and horses breath
As I plunge on into certain death
 
The horse he sweats with fear we break to run
The mighty roar of the Russian guns
And as we race towards the human wall
The screams of pain as my comrades fall
 
We hurdle bodies that lay on the ground
And the Russians fire another round
We get so near yet so far away
We won't live to fight another day
 
We get so close near enough to fight
When a Russian gets me in his sights
He pulls the trigger and I feel the blow
A burst of rounds take my horse below
 
And as I lay there gazing at the sky
My body's numb and my throat is dry
And as I lay forgotten and alone
Without a tear I draw my parting groan

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