Twilight Zone (Iron Maiden song)
Encyclopedia
"Twilight Zone" was the fourth single
by Iron Maiden
, released on 2 March 1981. The song was also released in the United States as part of the album Killers
, but was not included in the British release until the album was re-released in 1998.
The lyrics tell of a mournful spirit who "Can't take no shape or form" and has his spirit trapped the between this world and "Purgatory
", referring to it as the "Twilight Zone". The spirit has been dead for 3 years. He desires to make his presence known to a woman he is presumably haunting, but is unable to. He looks forward to her death, and even implies he wishes to hasten her demise in order to have company in the afterlife. On the cover painting, the picture of Eddie on top of the dresser is addressed "To Charlotte", seemingly making the young lady in the painting the eponymous prostitute from the song "Charlotte the Harlot".
This single has been notably released on a blood red and a clear 45 r.p.m (7") Single, that has now become a rather rare collectible.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by 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...
, released on 2 March 1981. The song was also released in the United States as part of the album Killers
Killers (Iron Maiden album)
Killers is the second album by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 2 February 1981 in the UK, and 6 June 1981 in the US. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was sacked after problems with his stage performance arose due...
, but was not included in the British release until the album was re-released in 1998.
The lyrics tell of a mournful spirit who "Can't take no shape or form" and has his spirit trapped the between this world and "Purgatory
Purgatory (song)
"Purgatory" is Iron Maiden's fifth single and only single from the Killers album . This song is a remake of a very early Iron Maiden song originally called "Floating" which they used to play live during 1976 to 1977. According to current drummer Nicko McBrain, "Purgatory" is a faster re-arrangement...
", referring to it as the "Twilight Zone". The spirit has been dead for 3 years. He desires to make his presence known to a woman he is presumably haunting, but is unable to. He looks forward to her death, and even implies he wishes to hasten her demise in order to have company in the afterlife. On the cover painting, the picture of Eddie on top of the dresser is addressed "To Charlotte", seemingly making the young lady in the painting the eponymous prostitute from the song "Charlotte the Harlot".
This single has been notably released on a blood red and a clear 45 r.p.m (7") Single, that has now become a rather rare collectible.
Track listing
- "Twilight Zone" (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...
, 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:...
) - "Wrathchild" (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...
)
Chart performance
| Year | Single | Chart | Position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Twilight Zone" | 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 ... |
31 | Killers Killers (Iron Maiden album) Killers is the second album by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 2 February 1981 in the UK, and 6 June 1981 in the US. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was sacked after problems with his stage performance arose due... |
| 1990 | "Women in Uniform / Twilight Zone" | 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 | — |
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... - 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...
– 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 ....