- Product Code: 2564624851
- You will get bonus-scraps: 30
- Availability: In Stock
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€ 29.90
- Price in bonus-scraps: 299
First re-release of the fourteenth single by the legendary British Heavy Metal band.
It's the first single for the band's sixth full-length studio album, "Somewhere In Time" (1986). It was the first single solely written by guitarist Adrian Smith, who also sings backing vocals. Wasted Years" is the only song on the album that features no synthesizers.
The song deals with subject of homesickness and alienation, as well as the negative aspects of the band's nearly yearlong previous tour and personal problems that Smith and other band members were going through in that period. At the same time the chorus suggests the idea that one should move beyond past troubles and look forward. The original working title was "Golden Years", as can be heard on numerous "Somewhere On Tour" bootlegs. The song is composed in the key of E minor. Adrian Smith plays the guitar solo. The guitar line here is probably one of the most memorable in the realm of Metal, and is sort of a rite of passage for any lead guitar player who wishes to tear it up with a band in the Metal genre. The chorus is very easy to sing along to and is a regular favorite at live performances.
The b-side "Reach Out" was sung by Adrian Smith, with regular lead singer Bruce Dickinson providing backing vocals. This song was previously performed live by Nicko McBrain and Smith's side project The Entire Population Of Hackney. This track is another rare treat. Smith does an excellent job on the vocals, but his strength on this one is his catchy guitar riffs. This song has a solo that is so idiomatic that you could easily hum the tune along with it, something that Metal guitar solos are not often famous for. This single is probably a bit hard to come by at this point, but if you can find it - it's recommend it highly! It's a great song from Maiden's greatest album, and a pair of tracks that will make you smile and make you laugh, something that Metal is allowed to do to people, despite what the no-fun elitists of the darker scene.
“Wasted Years” reached number 18 in the UK Singles Charts and it’s one of those singles you just have to own when you’re into Maiden!!
Recorded from the original analogue master tapes.
Parlophone Records Ltd., A Warner Music Group Company, 1986/2014 (2564624851). Made in UK.
Tracklist:
Side A:
1. Wasted Years 5:06
Side B:
2. Reach Out 3:25
Total playing time: 8:31
Samples: http://www.last.fm