Flight of Icarus

"Flight of Icarus" is the eighth single by Iron Maiden, written by lead singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith. The song was released as a single in April 11th, 1983. It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Top Album Tracks chart, the highest position of any single in the US, and peaked at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is the third track from the 1983 studio album Piece of Mind.

Lyrics
As the sun breaks above the ground, An old man stands on the hill As the ground warms to the first rays of light A birdsong shatters the still

His eyes are ablaze See the madman in his gaze

Fly, on your way, like an eagle Fly as high as the sun On your way, like an eagle Fly and touch the sun Yeah, hmm

Now the crowd breaks and a young boy appears, Looks the old man in the eye As he spreads his wings and shouts at the crowd, In the name of God my father I fly

His eyes seem so glazed, As he flies on the wings of a dream Now he knows his father betrayed, Now his wings turn to ashes to ashes his grave

Fly, on your way, like an eagle Fly as high as the sun On your way, like an eagle Fly and touch the sun

Yeah Fly, on your way, like an eagle Fly as high as the sun On your way, like an eagle Fly as high as the sun On your way, like an eagle Fly and touch the sun On your way, like an eagle Fly, fly as high as the sun Ahh

Length

 * Album version: 3:49
 * 1985 live: 3:21

Personnel

 * Bruce Dickinson - vocals
 * Dave Murray - guitar
 * Adrian Smith - guitar
 * Steve Harris - bass guitar
 * Nicko McBrain - drums

Trivia

 * "Flight of Icarus" is the band's first single to feature drummer Nicko McBrain.
 * The song was one of few Iron Maiden songs to gain substantial airplay in the US.
 * Despite being one of the band's most famous songs, "Flight of Icarus" was not performed live after 1986 until on May 26, 2018 during the Legacy of the Beast World Tour.