By: Jay Broderick
Earlier this week, the heavy metal world lost one of it's pioneer vocalist. On October 21, 2024, original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno passed away suddenly at his home in Salisbury, England. Di'Anno battled a number of health issues over the past decade, and he noted being extremely ill over the past number of months with various infections, although no cause of death has been made official at this time.
Unfortunately, Di'Anno was hit with legal troubles for domestic abuse and fraud over the years, and even spent some time in jail as a result. Things just never became the same for the ex-Iron Maiden front man, but fans helped fund his medical challenges, and Di'Anno was able to get back to singing, recording and performing. With over a hundred shows in 2023, the wheelchair bound singer was getting himself back into the music world.
Despite a significant discography to his credit, Di'Anno will forever hold a place in my heart as the first singer for one of my favourite bands, Iron Maiden. So it is with thins, that I share my Top 5 Iron Maiden tracks featuring Paul Di'Anno:
THE TOP 5
Wrathchild – The bass line that opens this track is killer (just like the album's namesake). It's as easily a memorable (and recognizable) opening as any in the NWOBHM scene. A mere 5 seconds later and the rest of the band comes crashing in with a beat and rhythm that will have you nodding your head in time pretty much immediately. The track has some hard edge to the lyrics in relation to a fatherless man, seeking t fill that whole from the man who abandoned him. Di’Anno’s vocals are edgy and raw, making this an easy Top 5er. While I knew my father, the absence always hurt making this one hit home.
"And now I spend my time looking all around, For a man that's nowhere to be found. Until I find him, I'm never gonna stop searching. I'm gonna find my man, Gonna travel 'round!”
Murders in the Rue Morgue – As a horror fan, this one was a must to make the list. But not for the simple reason that it's based on the Edgar Allan Poe story of the same name. This one starts off with a slow guitar, that slowly builds 30 seconds in, but it's still got a sort of calming feeling. That is until the 1:00 mark, when the tempo kicks in, along with Di'Anno's vocals. The track has a ton of time changes, great rhythm, and has that classic Iron Maiden sequencing. As for Di’Anno, his speedy vocals scream heavy metal, and it's one of the tracks that always pops in my mind when I think of early Iron Maiden.
Running Free – From Iron Maiden's debut album Iron Maiden, "Running Free" is arguably one of the greatest Iron Maiden tracks in the whole band's library. Frequently used as an encore with it’s groove and galloping beat, it's got everything in an Iron Maiden song that makes the band who they are. The "chunka-chunka-chunka-chunk" of the rhythm guitar, and the "tweedly-dee, tweedly-dee" of the lead, this track is one of those party songs that will have every metal-head singing to the top of their lungs, as soon as Di'Anno's vocals break in with "Just 16, a pickup truck, out of money, out of luck". As I'm listening for this article, my feet are tapping, my head is nodding, and I'm smiling. Ahhhhhhhhh.... sweet sweet early Maiden! "GET OUTTA MY WAY!!"
Remember Tomorrow – Let’s not kid ourselves… Paul Di’Anno isn’t the greatest singer to wear leather (or any other kind of clothing that would be popular in any genre), but this track highlights the singer’s range like no other. With a few moments such as at the end of the first verse, but none more like the heights he reaches at the end of the 2nd verse when he cries out "Skyyyyyyyy". With a gentler tone than most of the band's tracks, this one gives a sombre mood. As I listen, the sadness hits hardest, knowing that Di’Anno is no longer with us. This track was covered by Metallica on their Hardwired... to Self-Destruct album.
Honourable Mention - Strange World – Yes, it's a Top 5, but sometimes, you just need to mention one of the outliers. Also from the band's debut album, it's another mellow track, like "Remember Tomorrow". I love the sadness in Di’Anno’s voice here, which is why I can't leave this off the list. Lyrically, this one is perhaps a little obscure. With the song immediately following the instrumental track "Transylvania", some say this is about a vampires life. What do you think?
Women in Uniform - OK, call me crazy, but I ain't no fool!! Released as the band's 3rd single in 1980, "Women in Uniform" is actually a cover song of Australian band Skyhooks. Aside from the 12" single release (which my buddy Jon had, which I was (and still am) super jealous about), the song only appeared (fittingly) on the Australian version of the band's second album Killers. "Women in Uniform" was also the first song to be featured in a music video for the band. Bassist Steve Harris, actually hated the mix when it was first completed, and thus, the band is not a fan of the song. For me though, this one brings me back to Jon's basement. The track has such a great groove, and Di'Anno's "rappy" voice and lyrics is a significant step away form the rest of their catalogue. At the song's crescendo, the rest of the band joins in in the lyrics, Di'Anno screams, and I wanna slam and rock!!
Admittedly, this is not a song you will immediately think of when you think of Iron Maiden, or even Paul Di'Anno Iron Maiden. Perhaps, that plays a part in my love for it, but for me, it takes me back to a time of youth, and discovery. Time travel is possible... at least mentally, with music. And I get it with "Women in Uniform", every time I hear it.
And come on, who doesn't love a woman in uniform??? "Oohh Yeah, Oohh Yeah"!!!!
Rest Easy Paul! You've left us with some massive classics that will always be cherished. As long as the rest of us are around!
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