When are your Wasted Years? Vocal ANALYSIS of Iron Maiden, and Bruce Dickinson leaves me stunned!

[@greggs3808]

Nothing makes you feel old more than a young person saying it was 40 years ago, and you remember going to get the album when it came out.

[@richeels68]

Yeah I was going to say, thanks for that Elizabeth!

[@lorraineelizondo6398]

Riiight??😂

[@patvanderreest7416]

Oh, I recall buying the album, too - but it rather feels refreshing, and renewing, to see that what we loved when we were young is just as relevant today. So I don't feel older for the sensation, but instead confirmed. It's lovely to have that boost.

[@720kla]

I went to see them on this tour. When she said 40 years i was like, no don’t say that

[@dmitryowens]

She's not that young - I'd say mid-30's. I hear you though.

[@mjix1984]

One of Iron Maiden's best songs and it's because Adrian Smith wrote it. That guy is such an underrated musician, it's criminal. Loved watching this!

[@Madman6505]

Adrian has always been my favorite. He puts so much feeling in his music and solos.

[@SimoneRistori]

There's a reason why no prayer for the dying was so terrible

[@valeriekyriakopoulos1018]

Adrian is the soul of Iron Maiden. The records without him are just a bit lifeless and bland. I'm so glad he came back to the band in 2000.

[@jamesgrant8762]

Best guitarist in Maiden

[@aaronperretta4303]

Adrian is one of the metal greats, up there with LaRocque as one of the most underrated.

[@Flagg795]

More Maiden is always the answer to everything. What a great start to the week!

[@MarcelNL]

Amazing song! Wasn't this the one that they were forced to playback and they had lots of fun with it? My absolute favourite song of theirs is infinite dreams. I REALLY am hoping for a review of that one!

[@Flagg795]

@@MarcelNL Infinite Dreams was definitely my favorite off 7th Son! I was super bummed when they left it off the Maiden England tour a few years back.

[@MarcelNL]

@@Flagg795 I can imagine! It is SO POWERFUL! And it shows several differnt singing techniques.The spiritual meaning of the song also should not be underestimated. This would be a seriously interesting review! I hope some of the patreons will request this. I have no money to put this under her attention but I am really hoping for it!

[@geerttaelemans657]

That song makes me so happy AND so sad

[@Flagg795]

@@MarcelNL “It’s not the fear of what’s beyond, it’s just that I might not respond”

[@temucanobritish8943]

Adrian Smith is arguably one of the most underrated guitar players in heavy metal. His solos are consistently full of melody and perfectly complement the songs. He deserves so much more recognition for his talent!

[@kforcer]

Maybe my favorite guitarist of all-time. His STORYTELLING is absolutely amazing. Although I'd say the same of Murray, Janick and actually, Stratton too. But Smith is definitely special. He knows just how to tell the story the song is aiming to express. He's a great vocalist too; ASAP was great and so was his one lead vocal track for Maiden, "Reach Out."

[@Vertchewal]

This album may be one of the most underrated metal albums of all time. Every solo/break is a gem, from this to Stranger in a Strange Land, to Alexander the Great. Just magic.

[@kforcer]

@@Vertchewal 100%. Absolute perfection.

[@fleshwounds]

He's not under rated in the metal world. And either is Steve Harris. Both guitar and bass gods. Very talented.

[@temucanobritish8943]

@@Vertchewal Stranger in a strange land’s solo is not from this world. What a song man, too bad they never play it live!

[@sixx3553]

Just saw them for the first time last weekend in Toronto. I’ve waited forty years for that moment and I cried when they played this song in the encore

[@ClifftopTragedy]

So glad you finally got to see them. This made me smile. Maiden will always be remembered as one of the most legendary bands. The 80s and 90s were golden for me with so much amazing music to be discovered but every year is still a new adventure.

[@jrg770]

They are coming back in 2025 and doing a setlist from the first 7 albums.

[@poppyhimbo]

@@jrg770 they need to do a pre-Janick tour....then I might go see them again!

[@metal-adventures-joerg]

Reaction to my favorite Maiden Song, tomorrow on my 53th Birthday! Best gift ever! Thanks to Elisabeth! Greetings from Stuttgart Germany (Maiden Fan since 1982)! And remember: "Don't waste your Time always searching for those wasted Years!" ;)

[@markdanielt.5100]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKGbfYqCqsqEla8 Here is my version of Wasted Years made in virtual reality with Tilt Brush (Open Brush now). Really just messing around and seeing what I could do with Tilt Brush. Other people can have a totally different take on the same song and that is the beauty of being able to generate art with music on the fly. anyone can post their art on You Tube as well. All free!

[@Canbilly2]

Mine is power slave.

[@carlgibson285]

Happy birthday for tomorrow!

[@MattSkosh]

My brother turned 54 yesterday.

[@AceAnnie1-7]

Happy Birthday!

