| "The Wicker Man" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byIron Maiden | ||||
| from the albumBrave New World | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | 8 May 2000 (2000-05-08)[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1999–2000 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 4:35 (album version)4:16 (radio edit) | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| Iron Maiden singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "The Wicker Man" onYouTube | ||||
| CD 2 clear cover | ||||
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| 12-inch picture disc LP | ||||
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"The Wicker Man" is a song by Englishheavy metal bandIron Maiden. It was released on 8 May 2000 as the first single and opening track from their twelfth studio album,Brave New World (2000). It preceded the release ofBrave New World by three weeks. It is also the first single by the band since 1989's single "Infinite Dreams" to feature "The Trooper"-era lineup with vocalistBruce Dickinson and guitaristAdrian Smith returning to the band in 1999. It was co-written by Smith, Dickinson andSteve Harris. It was co-produced byKevin Shirley andHarris. The title is inspired by the Britishcult film of thesame name. The song should not be confused with "Wicker Man" from Dickinson's solo career, the lyrics of which are more closely themed around the film. The latter song can be found on the 2 disc edition ofThe Best of Bruce Dickinson.
According to Dickinson, 'The Wicker Man' initially started off as a riff that Adrian Smith was "bouncing around with". Dickinson thought that the riff sounded good and he began to add a catchy melody to the song. Then Steve Harris began to play along to the riff. Dickinson stated that the song was written without even trying to get a single-length track. It was also the first song that the band rehearsed together since the return of Dickinson and Smith.[2] Dickinson said the process of writing the lyrics attempted to get "the same vibe I get when I stand onstage in front of all these people and they start singing and chanting with you".[3]
The radio version of the song differs from the album track, with the chorus' first and third line "Your time will come" followed by the line, "Thy will be done", and the last line is followed by "Don't turn, don't run." This is the case for every chorus except for the third chorus in which the third line is followed by "I'll be the one" and the fourth line is followed by "Burn on the sun." This version is considered extremely rare.[citation needed]
The single's cover art was byMark Wilkinson, after a piece by the famed artistDerek Riggs was rejected. This was the last piece Riggs would create for Iron Maiden, untilFlight 666, reasoning that they were too hard to work with.[4] This art work was used for the picture vinyl disc and various minor pressings.[5]
In 2001, the song was nominated for aGrammy Award in the category "Best Metal Performance" but lost to "Elite" byDeftones.[6]
This song was also included as a playable song in gameRock Band Blitz.
From 2011 to 2018, theWashington Capitals of theNational Hockey League used a portion of "The Wicker Man" as their goal celebration song.
A limited edition of "The Wicker Man" was also released. The limited edition contained 2 CDs and a double-faced poster, as well as a selection of live songs recorded during the Ed Hunter Tour. The European release of the single also contained abeermat.[7]
CD 1 had a picture of the band on the cover of the cd the same as the single cover; CD 2 was clear with a picture of the "Wicker Man" on the cd.[8]
The 12-inch LP picture disc had the "Wicker Man" on the A side and the people with animal masks on the B side.[9]
Standard edition
Limited edition disc 1
Limited edition disc 2
12-inch picture disc LP
Production credits are adapted from the CD,[10] and picture disc covers.[11]
Iron Maiden
Production
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