Fear of the Dark (song)
Encyclopedia
"Fear of the Dark" is a song written by Steve Harris
, bass player and main songwriter for Iron Maiden
, as the title track to Iron Maiden's 1992 album Fear of the Dark. This is the only song from the Fear of the Dark album to still be played in concerts today, although "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" was often played live until 1998.
The single "Fear of the Dark (live)" is the 26th single released by the band. This live version of the song (as well as the live versions of "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter, Be Quick Or Be Dead, and Tailgunner") are taken from the live album A Real Live One
. The single reached number 5 in the UK charts. The live version of "Hooks in You" was recorded at the Wembley Arena
, London
, UK on 17 December 1990. The initial pressing of the 7" cut-to-shape vinyl picture disc listed Hooks In You (live) as the B-side but actually played Tailgunner (live). This mis-press was quickly corrected by EMI on future pressings.
The song has been covered by German a cappella
metal band van Canto
on their album Hero
, as well as the Italian metal band Graveworm
on their 2001 album Scourge of Malice
, by the also Italian death metal band Infernal Poetry
on their 2005 album Beholding the Unpure and by the Finnish band Sturm und Drang
as the bonus track on their 2008 album Rock 'n Roll Children
.
The song was also covered by Fightstar for kerrang's Maiden Heaven.
The Flight 666 version of the song was released as downloadable content for the Rock Band
video game series on 9 June 2009.
"Fear of the Dark" was nominated for a Grammy Award
in 1994 in the "Best Metal Performance
" category, but lost to "I Don't Want To Change The World" by Ozzy Osbourne
.
Steve Harris (musician)
Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded in 1975...
, bass player and main songwriter for Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, as the title track to Iron Maiden's 1992 album Fear of the Dark. This is the only song from the Fear of the Dark album to still be played in concerts today, although "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" was often played live until 1998.
The single "Fear of the Dark (live)" is the 26th single released by the band. This live version of the song (as well as the live versions of "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter, Be Quick Or Be Dead, and Tailgunner") are taken from the live album A Real Live One
A Real Live One
A Real Live One is a live album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in March 1993. The album tracks were recorded at 9 different venues in Europe on the Fear of the Dark World Tour...
. The single reached number 5 in the UK charts. The live version of "Hooks in You" was recorded at the Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK on 17 December 1990. The initial pressing of the 7" cut-to-shape vinyl picture disc listed Hooks In You (live) as the B-side but actually played Tailgunner (live). This mis-press was quickly corrected by EMI on future pressings.
The song has been covered by German a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
metal band van Canto
Van Canto
Van Canto is an a cappella metal band from Germany, founded in 2006 and composed of five singers and a drummer. Although the group is often classified as an a cappella ensemble, they use real drums in their music, instead of vocal percussion or beatboxing....
on their album Hero
Hero (van Canto album)
Hero is the second studio album by German a cappella metal band van Canto, released on September 26, 2008. It is the follow-up to 2006's A Storm to Come on Sony BMG Germany's GUN records...
, as well as the Italian metal band Graveworm
Graveworm
Graveworm is a symphonic black metal band from Bruneck, Italy with strong influences from gothic metal .-History:...
on their 2001 album Scourge of Malice
Scourge of Malice
Scourge of Malice is the third studio album by the symphonic black metal band Graveworm, released in 2001 through Last Episode. The 7th track is often mislabeled on most P2P networks as being performed by Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, or Kalmah.-Track listing:# "Dreaded Time " – 1:48#...
, by the also Italian death metal band Infernal Poetry
Infernal Poetry
-History:At the time of their foundation, Infernal poetry were known as Necronomicon, releasing the demo Under the Gothic Cathedral under that name, before changing their name in 1997 to Infernal Poetry. They released two more demos under the name of Infernal Poetry before a European tour in...
on their 2005 album Beholding the Unpure and by the Finnish band Sturm und Drang
Sturm und Drang (band)
Sturm und Drang is a Finland-Swedish heavy metal/hard rock band from Vaasa, Finland formed in 2004.The band currently consists of lead singer/guitarist André Linman, second guitarist/backing vocalist Alexander Ivars, keyboardist Jesper Welroos, bassist/backing vocalist Joel Wendlin and...
as the bonus track on their 2008 album Rock 'n Roll Children
Rock 'n Roll Children
Rock 'n Roll Children is the second album by Finnish band Sturm und Drang.The album was released 12 November 2008 in Finland, and 16 January 2009 in other parts of Europe. Rock 'n Roll Children went straight to number two on the Finnish sales chart and it also sold gold within one week in Finland...
.
The song was also covered by Fightstar for kerrang's Maiden Heaven.
The Flight 666 version of the song was released as downloadable content for the Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
video game series on 9 June 2009.
"Fear of the Dark" was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1994 in the "Best Metal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance was an award presented at the Grammy Awards to recording artists for works containing quality performances in the heavy metal music genre...
" category, but lost to "I Don't Want To Change The World" by Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
.
Track listing
- "Fear of the Dark (live)" (Steve HarrisSteve Harris (musician)Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded in 1975...
) – 7:11 - "Bring Your Daughter... to the SlaughterBring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter"Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" is the second single from No Prayer for the Dying, Iron Maiden's first full-length album in over two years...
(live)" (Bruce DickinsonBruce DickinsonPaul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
) – 5:17 (UK CD single digipack) - "Be Quick Or Be Dead (live)" (Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers) - 3:21 (Holland CD single)
- "Tailgunner (live)" (Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson) (7" vinyl posterbag)
- "Hooks in You (live)" (Bruce Dickinson, Adrian SmithAdrian SmithAdrian Frederick "H" Smith is an English musician and one of three guitarists in the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. He is also one of the band's regular songwriters and, along with bassist Steve Harris, performs backing vocals on some songs.-Biography:While at school, Smith purchased his first...
