This metal classic was influenced by the 1978 movie Damien: Omen II, which is about a 13-year-old Antichrist. It was written by Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris, who explained: "Basically, this song is about a dream. It's not about devil worship."
Before the music starts, the song opens with an a cappella quote from The Book of Revelation. The band wanted the horror film actor Vincent Price to read this intro, but he wanted more money than they were willing to pay (a year later, Price lent his voice to Michael Jackson's "
Thriller"). The quote was read by an unknown thespian who had no interest in the band.
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Suggestion credit:
Jeff - Haltom City, TX, for above 2
The number of the beast, according to Revelation 13:18 (the quoted scripture), is 666. Interestingly, 6+6+6 is 18, the number of the verse. Elsewhere in that chapter, it is stated that no man will be able to buy or sell without a mark on the right hand or forehead with the number of the beast on it. This has lead to religious zealots "finding" 666 in practically everything.
"The Number Of The Beast" is the title track to Iron Maiden's third album, their first with lead singer Bruce Dickinson, who replaced Paul Di'Anno. Di'Anno was a fan favorite, but Dickinson quickly won them over with his energy and astounding range. The album took Maiden up a few rungs - it was their first #1 in their native UK and first Platinum-seller in America.
The cover art for the album depicts Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie and a devil in vicious combat in Hell. The cover art for the single shows Eddie with a sinister grin on his face holding the devil's head (See also: "
Run To The Hills").
During the recording of the album, there were rumors floating about that supernatural occurrences had been going on in the studio, such as lights flipping on and off, strange noises, visions of Satan, etc. This was used as evidence that Satan and the Antichrist had a hand in making this. In a concert at New York's Palladium on June 29, 1982 (which is heavily bootlegged), Bruce Dickinson said: "Just want to say to all the people who play records backwards and burn albums out in the streets, they can go and get... stick their heads up their arse or something like that, 'cause... we ain't interested."
As he explained on the BBC
Classic Albums series, Bruce Dickinson's high-pitched scream at the end of the intro was a result of producer Martin Birch forcing the band to replay the intro several times. Dickinson became so fed up with the constant repeats that he emitted the scream out of frustration, and it fit so well that the band decided to keep it.
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Suggestion credit:
Alex - Redford, MI
On the album cover art, just right of the devil's ankle, is artist Derek Riggs' signature: the unique symbol which contains his initials.
The tour accompanying the album's release was called "The Beast on the Road."
Lead singer Bruce Dickinson said of this song: "We can play with conviction every night, because we totally believe in the music we're performing." This quote, along with the line "666, the one for you and me" led many preachers and enemies of rock music to believe Maiden were Satanists.
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Brett - Edmonton, Canada
The Number of the Beast album surprisingly came top of a survey by music retailer HMV to find the UK public's favorite British album during the Queen's 60 years on the throne. The poll attracted almost 55,000 votes in the month preceding the Queen's Diamond Jubilee via Facebook, including presumably a fair number of Maiden fans. An HMV spokesman commented: "The power of social media means there are one or two surprises."
This was used in the soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.
"The Number Of The Beast" was re-released as a single in the UK in January 2005, climbing to #3. The original release went to #18.
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Suggestion credit:
Tom - Trowbridge, England, for above 2
