Holy Smoke

Album: No Prayer For The Dying (1990)
Charted: 3
Play Video
  • Believe in me, send no money
    I died on the cross and that ain't funny
    But my so called friends they're making me a joke
    They missed out what I said like I never spoke
    They choose what they want to hear, they don't tell a lie
    They just leave out the truth as they're watching you die
    They're saving your souls by taking your money
    Flies around shit, bees around honey

    Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
    Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
    This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
    Making holy smoke

    Jimmy Reptile and all his friends
    Say they gonna be with you at the end
    Burning records burning books
    Holy soldiers Nazi looks
    Crocodile smiles just wait a while
    'Til the TV queen gets her make-up clean
    I've lived in filth I've lived in sin
    And I still smell cleaner than the shit you're in

    Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
    Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
    This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
    Holy smoke
    Smells good

    They ain't religious but they ain't no fools
    When Noah built his Cadillac it was cool
    Two by two they're still going down
    And the satellite circus just left town
    I think they're strange and when they're dead
    They can have a Lincoln for their bed
    Friend of the president trick of the tail
    Now they ain't got a prayer a hundred years in jail

    Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
    Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
    This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
    Holy smoke Writer/s: Bruce Dickinson, Stephen Percy Harris
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Martin from Reading, United KingdomI loved the video - Dave Murray playing his solo, water up to his knees in a stream. A brilliant antidote to the ego guitarists video'd on top of a moutain! & the lyrics are very sharp & profound - this stuff simply had to be said at the time
  • Rock Lee from Hidden Leaves Village, Japan"I've lived in filth, I've lived in sin, and I still smell cleaner than the sh-t you're in". LOL I love that line!
  • Jaymz from Ayr, ScotlandI think it is about those TV Evangelists you get in America selling religion on TV and buying Cadillacs and other things with the cash that people send in. If you read the lyrics that's what it leads to.
  • Tadpole from Fayettville, Arthis is the only song i know of that Maiden uses profanity
  • Kiran from Shelton, Ctyea this is a good song on corrupt religous leaders
  • Ringgo from Montclair, CaThe video for this was pretty funny...i remember watching it once and couldnt help snickering at it. Cool song, by the way
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?