) – 4:06 (all formats except 7" vinyl posterbag)
Formats
- 3 track CD digipack
- 3 track CD
- 2 track 7" vinyl posterbag
- 2 track cut-to-shape vinyl picture disc
Covers
- GravewormGravewormGraveworm is a symphonic black metal band from Bruneck, Italy with strong influences from gothic metal .-History:...
, for their 2001 album Scourge of MaliceScourge of MaliceScourge of Malice is the third studio album by the symphonic black metal band Graveworm, released in 2001 through Last Episode. The 7th track is often mislabeled on most P2P networks as being performed by Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, or Kalmah.-Track listing:# "Dreaded Time " – 1:48#...
(often incorrectly attributed to Cradle of FilthCradle of FilthCradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
or Children of BodomChildren of BodomChildren of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
). - Alternative rock band FightstarFightstarFightstar are an English alternative rock band from London. They formed in 2003 and their lineup comprises lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Simpson, guitarist and vocalist Alex Westaway, bass guitarist Dan Haigh and drummer Omar Abidi...
performed a cover of the song for the Kerrang! "Maiden Heaven" tribute album,. - It was performed by Chuck BillyChuck BillyChuck Billy may refer to:* Chuck Billy , best known for his work with the thrash metal band Testament* Chuck Billy , Mauricio de Souza's creation, best known as related to Monica's Gang...
, Craig GoldyCraig GoldyCraig Goldy is an American guitarist, mostly notably of the band Dio.Before Dio, he played in the bands Vengeance, Rough Cutt, and Giuffria. He replaced Jake E. Lee in Rough Cutt and was himself replaced by Amir Derakh in this group. Prior to joining Rough Cutt, he had played in the band Vengeance...
, Ricky PhillipsRicky PhillipsRicky Phillips is an American bass guitarist and the current bass player for the rock band Styx. He has also played in Nasty Habit, The Babys, Bad English, and Coverdale-Page....
, and Mikkey DeeMikkey DeeMicael Kiriakos Delaoglou , better known as Mikkey Dee is a drummer/songwriter in the Heavy metal band Motörhead. A Swede of Greek descent, he has been known for his speed and precision since his mid-80s stint with King Diamond.- Early life :Delaoglou began his musical career with local bands...
for the tribute album Numbers from the Beast. - German band Blind GuardianBlind GuardianBlind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
. - Italian Techno Duo DJ Activator and Francesco Zeta covered the song 2008 as a Hardstyle version and released it as a single in Italy.
- The Finnish Metal/Rock band Sturm und DrangSturm und Drang (band)Sturm und Drang is a Finland-Swedish heavy metal/hard rock band from Vaasa, Finland formed in 2004.The band currently consists of lead singer/guitarist André Linman, second guitarist/backing vocalist Alexander Ivars, keyboardist Jesper Welroos, bassist/backing vocalist Joel Wendlin and...
performed a cover of this song on their 2008 release "Rock N' Roll Children" as a bonus track - A-capella metal band Van CantoVan CantoVan Canto is an a cappella metal band from Germany, founded in 2006 and composed of five singers and a drummer. Although the group is often classified as an a cappella ensemble, they use real drums in their music, instead of vocal percussion or beatboxing....
covered it on their second album Hero.
- Doro PeschDoro (musician)Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
performed with Blaze BayleyBlaze BayleyBlaze Bayley is an English singer and songwriter. He has been the lead singer of Wolfsbane from 1984 to 1994, and nowadays since their recent reunion. Blaze is however world-known for having been the lead singer of British metal band Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999...
on a ClassicalClassical musicClassical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
live version in 2004 at Wacken Open AirWacken Open AirWacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
with stringsString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
and acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
s. - Justice at Summer Breeze Open AirSummer Breeze Open AirSummer Breeze Open Air is a heavy metal music festival in Germany. It takes place annually in Dinkelsbühl, Bavaria. It was first held in 1997. The festival had been held in Abtsgmünd until 2006 when it was moved to its new location of Dinkelsbühl. The festival draws around 40,000 attendees annually...
2007. - PentagramPentagram (band)Pentagram is a American heavy metal band from Virginia, most famous as one of the pioneers of doom metal. The band was prolific in the underground scene of the 1970s, producing many demos and rehearsal tapes, but did not release a full-length album until reforming in the early 1980s with an almost...
(only live). - It is also recorded by Band 'Mute'(consisting of Guitarist Archit Pathak)for Hard Rock Cafe's cover album
Personnel
- Bruce DickinsonBruce DickinsonPaul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
– vocals - Steve HarrisSteve Harris (musician)Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded in 1975...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Dave MurrayDave Murray (musician)David Michael Murray is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as one of the earliest members of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.-Biography:...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Janick GersJanick GersJanick Robert Gers is an English musician, best known for being one of the three current guitarists in Iron Maiden, along with Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, as well as his earlier work with Gillan and White Spirit.-Career and Personal Life:...
–guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Nicko McBrainNicko McBrainMichael Henry "Nicko" McBrain is an English musician, best known as the drummer for Iron Maiden, which he joined in 1982, prior to which he had played for Streetwalkers, Pat Travers, and the French political band, Trust.-Biography:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Chart performance
| Year | Single | Chart | Position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Fear of the Dark" (live) | Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
17 | A Real Live One A Real Live One A Real Live One is a live album by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in March 1993. The album tracks were recorded at 9 different venues in Europe on the Fear of the Dark World Tour... |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
8 |