Phantom of the Opera

Phantom of the Opera is the fourth track on Iron Maiden's eponymous album. It is the longest track on the album,



clocking in at 7:20. The song itself is based on a 1910 novel by author Gaston Leroux. All the lyrics were written by Steve Harris.

He says:

''"This is a very long song that was done in sections. The middle part was totally seperate but it fit in very well. It felt right to go from the slow part into the middle section. Phantom is one of the best pieces I've ever written, and certainly one of the most enjoyable to play. It's got all those intricate guitar lines which keep it interesting. Then there's the slow middle part which creates quite a good mood. It's also got fast heavy parts which are really rockin'. And it also got areas for crowd participation. It pretty much covers all the bases for the band. It was also a good example of what I wanted to get across." ''

A band called New Eden covered this song for an Iron Maiden tribute album known as "A Call to Irons: A Tribute to Iron Maiden."

The song also appears in the soundtrack for Iron Maiden's promotional video game, Ed Hunter.

Lyrics:

I've been looking so long for you, now you won't get away from my grasp.

You've been living so long in hiding in hiding behind that false mask.

But you know that I know that you ain't got that long to last; Your looks and your feelings are just the remains of your past.

You're standing in the wings, there you wait for the curtain to fall, 

''Knowing the terror and holding you have on us all. ''

Yeah, I know that you're gonna scratch me, maim me and maul.

''You know I'm helpless from your mesmerizing cat call. ''

Keep your distance, walk away, don't take his bait. ''Don't you stray, don't fade away. ''

Watch your step, he's out to get you, come what may.

''Don't you stray, from the narrow way. ''

''I'm running and hiding in my dreams, you're always there. ''

''You're the Phantom of the Opera, you're the Devil, you're just out to scare. ''

You damaged my mind and my soul, it just floats through the air.

You haunt me, you taunt me, you torture me back at your lair.