[@matthewrobinson9955]

One of my best friends was in the hospital on life support. This is one of his favorite Iron Maiden songs. I went in several times and played this song for him on my phone. I didn’t think he could hear it but I was hoping he could. On the day they told us to tell him goodbye I went in and played him the Ryan Adams acoustic version of this song, told him I loved him and said my goodbyes. By the grace and a miracle of God and modern medicine the next day he started improving. Less than three weeks later he walked out of the hospital. So yes I believe in the power of maiden and metal but more importantly I believe in the power of Love and God ❤

[@julien2231]

If true thats awesome, but it sounds made up.

[@SimoneRistori]

Nice story but I suggest you believe in the power of medicine :)

[@jackfee1652]

I would like know, did he tell you at some point that he heard it? Thanks

[@RazzBurr]

Ave Xristos Rex!

[@bryanjordan4262]

The shock of Ryan Adams murdering his favourite Maiden song probably gave him that jolt of life that he needed!

[@sarahburns870]

Just wanted to say I Wish Nico all the best and a full recovery from a stroke he had recently

[@christophermerlot3366]

Got to meet Niko many years a go at a meet n' greet. He was quite funny and super chill.

[@randywissler9923]

From everything I've seen lately, he's pretty much fully recovered from it.

[@Gravstein]

Went to see them playing in Bergen last year; they where in great form and Nico was in the grove from the start.

[@DimenJump]

very recent upload (this week) of a speech by Nicko while he's touring with his band Titanium Tart /watch?v=nWKqAHERrxs

[@TechnicalBard]

I read an article in the last few days about how they have changed up some songs where Nicko can't do the original fills anymore, and even dropped songs from the setlist because he is, in his words, at about 70%

[@MrBmathis6620]

Growing up, I was constantly bullied in school and was at a point I was considering ending it all, when I discovered Iron Maiden. I got lost in the Great music and and remember buying this when it was first released. This song is my favorite song and lifts my spirit every time I hear it.

[@Caeser194]

I've been a truck driver going on 28 years,miss everything,watching kids growing up in pictures.This song hits home.Did what I had to do supporting a family but the cost was high

[@room22-1]

The fact that you recognized Eddie, makes me believe you are a true fan, now. Up the Irons!!!

[@lorraineelizondo6398]

Up the Irons!!!

[@matthbva]

Up the Irons!

[@chickenpermission8376]

Up the Irons!

[@marklivingston1479]

Up the Irons!

[@michaelmitchell629]

Up the Irons, Always!!

[@NBLP7001]

"Time you enjoy wasting, wasn't wasted." Bertrand Russell

[@jimmyboy131]

Because that time being wasted was actually time living life, whatever life is like at that moment.

[@AndrewReiwitch-sw9lf]

Well said! 👍👍🤘🤘

[@girs666]

Very « Dude » point of view! Abide !

[@JasonThomas-u9p]

Enjoyment!!!

[@tomtreece4081]

My senior year yearbook quote from 1984.

[@justinforsberg2393]

Just saw them in concert two nights ago, and they haven’t lost anything!!!!

[@manricobianchini5276]

One of my favorite Iron Maiden songs.

[@surfdigby]

I think Adrian also deserves some recognition for his fantastic vocals on this song (he sings the harmonies. it's not Bruce overdubbing). I think it benefits from Adrian's part not just running in parallel motion to Bruce's, but having a melody of it's own. There are isolated vocal tracks on KZbin that really highlight this. And, of course, Adrian's guitar solo is just perfection. His playing on the whole Somewhere In Time album is a masterclass in how to serve the song.

[@SuomiGameHUB]

I think Adrian also deserves recognition for writing this song.

[@drewhendrix502]

I'd say he needs credit for writing an incredible guitar solo

[@aaronperretta4303]

Adrian is easily the most talented member of Maiden.

[@WastedYears1991]

Listen to the b side for this - Reach Out - Adrian does the main vocals

[@Elixium]

Watching maiden live going from glorious Adrian solos into a horrible mess from Janick 😮

[@MetalPilgrim]

This song is possibly one of the best concert closers ever written! So happy they're closing The Future Past tour with it ;)

[@MetalGildarts]

Oh are they Vlad? Sick!

[@TheKLeifheit13]

This song is awful to sing as a concert or set closer if your technique is as garbage as mine is 😅 nothing like jamming and singing for 4 hours just to have my drummer call out Wasted Years at the end to finish shredding ye olde vocal cords...

[@thomastackett2577]

Always wanted to see that show but I was 12 then and didn't know Iron Maiden yet. Saw them in 90, my 1st concert

[@Ragetothefullest]

​@@thomastackett2577 the Future Past show thats being talked about is now my friend, your chance is still there!

[@ToTheLeftOfBernie]

Up the irons! Can't wait for more Maiden! Thank you Elizabeth!

[@MarcelNL]

Infinite dreams!!!! That one is legendary!

@@MarcelNL Good pick. "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" would be another good showcase, for the operatic side of Bruce (and the rest of the boys too), I think.😉

[@Darkanas]

Bruce is my childhood hero and listening to Iron Maiden and its own songs helped me to fight depression some years ago, I have nothing but love and admiration for these guys

[@dienorweganer]

It helped me as well and I am so thankful that there is also still a young community for them. Not big but they are more friendly and open than for example Rammstein or Slipnot fans. I don't know why but that's what I experienced... Most of them like me also like fantasy and historical stuff and so on and not only hard and screamo music...😅

[@tasoss.1385]

Congratulations, you just experienced the best metal song ever written.

