UNRAVELED & EXPLAINED: The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner

An in-depth, part by part analysis of this deep cut from Iron Maiden's 1986 album, Somewhere In Time.
Watch me play Adrian and Dave's Solos:
• Iron Maiden - The Lone...
Check out my NEW Channel, Nico's Guitar World:
• Video
Guitars:
Jackson USA Signature Adrian Smith San Dimas
Fender Dave Murray Signature Stratocaster
Squire Classic Vibe '70s Precision Bass
Plugins: BIAS FX II and Neural DSP Archetype: Petrucci
DAW: Reaper Audio
Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Strings: 9-46 (Jackson) 9-42 (Fender)
Picks: Ernie Ball Heavy

[@ericsyre9418]

Somewhere in Time is not only my favorite album but also a unique one in their discography. The artwork, the sound, the production, the themes: everything fits perfectly.

[@nicolasaraistrujak208]

the most underrated Iron Maiden song ever

[@MrMvidz]

The harmonies on this song are just peak Maiden stuff.

[@UltraPvnk]

An introspective song only possible on SiT, as much as Infinite Dreams was only possible on 7s. Impossible to grow tired of either. 2 of Maiden’s best.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Very very true!

[@KOSTAS84]

I went to Milano from Greece to watch the boys , SIT is my favorite album in all of music and I had to overcome financial issues to go watch the show. When they came on stage with "Caught" I seriously had an outer body experience. I travelled all the way back to my room as a kid first discovering the band and the album, the artwork , Bruce's voice , the solos , everything man. During "Alexander" I was numb and in tears almost through all of the song.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Being a fan of a band like this is incredible! It makes us do crazy things (like travel across countries at great expense just to watch a show) but as your experience shows, it is so greatly rewarding! 😊

[@aaroncoroner5915]

The three songs I wanted to hear live, Lonliness, Sea of Madness and Deja-vu, are the ones they aren't playing. My luck.

[@andrejobradovic8453]

Maiden played distance runner just once in their facinating career on September 10 1986 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. That was very first gig on Somewhere in Time tour. It was amazing show just like this channel is.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

🙏🙏🙏

[@manosassassin]

Man I wish they played it live on the tour! Don't get me wrong, the setlist is A BLESSING on this tour, but this song here is so underrated in my opinion. What a band.

[@Moonchilddbk]

First Iron Maiden song i heard in 1987 and it is still my favorite

[@benedictdonald4338]

Absolutely one of their top ten best songs. Their best album, IMO, as well.

[@MrAnthropic]

Hello Nico. Your breakdown of Hell on Earth inspired me to learn the entire Senjutsu album. Now I appreciate that album like I never did before. You're an inspiration. Hope you do a breakdown of Deja vu sometime in the near future. Thank you.

[@mephisto656]

Such a great song. I remember that every time i got new maiden album, i would put it on, lay down, close my eyes and dream. Every iron maiden song took me somewhere different and this song of course made me time travel to the future and imagine about this frantic race with so much at stake.

[@Manntisprayer]

This.

[@rachaeltownend6872]

Hands down one of my favourites on SiT and one I play regularly in my warmup routine. Great breakdown as always thank you!

[@gvc90]

I hope Steve Harris writes more songs with harmonics again, like in the old days. What a genius.

[@mathias6423]

Somewhere in time is one of those rare albums where I truly love every song. Not a single song on that album that I skip to get to another song that I want to hear more. These smaller breakdowns to learn about the structures of the songs area truly great. I am sitting with my guitar at the same time pausing and sometimes going back a bit to learn the parts 🤘 There was no better guitar duo than these two guys for me, and nowadays there is not a better guitar trio than the Maiden guys!

[@craigmurphy1204]

15:25 best part of the video!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

No argument there. 😂

[@lawrencemcstephens308]

Amazing breakdown of this incredible song, sir! This is one of my all-time favorite Iron Maiden songs, and I sometimes get choked up listening to it or singing it. Truly a beautiful, hopeful, determined song with immense depth of insight and feeling of the human condition! Isn't it incredible, too, how you can feel and hear the difference between Dave and Adrian's styles so clearly? Awesome tutorial, dude!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yeah the way their distinct styles blend so well together is incredible!

[@DavorMagdic]

Having heard this sound probably 1000 times in my life allows me to appreciate it even more after having seen this analysis. Thank you!

