The Prisoner by Iron Maiden

Album: The Number Of The Beast (1982)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

A musical adaptation of the old BBC television series, The Prisoner, the song begins with Patrick McGoohan's opening narration from the show. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Jeff - Haltom City, TX
Rod Smallwood, the band manager, was very nervous about calling Patrick McGoohan to get permission to use the quote. After bolstering up the courage to call McGoohan, he explained the proposition uncomfortably. McGoohan thought for a moment, than asked, "What was the band's name again?" Rod, who was downright scared at this point, told him again. "A rock band, you say?" McGoohan continued thoughtfully. Suddenly, he commanded "Do it!" sharply before hanging up. The band cracked up at this afterwards.
The band got the opening narration from The Prisoner tapes owned by metal DJ Tommy Vance.
Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris, who wrote this song with guitarist Adrian Smith, explained: "Adrian took the solo on this one and it's one of his favorites. It's a very strong live number, although we don't play it on the set now."

Harris is a founding member of the band; Smith came on board for their second album, Killers, in 1981. "The Prisoner" is part of their third album, The Number Of The Beast, which introduced new lead singer Bruce Dickinson, who replaced Paul Di'Anno.

Comments: 7

Grant from AustraliaAwesome song and great guitar solos, always one of my favourites. The intro was taken from the episode "Hammer into Anvil", you can look it up on Youtube.
Rachel from Lodi, NjI.LOVE.THIS.SONG. point. blank period. And it is even better live. Something about singing out I'm a free man!! with twenty thousand other people. It is good for the soul.
Luke from Manchester, United KingdomA great contrast to Frank Herbert, author of Dune who's agent - when told Iron Maiden wanted to write a song about his book - said:
"No. Because Frank Herbert doesn't like rock bands, particularly heavy rock bands, and especially rock bands like Iron Maiden.".
Ray from Lodi, NjIron Maiden reintroduced this into their set for their 2012 Maiden England tour.
Stefan from Wien, AustriaBy hook or by crook, we will get it!
Cads from London, EnglandLast played in Switzerland on 6th September 1991.
Would have been most welcome in the recent 'Early Days' tour 2005.
Keith from Slc, UtThere's more to the story . . .but . . .

That would be telling.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Me And Julio Down By The SchoolyardPaul Simon

Mickey Mantle and John Madden both appear in the video for "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" by Paul Simon. Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane do a rap intro.

Cake By The OceanDNCE

The song title "Cake By The Ocean" originated from DNCE's Swedish producers using the wrong name for the drink "Sex on the Beach."

The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)Betty Everett

After Cher revived "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)" in 1990, Salt-N-Pepa released "Shoop" and Whitney Houston had a #1 hit with "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)."

GypsyFleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac's "Gypsy" is about Stevie Nicks' best friend, who died of leukemia.

She BangsRicky Martin

The Ricky Martin song "She Bangs" found new life when William Hung performed it so horribly on a 2004 episode of American Idol that it went viral.

MMMbopHanson

Hanson's megahit "MMMbop," released when they were teenagers, is surprisingly profound. Zac Hanson told Songfacts it "represents a frame of time or the futility of life."