[@clydeotoole7663]

This album, "Somewhere in Time", is entirely about time, or more specifically, different ways of experiencing time. Alexander the Great is about history. Wasted Years is about regretting lost time. Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner is about internal perception of time. Stranger in a Strange Land is based on the sci-fi novel. Somewhere in Time is about time travel. Etc. Cool concept.

[@thekarltonkrill]

Fun fact: Stranger in a Strange Land is about John Torrington, of the lost Franklin Expedition of 1845, whose frozen mummy was exhumed in 1984. You can find photos on the web. He was a young man on an expedition to find the northwest passage, but had left home to die in the frozen arctic. Adrian Smith was inspired to write the lyrics pondering the mystery of Torrington’s experience and death. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Torrington

[@MrMajikman1]

@@thekarltonkrill Awesome fact! I didn't know that.

[@Behemcom]

Played at my mother's funeral. She loved this song.

[@reelheel5919]

Fucking legend 🤘😎🤘 RIP to your mom.

[@croaker4747]

Fuck yeah.

[@davidhester9897]

Saw them in 1985 during the Powerslave tour, man what a concert that was. One of the best concerts I've ever experienced, their live sound that night was so good, just perfect.

[@jamesleyda365]

Damn! I'm envious of you, my first was the Seventh son tour 88 in Spokane Wa

[@chriswiedeman2956]

I was at Long Beach Arena in CA when they recorded the shows for Live After Death, night #2. "Scream for me, Long Beach!!"

[@jollygiant]

@@jamesleyda365seventh son for me too in Edinburgh👍

[@pigsonthewing32570]

I saw SIT tour at MSG in 87' my junior year. Best concert I ever saw, changed me forever and I still listen to them regularly.

[@jamesleyda365]

@@jollygiant awesome!🤘

[@MM_in_Havasu]

The chorus in this tune hits home bigtime with me! I'm 67 years old and try to live life to its fullest all the time, even in retirement. No such thing as wasted time with me! This is one of my favorite tunes! "So understand, Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years Face up, make your stand Realize you're living in the golden years.........!!!" Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for a great analysis of this timeless tune. It should be a wakeup call for all of us to go forward in life even if there are rough patches. I went through a previous marriage before marrying my current wife, so know all about wasted years from some 34 years ago! I sucked it up and went forward. Life's too short to waste it!

[@AI_Surfer]

In 1986 I was in my early 20s. I lived in the Los Angeles area so I listened to the radio station KNAC on a daily basis. I'll never forget driving down the road one Autumn afternoon and hearing 'Wasted Years' on my car radio. The song blew me away. By the time the song finished I was already half way to Tower Records to buy the 'Somewhere In Time' album on cassette.

[@EricMorris-wz2qq]

I was 10 when I bought it in 1988 but that was my first Maiden Album . I bought all of them afterfard and I'm going to see them live in 2 months for my 7th time .

[@Cadinho93]

Life-changing song. It's one of Iron Maiden's all time best songs and I can't wait to see them live again in November. Also, I have learned more history, religion, etc. from Iron Maiden songs than any class I have ever took.

[@soupdragonuk]

They should do away with history teachers at school, and just played Iron Maiden or Sabaton songs. You'll learn history in a more direct way.

[@michaeleverett2650]

One of my favorites from iron maiden, That whole album is just killer.

[@marklyman6772]

I agree and there is not a bad song on the album. Great artwork on the album as well.

[@dorn0531]

My favourite Maiden album. It sums up the best of the 80s for me.

@@marklyman6772 The same. And the artwork is just...🤌

[@obbekjaer]

I grew up in a simple working class family in the 80s and 90s. My mom worked as a cleaning lady all her life. My dad worked as a welder almost his entire working life. Both taught me valuable life lessons. My mom taught me and my sister the joys of a big kitchen garden and making all sorts of food yourself, preserves, jam, cooking and baking and whatnot. My dad taught me how to make/repair stuff and work on my car and later my house. And both of them showed me one important thing in life: The joy of helping others without expecting something in return. And by coincidence, my older sister introduced me to a lot of music, including Iron Maiden. Listening to TNOTB and Powerslave on vinyl in her room :)

[@PaulHabrelewicz-s3r]

I “borrowed” my sisters maiden albums all the time! Seen them when I was twelve and started drum lessons the next day! Clive was a big influence!! R.I.P.

[@riverside6836]

I bought Live After Death cassette when I was 14 years old. This single came next year. My kids say that I am old but i still sometimes feel like that 14 year old 🥰

[@mikepalmer1971]

I copied my cousins Love After Death cassette. It was my introduction to Iron Maiden around that same time. I was immediately hooked for life.

[@Anjohl]

Because you are still that 14 year old!