[@olivergarner1746]

The dog has good taste 😊 As someone who’s done quite a few distance runs, this song perfectly tells the story of running. The lyrics aren’t necessarily needed, the music just encapsulates all the emotions - urgency, determination, elation, struggle and triumph. Steves ability to really tap into the story he wants to tell through the music is quite something, by just subtlety changing a key here, or shifting the tempo there. And he does this by using the same notes he’s used since day one! All hail.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

His is a very very rare skill indeed! And yes, Miles is a conoisseur of good things 😅

[@aceshigh1984]

I don't really know if i can say that this my favourite SiT song, since there's not a single bad track on this record and i love all of them. But definitely one of my top ten Maiden songs. Kinda bummed that they don't play it on the current tour, but the setlist is near perfect, so it's by far no dealbreaker. Maybe they'll play it one day. Love your breakdowns of Maiden songs, always nice to see how nicely everything flows together

[@cr1s1s0ff41th]

very beautiful song, i get goosebumps every time i hear the intro and the fucking chorus!! one of maidens best and most underrated songs

[@maynard2012]

Loneliness has been a Top 10 Maiden song since the first time I heard it some 32-33 years ago. Its remained in my Top 10 even as new Maiden songs such as The Parchment, Isle of Avalon, Starblind, The Man Who Would Be King, The Darkest Hour, and Paschendale, and have all pushed into my top 10 also, lol!

[@kntzounis]

Definitely one my favorites. But seeing your videos, isolating each instrument, there is one question that comes to mind. What on earth happens in Steve’s Harris head? I mean you decide to compose on bass guitar and write once again a story. But the end product has so much work sonically (even if it is 1986, with the then available technology) which makes you wonder how he initially thought of the composition and how it ends up. There is some magic in the in between process. Sometimes I get the same feeling listening to Marillion songs, there must be so much work, arranging and discussion behind this kind of songs which we cannot even imagine.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I've asked myself that same question many times. My conclusion is that it's best not to think about things like that if you don't want to end up burning all your instruments. 😂😂

[@OldGuitarMan]

A while back, my son watched part of one of your videos with me - the "Stranger in a Strange Land" breakdown one - and said afterwards he didn't even feel qualified to listen to the song now 😄 Probably the same with this one 😁. The sheer amount of detail you give us about these songs is incredibly impressive - and don't think I didn't notice you gave us a little lyrical overview this time, too. Do more of that stuff! 👍🏻 I didn't like this song's lyrics in 1986. We were all like...how did we go from songs about horror, the supernatural, war, religion and all the rest to a song about jogging? 😄 Of course, we were young (around 17-ish) and didn't have the Internet or any easy resources to inform us about the source material - and no one knew anything about British 1950s sci-fi novels unless they'd been made into a popular American movie. Meh...we are who we are. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ At least I have a better appreciation for it now, even if I still hold the unpopular opinion that Somewhere in Time is a middle-of-the-pack Iron Maiden album for me. For me! Remember, it's just a personal opinion! Put your guns away, guys. 😇

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Naaaaaah tell him to not let that stuff get to him. I didn't know as much as I do now a few years ago, and a few years from now, I'll probably think 2023 Nico didn't know sh*t. 😅 For the lyrics, this one was a must because unless someone's aware of the book/movie, there's no way to know what they're talking about without context and the lyrics might come off as a little goofy. With a little context, some of those lines like "you feel like throwing the race, it's all so futile" can be quite relatable. Especially metaphorically! I can totally get how SIT can be a bit of a polarizing album. What makes me love it so much is also what might make someone dislike it. De gustibus non est disputantum as the Latin saying goes. But one thing I will say, it's not just a run of the mill album because there is nothing ordinary about it. It is full of experiments, different structures, melodies, riffs, arrangements, and every song is completely unique. 😊

[@emilyinoregon6967]

To be honest, I never really warmed to this one. Wow! New appreciation now. Thanks Nico! Miles! 😄💛

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Sweeewweet! As I was saying to someone else, if I can get someone to have even 2% more appreciation for a song or to enjoy it that much more with these videos... I'm a happy guy 😊 And yeah Miles is definitely a showstopper... Everywhere we go too 😂😂

[@neilcouture3851]

Yeah the outro of this song is the best song outro ever.

[@jackelliott9044]

Hey Nico! Would love if you would keep doing analysis videos like this. 😊

[@GFJDean35]

Incredibly underrated track. Was my favorite Maiden song at one point.

[@szithaanu9934]

Magical intro, magical album.

[@cabanelas]

In both solos, the rhythm guitar passes through an augmented chord that sets the whole vibe.

