Songfacts®:

• The title track and first single from Europe's tenth studio album, this song was inspired by a book called The Long Ships, written by the Swedish author Frans G. Bengtsson. Set in Viking times, the book tells a story about battles and a fight for power among kings.
  
  Europe lead singer Joey Tempest read the book when he was growing up in Sweden (the Swedish title is Röde Orm) and decided to use it as the basis for a song. In our interview with Tempest, he explained: "I thought it was a fascinating background for a lyric, and the melodies and the riffs lend themselves to it."
• Those expecting the pop sound of Europe's '80s hits "The Final Countdown" and "Carrie" will be surprised to hear how heavy they sound on this track. After splitting up in the '90s, the band returned in 2003 with a more bass-driven metal sound, which is reflected on this track. "It's been an organic journey we've been on since we started up again," Tempest told us. "Just going on our own adventure musically."