[@riverside6836]

@@Anjohl You too man. I love your comment :)

[@Koagulator]

this song is actually about how fed up Adrian and Bruce were with the recording and touring schedule and how Adrian was missing his family

[@ponuryzniwiarz]

Adrian writes best Maiden's song. Greetings from Poland 👍✌🤘

[@metalmark1214]

A Maiden Monday. This is one of Maiden's biggest mainstream sounding songs. It has a good retrospective video showing pictures of Eddie's they have had in the past, pictures from them on tours and activities that the members are into like football (USA soccer) and fencing. The thumbnail shows Iron Maiden when they went to Poland. They became the first Heavy Metal act to play behind what was known at the time as the "Iron Curtain"

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

Yes, with the synths and all many die-hard fans at the time felt that Maiden "sold out" with the release of Somewhere in Time. Adrian "Pop-star" Smith and all that.

[@tonypoore440]

​@@TorIverWilhelmsenAdrian Smith wrote some of Maiden's most popular songs, so yeah, Pop Star wouldn't be too far off. Rock Star Adrian Smith is probably better.

[@tay13666]

@@TorIverWilhelmsen Maiden brought some of that on themselves. Many of their previous album covers had in the fine print on the back 'No synths ever" Personally, I didn't care. I just knew what they were doing sounded great,

[@MonkeyJedi99]

This song also reminds of some of the music from Unleash the Archers. I know, I know, the chronology is Iron Maiden, THEN UtA. But I like that there is a sort of heritage of feel and style.

[@mehill00]

@@tay13666I remember it saying “no synthesizers or ulterior motives” on at least one of their earlier albums.

[@ritareesedass]

THANK YOU for being one of the first reviewers I've seen to acknowledge Steve Harris's bass riffs! The man is my freaking idol and a bass God and I never see him get enough attention 🤘😝🤘

[@bluefish4999]

He's very well regarded in the Bass player circle, but yeah us bass players never get enough credit, especially in rock/metal.

[@xtreme4stringbass]

He is one of my top three inspirations with Geezer and Geddy. The trifect of the low end.

[@Fishin4funout4trout]

Brilliant songwriter too

[@enmitygauged44]

Me being a teen in the 80's, he was always highly regarded. I saw the Powerslave tour in the front row back in 1984 & was lucky enough to catch one of his West Ham wrist bands he threw into the crowd!

[@ritareesedass]

@@enmitygauged44 I grew up in the 80's, too and Powerslave was my fav album but I was too young to catch that tour. I'm so freaking jealous! 🤘😝🤘

[@elimi250se]

Greeting from Japan! I've just been to IronMaiden Gigs! And I agree with you that Bruce is a Great story teller with full of emotion!

[@jamiemccarthy7937]

One of their best songs and one of the greatest guitar solos ever written. It's not difficult to play from a purely technical standpoint but the note selection and phrasing are perfection. The song soars and the solo takes it just that much higher.

[@arkgent8390]

I graduated high school in '87. In my senior year book I listed this as my favorite song. Still true to this day.

[@adambishop4655]

I attempted to get this song as our high school graduation theme in 2001. Still my favourite Maiden song!

[@toddzino58]

SAME!!!! Too funny.

[@Afc70]

Somewhere in Time is my favorite maiden album.. love the whole thing.. title track is awesome, and “Alexander the Great” is a history lesson essentially. Wonderful, melodic guitars, Steve Harris laying down the 16th note bass gallops, Bruce’s soaring vocals..and Nicko’s often overlooked but fabulous drumming..

[@dorn0531]

Same. Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner is another song I love. The lyrics are so motivating, uplifting. Like you CAN do this, you CAN get through. The whole album is a masterpiece.

[@thomastackett2577]

Powerslave and Subway in Time were the golden era of Iron Maiden.

[@geertvdvorstenbosch]

Nicko's drumming on Deja Vu is phenomenal!

[@maartencautereels1206]

This is one of the most beautifull and meaningful songs maiden ever did. Congrats

[@slowster2945]

0:20 in and lady, I can tell you. This is one of the most emotional songs I have ever known. It hits you right in the gut. There aren't many songs that ever hit me in a way similar to how this one did. One of the few times that the music and the lyrics truly mesh into one thing, one being, one entity. Iron Maiden has so many epic songs with incredibly captivating lyrics, but this is one of the few that actually dials in to innate human emotion. This one hurts a little bit. It's not like their songs about medieval England or Egyptian mythology. It's personal. And that's what makes this particular song stand out. Doesn't hurt that it's an absolutely face-melting, rocking tune!

[@edward22x]

This is the "other side" of Iron Maiden. The whole song and the lyrics were written by Adrian Smith, the one playing the "spiral melody" and the solo. It has its unique style because it wasn't "Stevized". Same goes for 2 other songs in the album: Sea of Madness ( My favourite 'Adrian song', I think you might check that as well ) and Stranger in a Strange Land.

[@Maidenrules29]

Adrian is in my top 5 guitarists easily. Besides Maiden I love A.S.A.P and Psycho Motel, and of course his work with Bruce. Simply amazing.

