Sanctuary (Iron Maiden song)
Encyclopedia
"Sanctuary" is the second single released by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden
. The single was released on 23 May 1980. The song was included in the US
release of their debut album Iron Maiden
but it was not included in the UK
/Europe
an release. However, when the album was re-released in 1998 the song was added to the UK release.
The cover art shows the band's mascot, Eddie
having just murdered former Prime Minister
, Margaret Thatcher
. This image, though intended as a lighthearted play on her nickname as the "Iron Lady", managed to cause a minor stir in local newspapers (though this was nothing compared with the reaction to one of their future albums). On most copies of the original single, Thatcher's eyes were covered by a black box because the image was considered offensive. Copies without this box are extremely rare, however are not to be confused with The First Ten Years 12" rerelease, which no longer features the black box. When Derek Riggs was asked about the artwork during "The First Ten Years" documentary, he said that he'd originally drawn the cover featuring Eddie murdering another woman, inspired by the line in the song "I never killed a woman before but I know how it feels", but when he took the art to the band they asked him to change it to include Margaret Thatcher. Of the incident, he said, "they wanted me to make it look like Margaret Thatcher, because she was called the Iron Maiden, but I didn't even have a photograph of the woman!" He wound up having to contact Margaret Thatcher's Public Relations people, who then sent him a photo of her.
"Sanctuary" was originally released in both 7" and 12" 45rpm vinyl formats. The 12" included "Prowler" as an extra song on the A-side. The b-side includes a live version of the song "Drifter" and a live version of Montrose
's "I've Got the Fire", from their 1974 album Paper Money
. "Drifter" includes the usual crowd interaction part where the audience is invited to follow the lead singer as he chants "Yo Yo Yo", parodying The Police
song "Walking on the Moon
" Both of the songs were recorded live at the Marquee Club
in London
on 3 April 1980.
On "Sanctuary", the first guitar solo is played by Dennis Stratton
followed by a guitar solo by Dave Murray. On both the live versions of "Drifter" and "I've Got the Fire", the first guitar solo is played by Murray while the second is played by Stratton.
On live performances of the song, the band would always slip in the opening guitar riff of Queen
's "Keep Yourself Alive
" on the final portion of the instrumental section. During more modern performances, guitarist Janick Gers will normally create a large amount of guitar feedback and noise on his guitar before playing the riff. In live versions, singer Bruce Dickinson
will sing a long "Yeah!" after the first verse. It is one of Iron Maiden's most frequently played songs, being played in almost every tour up to the present day.
An alternate recording of the song was featured on the NWOBHM Metal for Muthas compilation.
The later single Women in Uniform
shows Thatcher getting her revenge on Eddie by plugging him with her Sterling submachine gun.
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...
. The single was released on 23 May 1980. The song was included in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
release of their debut album Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden (album)
*On the 1998 remastered release, the fade out of "Transylvania" and the intro to "Strange World" were moved to the end of "Transylvania".-Personnel:*Paul Di'Anno – vocals*Dave Murray – guitar*Dennis Stratton – guitar, backing vocals...
but it was not included in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
/Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an release. However, when the album was re-released in 1998 the song was added to the UK release.
The cover art shows the band's mascot, Eddie
Eddie the Head
Eddie, also known as Eddie The Head, is the mascot for the British heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. He is a perennial fixture of the group's artwork, appearing in all of their record covers and in their merchandise, which includes t-shirts, posters and action figures...
having just murdered former Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
. This image, though intended as a lighthearted play on her nickname as the "Iron Lady", managed to cause a minor stir in local newspapers (though this was nothing compared with the reaction to one of their future albums). On most copies of the original single, Thatcher's eyes were covered by a black box because the image was considered offensive. Copies without this box are extremely rare, however are not to be confused with The First Ten Years 12" rerelease, which no longer features the black box. When Derek Riggs was asked about the artwork during "The First Ten Years" documentary, he said that he'd originally drawn the cover featuring Eddie murdering another woman, inspired by the line in the song "I never killed a woman before but I know how it feels", but when he took the art to the band they asked him to change it to include Margaret Thatcher. Of the incident, he said, "they wanted me to make it look like Margaret Thatcher, because she was called the Iron Maiden, but I didn't even have a photograph of the woman!" He wound up having to contact Margaret Thatcher's Public Relations people, who then sent him a photo of her.
"Sanctuary" was originally released in both 7" and 12" 45rpm vinyl formats. The 12" included "Prowler" as an extra song on the A-side. The b-side includes a live version of the song "Drifter" and a live version of Montrose
Montrose (band)
Montrose was a California-based hard rock band. The band originally featured Ronnie Montrose on guitar and future solo artist and former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar...
's "I've Got the Fire", from their 1974 album Paper Money
Paper Money
Paper Money is the second album by the band Montrose. It was released in 1974 and was the band's last album to feature Sammy Hagar as lead vocalist.-History:...