[@steph1918]

'king 'ell. Harris was such a fantastic songwriter back then. 🖤

[@ciaran_g]

Firstly, there's not enough dog in this video. Need more dog. Secondly, loved all of this. SiT is my favourite album. I haven't played this song on guitar in a long time (probably since i was a teenager 20 years ago) but now i really want to play it again and actually learn the guitar solos this time!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hahaha you never know when Miles will make an appearance in a video (and neither do we!) 😄 Have fun learning the solos! It's a cool feeling when you relearn a song you haven't played in a long time 🤘

[@D3Alm3ida]

dont take me wrong, i love all the IM discography, but somewhere in time and seventh son, to me they are the best. They really set the bar very high

[@juliosmith]

I've seriously have never seen a guitar tone THAT close on the intro! BRAVO!!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Wow, thanks so much brother!! Or should I say "grazie, paisa'!" 😂

[@raphaelklietmann5529]

for me personally, there is no better guitar-band on the planet than maiden* in any single maiden song you can find more riffs and professional technique than any other band is able to perform.

[@bradleywilliamclarkefisher5675]

Please do more of these deeper track studies... you always open my eyes to better fingerings and phrasing. Im always on a never-ending quest to figure out exactly how they played their parts , especially adrian

[@erikpredovan8430]

Great video as usual, but the dog stole the show this time.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

He always does! 😄

[@manamose5430]

I love love love these in depth breakdowns of songs. Wish they were even longer, can’t get enough lol

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hahaha thank you!!

[@darrenc8776]

One of my all time favourites. Just love it

[@SeriousRodger]

Seriously probably my favourite track on SIT.

[@hugohn]

I love this song, one of the most fast and melodic Iron Maiden's song, the guitars are brilliant, the drums, the bass. Is one of this song where everything is perfectly connected and of course Bruce with that aggressive singing.

[@miguelbarbedo6419]

A beautiful description of a beautiful song. You never fail to impress, Nico. Thank you for your hard work.

[@chaosapiant]

You can say all you want about thrash masterpieces like Master of Puppies or Reign in Blood, which came out the same year, but songs like Long Distance of the Loneliest Runner are just absolutely fast and brutal songs. That rapid fire gallop and bass drum triplets in this song are just bonkers.

[@TailgunnerATC]

The final harmonies of the song are pure eargasm. The ending of this song gives me goosebumps and a feeling of fullness. Not a lot of bands do it for me.

[@Pepper4573]

Nico, it is so awesome that you elected to break down this particular song. When I was in my mid-to-late-teens, I absolutely adored this track; I simply couldn't get enough of it. Over the past 10-15 years, it has been in a constant battle with several other Maiden songs as they fight for the title of "Favorite Maiden Song" in my head (along with "Still Life", "Lord of Light", "Sea of Madness", "The Talisman", I could go on and on). It was so great to see and hear your breakdown of the riffs and sections. Loved it. Great stuff, Nico. Just keep doing what you're doing. Cheers again from New Orleans. :-)

[@DavorMagdic]

I have the ones you listed as my favorites as well (especially The Talisman). I have realized over time however that more often than not my favorite Maiden song is the one I'm listening to at the moment.

[@Pepper4573]

@@DavorMagdic, you are absolutely right LMAO! There's something so surreal about getting lost in a Maiden deep cut (especially when you weren't expecting it to happen).

[@DavorMagdic]

@@Pepper4573 You are spot on about not expecting it to happen! A few years ago I listened to Powerslave while working on something, when I noticed the vocals singing "tell me why" in the second chorus slightly different than in the first, emphasizing "me" instead of "tell"... I had heard this song probably 1000 times in my life by then, but that miniscule difference suddenly made his voice sound in my head like the voice of God. I listened to the rest of the song in shock and awe, unmoving. It was a near religious experience that I never got again when I was expecting it. And I wonder if Bruce himself knew he sang it differently LOL

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

The songs you listed there are some of my faves as well 😄 glad you enjoyed this breakdown and maybe I'll get to one of the others on that list in the future! Cheers 🤜🤛

[@Pepper4573]

@@DavorMagdic Yes, I love that!