[@michaelmcdermott209]

This is my very favorite Iron Maiden song. This is their sound at the very peak of their creativity.

[@kevinfryman7143]

One of my top 2 favorite songs from Maiden. 2nd favorite is Stanger in a Strange Land. Unbelievable guitar solo by Adrian Smith! Seeing Maiden live in concert is an event to behold. Thank You

[@matthewgarrison-perkins5377]

Good choice!

[@adambishop4655]

YES!

[@brheinfeldt]

This song hits me in a lot of ways. In 2000, I suffered a severe head trauma injury that I actually have a death certificate! This took 5 yrs to recover from. I wasn't able to go to my home near Dallas, TX, because I couldn't care for myself, as I was in a near-vegetative state for 16 months and my family, in a very small town in South Texas, had to help me during my recovery and rehab. When I was able to start thinking of my home, I missed it terribly! I couldn't wait to get back! So many things changed in the course of that 5 yrs, and when I was able to go back... it no longer felt like home. I didn't recognize that city. Everything was so different to me, so strange that I never moved back. Everything changed in that 5 years... people, technologies, everything! And I've wasted a lot of time trying to catch up, trying to recapture 5 yrs that I lost. And now my "golden years" are on my horizon, and I'm somewhere in between... chasing... something I can't see. This song gives, perhaps, a deeper meaning to me than, maybe, to other people. Still, every day above ground is a good day! 😉👍

[@keanumunteanu]

Wish you good health and lovely golden many years to come!!

[@damianmmx]

My favorite son and guitar Solo... Adrian smith plays with his heart.

[@brun0silva]

Adrian wrote this song. The Powerslave tour was long and hard, too much time away from home, and these guys where only in their 20's...we're all human. There's always a story of sacrifice behind success. How I miss 1986. I was 7 years old and this album had such an impact on me...like I was missing something I hadn't lived yet...

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

GREAT SONG!!! Reminds me of my cousin that passed away. We both loved this song as young metal head teens in the 80’s and 90’s. He died in 2022. Just weeks after we had been discussing this exact song and the meaning behind it concerning our lives. I had gone away to the military for 22 years and 5 deployments to the middle east. I was about to retire and go back home where we were going to start a bar band. He had a tough time with drugs in the time I had been gone. He had been clean for a while. And then he was gone…. 😢 Realize you’re living in the golden years….. Don’t let them pass you by.

[@Greg-jm1nj]

Definitely my favorite Maiden song! Hits you in the feels when you get older. Maiden was my first concert in ‘86 when I was 13. I am seeing them again this year, for the 10th time, in Chicago. Can’t wait!!

[@croaker4747]

Philly on Nov 1st! Can’t wait!!!

[@bghammock]

Definitely my favorite Adrian song, and one of my favorite Maiden songs.

[@ryant3600]

Adrian had a few gems on the SIT album for sure. I think Paschendale is my favorite of his though (even though he split the writing credits w/ Harris) but its a special song for sure.

[@Chalepastel]

@@ryant3600 paschendale is so absurdly underrated

[@bghammock]

@@Chalepastel Definitely is. I just got chill bumps thinking about it! LOL

[@Chalepastel]

@@bghammock Dance of the dead / Death on the road are my peak Iron Maiden era

[@bghammock]

@@Chalepastel I can get behind that.

[@ExecutorCR]

This was the song that made me discover metal music. That kid in high school grew up developed to this time. Now I just listen to this as a 40 years old man with a smile in my face while I remember those "golden years".

[@Andre-gy2kq]

This song saved my life, not one, but many times. And a i cry everytime i listen to this song.

[@erikguidotti8640]

I'm a guitarist. This is one of my favorite Maiden songs to play. The chord change under the chourus sounds so "happy" because the song is the singer (more properly guitarist Adrian Smith who wrote the lyrics, the guitar intro, chord structure and solo) having a conversation with himself where the verses are one side of his mind lamenting life on the road, while the more positive side of his mind points out that he is wasting his life dwelling on the negative when that very same life has put some postive stuff in his path. Elizabeth, in answer to your favorite song question, my favorite Maiden tune over all is Paschedale . I"m also a retired Soldier and a combat veteran. I have PTSD and a LOAD of survivors guilt. For some odd reason, that song helps me deal with that suvivors guilt and ptsd. I don't know why, and my therepist at the V.A. doesn't know why either.

[@aaronperretta4303]

Adrian Smith is the best, most talented member of Maiden.

[@ferox965]

Well put. Very best wishes.

[@cracked-actor]

Paschendale is amazing, one of their best songs.

[@ComicalHealing]

Paschendale is also written by Adrian.

[@Fedorchik1536]

Cheers for a fellow Paschendale enjoyer! I've heard many great songs about horrors of Great War (and war in general), but this one just feels so incredibly intimate and tragic. Nothing comes close to that.

[@andorius]

I lost a good friend a few days ago, after the funeral we had a good few drinks, we realized that friendship is never wasted. Thank you Elisabeth!

[@brendanscullion6218]

This has been a favorite for decades. I sing it loud in the car.