. "Drifter" includes the usual crowd interaction part where the audience is invited to follow the lead singer as he chants "Yo Yo Yo", parodying The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
song "Walking on the Moon
Walking on the Moon
"Walking on the Moon" is a 1979 song by The Police, from their second album, Reggatta de Blanc. The song was The Police's second number-one hit single in the United Kingdom. It reached number nine in Australia but did not chart in the United States...
" Both of the songs were recorded live at the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in 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...
on 3 April 1980.
On "Sanctuary", the first guitar solo is played by Dennis Stratton
Dennis Stratton
Dennis Stratton is a guitar player who is best known as a former member of the British band Iron Maiden from October 1979 to October 1980.-Biography:...
followed by a guitar solo by Dave Murray. On both the live versions of "Drifter" and "I've Got the Fire", the first guitar solo is played by Murray while the second is played by Stratton.
On live performances of the song, the band would always slip in the opening guitar riff of Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
's "Keep Yourself Alive
Keep Yourself Alive
"Keep Yourself Alive" is a song by English rock group Queen. Written by guitarist Brian May, it is the opening track on the band's debut album Queen . It was released as Queen's first single along with "Son and Daughter" as the B-side...
" on the final portion of the instrumental section. During more modern performances, guitarist Janick Gers will normally create a large amount of guitar feedback and noise on his guitar before playing the riff. In live versions, singer Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul 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....
will sing a long "Yeah!" after the first verse. It is one of Iron Maiden's most frequently played songs, being played in almost every tour up to the present day.
An alternate recording of the song was featured on the NWOBHM Metal for Muthas compilation.
The later single Women in Uniform
Women in Uniform
"Women in Uniform" is a 1978 song originally recorded by the Australian band Skyhooks; it was written by the band's bass player, Greg Macainsh. It appeared on their fourth album, Guilty Until Proven Insane, and was a top 10 single in Australia.[]...
shows Thatcher getting her revenge on Eddie by plugging him with her Sterling submachine gun.
Track listing
- "Sanctuary" (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...
, Di'AnnoPaul Di'AnnoPaul Andrews , better known as Paul Di'Anno, is an English singer best known as the first vocalist to record with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from 1978 to 1981....
, 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:...
) - 3:14 - "Prowler (Harris) -3:52
- "Drifter (Live at the MarqueeMarquee ClubThe Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
, London 1980)" (Harris) - 6:03 - "I've Got the FireI Got the Fire"I Got the Fire" is a song from the Montrose album Paper Money in 1974. The guitar solo is the result of a fortuitous accident:"Guitarist Ronnie Montrose also contributes a solo of singular dexterity and earth-shaking intensity thanks, ironically, to a studio screwup which resulted in the...
(Live at the MarqueeMarquee ClubThe Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
, London 1980)" (Ronnie MontroseRonnie MontroseRonnie Montrose, is an Amercian rock guitarist who has headed his own bands as well as performing with a variety of musicians, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, The Beau Brummels, Boz Scaggs, Beaver & Krause, Gary Wright, Tony Williams, The Neville Brothers, Dan Hartman, Edgar...
; MontroseMontrose (band)Montrose was a California-based hard rock band. The band originally featured Ronnie Montrose on guitar and future solo artist and former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar...
cover) - 3:14
Personnel
- Paul Di'AnnoPaul Di'AnnoPaul Andrews , better known as Paul Di'Anno, is an English singer best known as the first vocalist to record with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from 1978 to 1981....
- vocals - 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... - Dennis StrattonDennis StrattonDennis Stratton is a guitar player who is best known as a former member of the British band Iron Maiden from October 1979 to October 1980.-Biography:...
- guitar, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - 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 vocals - Clive BurrClive BurrClive Burr is a British drummer, best known as a member of Iron Maiden from 1979 to 1982.-Career:Previously a member of Samson, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979...
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | "Sanctuary" | 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 ... |
29 | Iron Maiden Iron Maiden (album) *On the 1998 remastered release, the fade out of "Transylvania" and the intro to "Strange World" were moved to the end of "Transylvania".-Personnel:*Paul Di'Anno – vocals*Dave Murray – guitar*Dennis Stratton – guitar, backing vocals... |
| 1990 | "Running Free Running Free "Running Free" was the first single released by Iron Maiden, released on 8 February 1980 on the 7" 45 rpm vinyl record format. It was written by Steve Harris and Paul Di'Anno... / Sanctuary" |
UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... Re-release of both singles as part of "The First Ten Years The First Ten Years The First Ten Years is a series of 10 CDs and double 12" singles by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released between 24 February and 28 April 1990, in commemoration of the band's ten year recording anniversary.... " box set. Exceeded the length limit of the UK Singles chart. |
10 | — |