[@declanfitzpatrick8268]

Great video, as always. I think an important aspect of the song, that didn't get mentioned, is how Nicko's constant hitting on the snare simulates the runner's feet hitting the ground, as he races:)

[@bilgyno1]

As a maiden fan and runner myself, I also appreciate the pervasive bpm of this song, which is in the ideal range for efficient running. I sometimes sing this song while running to make sure I have the right pace, while still being in Heart Rate Zone 2. 🤘🏻

[@payazokoki]

My favorite song on the album since 1986. Just mesmerizing! Beautiful job!

[@OSBA71]

Yes, Nico! Great video man. TLOTLDR is my all-time favorite Maiden song (off my favorite Maiden studio album). So glad to see you give it the full breakdown. Thank you! And BTW, beautiful pupper! He had to come tell you just how awesome Davey's solo is! :D

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Haha thanks! It really makes me happy when Miles gets some appreciation. He's an absolute sweetheart!

[@juliankitts544]

Wow, I love the sound and tone of Dave’s guitar in the intro 3:43. Thank you for this breakdown, this is one of my absolute favorite Maiden songs. Also, 15:21 holy crap your dog is huge!!!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hahahahhahahaha yeah Miles is 180 lbs and as tall as I am when he stands up (I'm 6'1") 😄

[@ghastlynavigator]

Love this song. The intro was the first part of a maiden song I ever learned to play. Great video Nico!! UP THE IRONS 🤘

[@michaeldean7220]

Same here. Despite being a pretty novice player I seemed to manage that bit quite easily.

[@siddharthdeshmukh8118]

My favourite song, from my favourite album, by my favourite band, 'nuff said! And you did it's breakdown beautifully.

[@kcpolog]

Always been my favourite from SiT. I wish they played it live but I understand the compromises they have to make. Great video as always Nico

[@gerryiannuzzi5122]

Nico, you make it look so easy! But you have given me a new appreciation for this amazing piece of music. I’m one of those fans who just listens and enjoys never realizing what goes into these songs.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm really happy to know that! Especially if you're now noticing things you wouldn't normally listen for... If I can help you appreciate the song even just 2% more, I'm happy! 😊

[@danbal4185]

What an amazing dog you have !!! 😍 This song is beyond epic. The outro harmony has always been one of my favorite.

[@jonathandanielmartinez2949]

Nico, Enchanting Breakdown! Thanks!

[@LordNerevar1]

Amaing song. Can we have Heaven Can Wait next? Gods know I need breakdown of that song. Great work!

[@rodrigofonseca6241]

This song always reminds me of the story of Francisco Lázaro, a portuguese marathon runner, who died in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm after saying to his colleagues "it's winning or dying trying". The story says he covered himself with shoeshining polishing cream in order to protect himself from the severe heat that day: 32º Celsius in the shade. Of course that peculiar method couldn't work out and after drinking water he fell aside at 25th KM (a marathon is 42 Km). A superb book was written honouring Lázaro, the "Piano Cemetery" by José Luís Peixoto. Nico, your channel is getting better and better, i never miss a new video and, of course, i'm going to subscribe and follow your second channel as well. Thank youj for your work. Stay metal!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Oh wow I'd never heard of him before! That sounds like it should be a movie 😮 Thanks for sharing that with us and thanks also for the kind encouragement! Cheers! 🤜🤛

[@soundthesirens4886]

SIT is the GOAT of all albums

[@robinmayo2874]

Very professional and educational analysis. Congratulations and we do admire your job. Greetings from The Dominican Republic.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you very very much!! Cheers from Toronto! 🤜🤛

[@Koukinson]

Once again bravo my friend for a spectacular breakdown of a masterpiece.

[@MattTrakker279]

awesome job - as always. You make it look so easy.

[@exebit9366]

You look great Nico, we have your back son.

[@brunorosa306]

As usual a fantastic vídeo. Cheers 🍻

[@chaosapiant]

Dear Beast Lick, please please please do a breakdown video like this for the song Starblind.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I plan to at some point, because I really like that song a lot!

[@carzz185]

15:20 best part of video! so lovely! if not mistaken they played this song on the opening night of the somewhere on tour and then dropped it... really shows that the band was at its peak during that time

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Anytime Miles makes an appearance, he steals the show😅

[@mdgiglio]

That was a truly masterclass Nico.

[@petetobey3933]

One of my favorite Iron Maiden songs, great deep dive into this great song

[@ChristopherJWalton]

Fantastic breakdown of a brilliant song.