[@garethholmes]

Adrian bringing the harmonies. His vocals are really underrated. When's Liz and Bruce for tea?

[@hugotorres511]

I will tell a story. I've been listening to this song for perhaps almost 40 years, it's without a doubt one of my favorites by Iron Maiden, who are also one of the bands in my top 10. Of the more than a thousand times I've heard "Wasted Years", sometimes even randomly in a set list , there wasn't a single one that didn't bring tears to my eyes, it's inexplicable, and this has happened since those times when I was a kid and couldn't understand a phrase in English, which may seem strange, but probably because musically it carries within itself the whole feeling of a message they´ve wanted to share. It's fantastic!

[@bryanbutler4116]

It's amazing how a song about being on constant tour and feeling like you missed out on "real life" while you're on the move just resonates. Then the lyrics take you from remorse at what you missed to focusing on now. It isn't too late to make your life better, no matter where you are. It's just such a great song.

[@NoahWolfe]

Adrian Smith's solo is remarkable here. It services the song perfectly without showing off (a rarity in those heady days of full on shred) and the resolution back in to the final chorus is just perfection. It brings me great joy as an old guitarist to see it move you on a first listen. Brilliant album!

[@dorn0531]

Adrian, Dave & Janick are very underrated guitarists. Adrian is incredibly multi-talented, extremely versatile. Dave is the smoothest, cleanest player I’ve ever heard. Janick is insanely creative & energetic. They all deserve more credit than they get.

[@Powermad-bu4em]

I've always said the last note of the solo is worth the price of admission by itself.

[@joergojschaefer3521]

It's never a waste of time to spend some #letsgoback time with Elizabeth doing a reaction, especially when she explains the voice and style of Bruce Dickinson and the Maidens Band! 🤘Up the Irons, my friends, up the Irons! 🤘

[@TheFuriousfunk]

Every Iron Maiden song makes you feel like you are riding on a horse into battle

[@jean-pierreboies9749]

It's called galloping bass line.

[@tommydeamon7657]

Thats litterley cause of the galloping technique the guitars and base aply to all there cord and note progressions its kinda there thing sure other bands do it to espeshilly from that time period listen to mettalica four horsemen off of kill em all the guitar and bass definitly galloup

[@rccola5167]

Run to the hills most especially. Or was the name "the trooper"? Can't remember.

[@hamster0147]

​@@jean-pierreboies9749 Or the trooper 😊

[@daviesm73]

Steve is truly the master of the gallop.

[@annahaynes9915]

56 years old and still loving every note of every song.

[@fernandomedeiros3393]

Adrian Smith, ladies and gentleman. Such class, you guys.

[@kjohnsenart6995]

I love Bruce's vocals in Run to the Hills, and the storytelling is beyond fantastic

[@johnfurnish1458]

Run to the Hills, about my dad's ancestors. Great tune.

[@uap4544]

Somewhere in time it's the peak of Iron Maiden

Powerslave for me... but not by much. 😉

[@fabioperelli1830]

7 son for me

[@stefanomaccheo]

I still believe she should totally react to Bruce solo singing Tears of the Dragon instead of more Maiden just to have a different viewpoint of his talent.

[@dragontears4me989]

YES PLEASE!!!!

[@brucedickinson12]

The tribuzy live version

[@MMaroni7]

@@brucedickinson12 YES!

[@marcuszaja6589]

Second that. Amazing song and vocals.

[@jamesmarschalk5564]

I actually love Bruce's solo stuff more than Maiden but love both

[@scott3362]

I was 16 when this album came out. I didn't have my license yet and had to have my mom drive me to the mall the day it came out. She didn't have a cassette player in her car, so all I could do was read the lyrics/liner notes on the way home. I'm sure I spent the rest of the day in my room playing it over and over. Wasted Years is still my all time favorite Maiden song. Even more so as I push on through my mid 50's🤘

[@scooty5403]

This song brings back great memories and sadness. I taught my best friend in high school how to play this. It was his favorite song. 30 years later this was played at his funeral

[@thelonewolf7443]

Such a beloved song off of their “Somewhere In Time” album, very sentimental! #UpTheIrons

[@MatthewGClarke]

I hope you like this, Adrian Smith is my favourite ever guitarist and one of the best metal songwriters out there!

[@rickj6348]

I love this song so much that I have had it as a ring tone for over 20 years! Thanks for doing a reaction to it!

[@InspectorRumpole]

Probably my favorite Maiden song. Makes you reflect on life, while still being a kick-ass song. And that guitar solo!

[@jeffpreston1392]

Ever since hearing it the first time, Wasted Years is my favorite Maiden song.

[@bmb3178]

Finally some good music back on the channel!

[@matthewgarrison-perkins5377]

PIcking a "favorite" Maiden song is like being asked to pick your "favorite" child.....with that in mind, I'd have to go with Infinite Dreams from The Seventh Son of a Seventh Son album. But, honestly, I could have gone with 20+ other songs, Iron Maiden is brilliant and beautiful and powerful.

[@jeffreymeyer4848]

Well put... And good pick!

