Lord Of The Flies

Album: The X Factor (1995)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was inspired by the novel Lord Of The Flies by William Golding, which was made into two movies: one in 1963 and one in 1990 (neither were great critical successes). It's about a group of boys who are shipwrecked and begin embracing their primal side. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brett - Edmonton, Canada
  • Lord Of The Flies is the literal translation of the Greek word Beezelbub. In the Bible, Beezelbub is the name given for Satan by Jesus (this occurs in the episode where he casts demons out of a crazy man and into a pig. There's also a line in there from which Lincoln derived his phrase about the Civil War- a house divided upon itself can not stand). While most songs dealing with Golding's novel deal with the more good guy characters in the novel - Ralph and Piggy, or with the kinda psychic kid (Simon) who actually talks to the beast, this song is unique in that it's told from the point of view of the most savage boys - Jack and his crew. It's kind of like The Rolling Stones' Sympathy For The Devil in that it's a sort of exoneration for evil behavior, and cautions that everyone is called to be evil. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jackie - Dallas, TX
  • This is the most guitar-driven song on the album.
  • The artwork on the single depicted Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie as literally a lord of the flies. He sits, dressed as a monarch, on an electric chair (serving as a throne) with a swarm of flies around him.
  • The two songs on the B-side were a cover of the Who's "My Generation" and a cover of UFO's "Doctor, Doctor." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for above 3

Comments: 6

  • Ryan from Bethany, Oki don't like blaze. this sounds better with bruce singing.
  • Billy from Otway, OhRex,That So-Called "man with the horns" Is SATAN.
  • Jon from Washington, VaPowerslave is definently not one of their crappiest albums, its prob one of their best
  • Mill from Clagary, Canadapowerslave isnt maidens best album!
  • Rex Jackson from Sleze Lans, Ma"Lord of the Flies" is also a nickname of the man with the horns
  • Kale from Newquay, EnglandGreat song from Maiden's second best album! (After Powerslave)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

U2

U2Fact or Fiction

How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?