[@darrenc8776]

Brilliant Nico such a great breakdown again. Myles! He's a real star

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

He really is!! 🤩

[@ronnielopez3267]

My favorite track

[@juanneman]

OMG amazing and very detailed anaylisis, this song is incredible a hidden gem, and the ending with the dual harmony is the epitome of beauty and on why this band is our favourite ever. It has a dreamy atmosphere that fits perfectly the whole album. I know every detail of all their music just by ear and your theoretical analysis (which I don´t master) makes it complete for me, I am learning a lot. Thanks for all Nico, really and horns up 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@user-rn6by8gi2j]

Thank you for breaking down this song so brillantly. I have long overlooked this one and you throw a very interesting light on it. A true masterclass, Mr Nicko !

[@user-rn6by8gi2j]

Still not my favourite, though. ;-)

[@ionut-alexandruanghel8465]

Absolutely brilliant, as always!

[@CC-qb9sm]

Fascinating! Love this song and this album. I listened to this song a great deal while training for a half marathon several years back. Both this song from the SiT album and the entire Brave New World album were in heavy rotation during that training period.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm sure any metal fan who runs has this on their playlist... On endless repeat 😂

[@CC-qb9sm]

@@LicksOfTheBeast 😂😂😂 fair enough Nico!!

[@CC-qb9sm]

@@LicksOfTheBeast - Hey Nico, where did your YYZ guitar solo “short” form video go? I don’t see it any longer. The full song cover is still out there on the other channel, but I don’t see the stand alone solo now.

[@jjadr]

Miles is just trying to tell you that His name is mentioned in this particular song just before the chorus… And yes, it sounds like the triumph of the human spirit over everything 😅🤘🏽

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Haha that's true! I wonder if he could recognize it in the middle of all those sounds 🤔😂

[@thedepot7416]

This is why iron maiden will never retire, the lads will finish as a band in the not to distant future we all know that but their music will live on like this

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

💯💯💯

[@grantmacdonald2605]

Amazing video and breakdown!!

[@sebastiengauthier6507]

Awesome video !!

[@louisdeath8965]

Great job!

[@koolkutz7]

Great demo and explanation of a brilliant melodic Irons song.

[@leighsmith4293]

Outstanding breakdown 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@ddmurley]

One of my absolute fav tracks off my fav Maiden record. Thanks!

[@stefanoribas]

Real awsome!!!! We need more of those!!!!

[@fredericadda]

Amazing! Now I want to learn it entirely ❤

[@yflorantin]

Impeccable explanation covering the theoretical and compositional aspects of the song, my favorite from this album without a doubt 👌

[@BMooreMusic]

I've always loved this track! Great breakdown as always! Thank you for the great content and the new channel as well!

[@Rudyasroma]

Awesome video for an awesome song! Keep m coming🔝

[@makytrakys]

Magnifico! THX

[@RustyDarlington]

Honestly this is one of the best songs off SIT. The harmony section might just be my favourite maiden guitar harmony of all time. The way it’s played is just such a beautiful way of Dave and Adrian showing off why their the ultimate guitar duo! As always Nico, great video and enjoyed every minute of it! I’ll be checking out and subbing that other Channel for sure! 🤘🏻

[@HugoVenturini]

Amazing explanation and incredible music! Fantastic work!

[@Sxuk]

Loved this song back in the day, Still do. Great vid 🤘

[@feumachado3116]

Absolutely brilliant as usual, Nico! And Miles just contributed even more to it 👏😄

[@ifyc576]

Hey Nico! Keep up the good work. I love how you break down Maiden's tunes to their bare essence which is music theory and why the tones sound so awesome to the human ear!

[@marcelosena4065]

Love you videos man! This is my favorite IM song... the last minute and 20 seconds of it is mindblowing! Tks for sharing this masterclass, Nico.

[@rockvenom]

I only can say, what an awesome video, the way it is explained, oh my god, keep on Nico, you are the best, and this song rules!!!

[@marcograziotin6844]

Una analisi come sempre stupefacente, di un pezzo assolutamente epocale, che forse dal vivo sarebbe stato spettacolare. Bravissimo

[@progsterfourier]

Another amazing analysis video! No doubt, one of the best musician series on KZbin, no matter the music genre. These videos deserve to be viewed by a wider audience and I hope they do. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you Nico!

[@mahdisoleymani660]

Amazing analysis thank you !! ( just subscribed to the new channel:) )

[@iainholmes2735]

Really enjoyed this analysis. I loved SIT. Bought it on it day of release in Sept '86. For me, it's the creative peak of an wonderful career. Re: the Alan Silitto story : I think the young offender should have won the race and then tried to make amends to those whom he robbed.