[@aaro_koivisto25]

I love how I agree with your statement, AND your pick

[@Flagg795]

So far I have 10 shows booked and counting this year. There is no better live band. Period. 🤘

[@alejandrojimenezortiz9900]

The lyrics were written by Adrian Smith, the guy who plays the solo and makes the backing vocals. This is the most uplifting Iron Maiden song, and one of their best.

[@ferox965]

One of the best choruses...ever. One of my fave videos by them...it's like they're at rehearsal. Simple and very effective. In my case, I was the only musician in a family of jocks and sports people. My family never wavered in their faith in me. Got very sick with ulcerative colitis. Became an award winning trumpet player. Surgery put me in a two month coma, and I physically died on the table. 25 years ago this month. Had to retire the horn due to the abdominal surgery after 25 years. Took up bass full-time. I'm playing through tons of great gigs and festivals. I became a respected bassist in my second life. On the best run I've ever had. Be where you are. Live it through.

[@thelastjuiceblender5915]

Damn can you borrow me a little bit of that thing called "determination" ?

[@JCPaintGuy]

Thank you for doing a dive into my favorite Iron Maiden song, Elizabeth! Bruce’s vocals are so uplifting, the guitar work is virtuosic as always, and the bass line is incredibly intricate and inspiring. As a drummer, when I was first learning to play, this song was new and the guys I was playing with wanted to do it. I had to learn Nicko’s drum line and it is deceptive. It doesn’t sound that hard to those who don’t “hear it” but it is not easy to learn and play. Iron Maiden sets a high bar for musicians - from drums to lead vocals and harmonies, you have to bring your “A” game. As always, you bring humor and raw emotion to you analysis, so thank you, again, for diving into my favorite Maiden song!!

[@michaelclements5793]

She's going to conquer the world. She's at 1.71 million and counting. She's had tea with some really big names. My friends and coworkers are highly varied in our KZbin consumption, but we all know The Charismatic Voice is. Your childhood dream is coming true, Elizabeth.

[@FreighedNought]

Elizabeth! Get out there and sing!!!!

[@BrianMaidenO2]

I'd love to hear Elizabeth singing this one! I was lucky enough to see Maiden on the Powerslave and Somewhere in Time Tours (and others). Great song, great band. I even saw the guys playing football (soccer).

[@jamesleyda365]

I absolutely love and miss my childhood. I ran the rainforest and Olympic mountains of Washington State building tree forts, playing in creeks, catching salamanders, making little log cabins, being chased by bison.... seriously! We knew someone that had bison roaming massive acreage. life was beautiful and just amazing🤘 i think about it and my friends & family back then in the early 80s 🔥🤘UP THE IRONS🤘🔥

[@vincebar6747]

This has always been one of my top favorite Maiden songs, one I'll never get tired of. Up the Irons!

[@FabrizioTheSoundGuy]

Wasted Years is a perfect example about how Adrian Smith’s songs’ writing is great and founding, and how he brought Irons beyond. Somewhere in Time is an underrated masterpiece in Irons discography, that stood the test of time. An album that every Rock fans should have on his home

[@danielcelier]

Love the song, and that album is a master piece.

[@jimharris367]

My childhood was defined by growing up in a small village in the south West of England. My friends and I, particularly my best friend who lived three doors down, spent all our time in the fields and woods around the area, climbing tree's, playing football, swimming in the river - magical times. These days as we approach sixty years of age we are still best friends and meet regularly to get lunch, talk nonsense and reminisce about those wonderful days which we were so lucky to experience. Great reaction as always, to one of Maiden's more thoughtful and introspective tracks.

[@archie7218]

I’m 20 and in the same situation, although doubtless different due to the different eras. I lived in a village near Exeter until i was 15.

[@iwonttell4958]

This is a song about being a band member on the road, longing for home. Feeling life is being wasted on traveling from town to town, not realizing you're "in your golden years". Just like Bon Jovis "Dead or alive". Wasted years along with "Stranger in A Strange Land" is my all time favorites from the best metal album (Somewhere in time), by IMHO the best metal band trough the ages. 🙂 its a retrospective lyric, that's why you see all the old album covers, "We traveled the world, missing home, yet we were living our dreams" . Bruce D. talks about "The theater of the Mind", reaching out to the person in the back of the audience, "You, I want to reach You", bringing the person into the story being told. Very theatrical!

[@eddrummerhands9448]

as a 13 yo in 1986 never lost the love of this music, and at 51! the same! hope the same for others!

[@williamphillips7527]

Iron Maiden reminds me of my dad. He always played it in the garage. Very nostalgic hearing the beginning

[@mr.z541]

He played it in his garage so you wouldn't see him cry. At least that's what I do. I can't play this song with people around me.

[@john9508]

Back story of this - Adrian (guitarist) playing it in the studio, Steve (bassist/leader) says I like it, Adrian says too commercial, Steve - Nah we are having that, the rest is history. Bruce has just finished his solo tour with his latest album, bit of a rest before touring with IM to Americas and Aus/NZ

[@alanofionnachta8539]

I love Adrian's backing vocals and although he didn't write it, I love Adrian singing the b-side - 'Reach Out. '

[@randywissler9923]

​@@alanofionnachta8539reach out is an absolute banger!!

