The “ideal” Iron Maiden song, according to Steve Harris
In the 1970s, when Steve Harris initially formed Iron Maiden, he likely wouldn’t have thought they would become the heavy metal bohemians that they are now. But here we are.
In the world of rock ‘n’ roll, there is no escaping the fact that set design, pyrotechnics and stage presence plays a huge part in the overall relationship that a band has with their fans. Of course, the music comes first, but this is a genre which is steeped in history, rebellion and excitement. As such, it’s important that bands try to bring that excitement on stage with them.
Geezer Butler remembers the first time that he ever saw Kiss perform live. Black Sabbath had taken them on tour, and they ended up being one of the most difficult support bands to follow. No one is really questioning who the superior metal band is, as Sabbath’s sound is one which has taken on a life of its own; however, it was Kiss’s use of pyrotechnics which won crowds over and made them so tough to follow.
“It was a completely new direction for people,” said Butler. “People had to start thinking about stage production after Kiss. It was tough to follow them. We went on just as an ordinary band, no effects or anything, and everybody else still had their mouths wide open from seeing Kiss.”
Many bands have taken the idea of large set design and pyrotechnics and run with it. One of the bands who are most famous for it is Iron Maiden, who have their own mascot and brandish him centre stage every single gig. Eddie stands tall in the middle of the stage and draws the overwhelmed gaze of everyone in attendance.
However, while we are often in awe as the band plays, it shouldn’t be forgotten just how good the band’s music is. Throughout their career, Iron Maiden’s face-melting, fist-pounding sound resonates throughout every single record. Decades of great music have been unleashed onto the public thanks to Iron Maiden, so much so that it can be difficult knowing what you should start with if you want to get into the band. Steve Harris was once asked which Iron Maiden song he thought was the best, and after some thought, he landed upon ‘The Evil That Men Do’.
Harris writes a lot of the music that Iron Maiden are responsible for, but other band members quite frequently chip in too. “That’s an odd one because there’s so many songs I’ve written,” he said. “I don’t know how many I’ve written, but it’s got to be more than 150 songs at least over the years.”
Despite the fact that he has written so many songs on his own for the band, he decided it would be best to choose a song that multiple members contributed towards. “I think it would be better to choose a song that’s written by, say, three of us,” he concluded. “I would probably pick something like ‘The Evil That Men Do’, which is written by all three of us. We’re the main songwriters. [Adrian, Bruce and Steve].”