[@KiphartAZ]

​@alanofionnachta8539 - Have you heard ASAP? Adrian's solo debut called "Silver and Gold". It's great! It has Zak Starkey (Ringo Star's son / The Who) on drums. It's not "MAIDEN!" . But really good stuff!

[@secessioncycles1357]

Adrian wrote the song.

[@secessioncycles1357]

Adrian wrote the song and Bruce didn’t do any solo stuff until 1989 for a track foe A Nightmare on Elm Street.

[@FeaturingRob]

This song was one I loved so much when it came out in 1986. I was in the throws of my metal phase, and I was just starting high school. Between their previous album, Powerslave and the album that has this song, Somewhere In Time, I was very into Iron Maiden. What this song did to capture me was the opening riff played by Adrian Smith. The "spiralling" that you love so much, especially the instrumental break before the guitar solo. This is my favorite section of the song, even now. Before this song, my favorite Maiden member was always guitarist Dave Murray, but this made me reevaluate how much I like Adrian. Now, I love both of them. Mainly because Adrian wrote this song, his first song written solely by him for the band. When I was a kid, it was more about the guitar in this song. Now, in my 50s...its the lyrics. And I realize that the wasted years I have on my ledger, while I can do nothing about them, are extensive. All I can do is make today count. This is my second favorite Maiden song...my first is still 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. But, it doesn't matter...if its Maiden, it's AWESOME!!!! #UpTheIrons

[@obbekjaer]

Guitars apart, I really love how much Steve's bass gets to shine on this one, even hitting higher notes during the guitar solo without getting in it's way, but just adding to the rising feeling.

[@brholder1]

"Run to the Hills" always gets me moving at a faster pace.

[@johngromadzki1350]

One of my all-time favorite songs. In fact, the opening is my phone's ringtone. Bruce and Adrian Smith (one of the two guitarists and the one that provides backing vocals during the chorus) had a really strong run of creating some great songs together.

[@GordoDrummer]

I've loved Bruce's voice ever since I heard him back in the mid 80's. And I still do today. What a "Trooper", to be able to do this even after throat cancer surgery. He's definitely my rock and roll idol. Thanks for covering this song. It's a all time favourite of mine.

[@Eddie-PT]

For me, this is one of the very best songs Maiden has ever recorded - undoubtedly, one of the best Heavy Metal songs ever made. It can relate to you, personally, in so many levels. And the way that it builds and builds and builds, until it explodes in that triumphant solo, is just breathtaking. The song is actually about, what I call, "The Artist's Paradox": to create something beautiful, to do something you love, many times you have to toil and suffer and grind away, until you succeed - if you ever succeed. In the tour, before this album, Maiden did almost 190 shows, in 11 months. That's what this song is about - the incessant work and struggle, and the inevitable cost and consequences that would impact their personal lives, all in the pursuit of their dreams, their "golden years". Witnessing this song, live, is a tremendous, emotional, unforgettable experience.

[@garythomas4431]

I must agree. It still makes the fur stand up.

[@ChrisLegner-qp1yh]

Thematically, Maiden's compositions have held up really well. As great as they are musically, the lyrics have always been interesting.

[@desynchonosisdragon9108]

Brings a tear

[@mikewasko4964]

As a teenager in the 80s , ive been to 100 concerts. I saw iron maiden every single time they came to the East Coast. Their concerts were way more than just playing music. Almost like a rock opera and broadway show, with long instrumentals telling a story, it was always amazing. Out of the bands of the 80s , iron stood above the regular hair bands. True musicians, just brilliant!

[@ghost_walker]

The song was written by guitarist Adrian Smith, about the length of the tour they finished for the previous album, Power Slave. They spent nearly an entire year touring and it weighed on them, as you can imagine.

[@htjong3586]

I was a teenager when this song came out. A whole generation of kids like me was trying to learn to play the intro on guitar. I am over 50 now and I still get goose bumps from this song. Still cannot play the intro though! 😂

[@ledgekindred]

I never thought of this song as too much longing for the time that was "wasted" so much as not wasting your time looking FOR that "wasted time" when it was never wasted in the first place. "The wasted time I've been searching for those wasted years. Face it, make your stand, and realize you're living in the golden years." It's better to be in the moment, as Elizabeth commented on, and the only waste of time is LOOKING for that wasted time. Realize the time you're in now is worth it.

[@venrakdrake]

So funny, my senior high school quote was "Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years". Now in my mid 20's I'm going through a difficult time, but I'm starting to come out of it. Starting to see the bright side of life and being my own best friend.

[@DarthPantherJ]

I emigrated from the UK to the US when i was a teenager, had some problems fitting in as a junior in high school. This song was essential for getting me through it. I love Iron Maiden but i remember listening to this song during those times and it spoke to me. Thanks for doing this one.

[@guyfrowny]

I heard this the first time this year and I still remember listening to it the first time driving to work in the morning and i swear I was literally in tears.