Run to the Hills

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden, from their iconic 1982 album The Number of the Beast, and the Zoo Freaks are surely rocking out. This song, released as a single on February 8, 1982, was the band’s first with vocalist Bruce Dickinson and became their first top-ten UK single, peaking at number seven. Its artwork, created by Derek Riggs, depicts a dramatic scene of the band’s mascot, Eddie, battling Satan with a tomahawk, tying into the song’s narrative about the conflict between European settlers and Native Americans. The cover was part of a trilogy featuring Satan, starting with the Purgatory single and concluding with The Number of the Beast single, where Eddie holds the devil’s severed head. Interestingly, the band faced a tough choice between Total Eclipse and Gangland for the single’s B-side, opting for Total Eclipse, a decision they later regretted, as Steve Harris noted in interviews, believing Total Eclipse would have strengthened the album. The song’s galloping rhythm and Dickinson’s soaring vocals have made it a staple, ranked number 27 on VH1’s 40 Greatest Metal Songs and number 10 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs.

Another fascinating tidbit about Run to the Hills comes from its recording process at Battery Studios in London. The sessions for The Number of the Beast were marked by eerie occurrences, like lights flickering and equipment failing inexplicably. The strangest event involved producer Martin Birch, who got into a car accident with a minibus carrying nuns and received a repair bill for exactly £666, fueling rumors of supernatural interference. Bruce Dickinson revealed in a 2012 interview at the IBM Smarter Business conference in Stockholm that parts of the song’s melody draw from the “rising sixth” interval, inspired by a documentary about the song My Way. The track’s enduring popularity is evident in its covers by bands like The Iron Maidens and its inclusion in video games like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Rocksmith 2014. Posts on X, like one from @Metalmike3 on February 7, 2025, highlight its release date and significance, showing how fans still celebrate its legacy.

Iron Maiden was formed in 1975 in Leyton, East London, by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Inspired by prog rock bands like Genesis and Jethro Tull, as well as heavyweights like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Harris started the band after leaving his previous group, Smiler, due to creative differences. Iron Maiden went through several lineup changes in their early years, playing pubs and clubs as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. Their 1979 demo, The Soundhouse Tapes, caught the attention of EMI, leading to a record deal. Their self-titled debut in 1980 and follow-up Killers in 1981 built a loyal fanbase, but it was the addition of Bruce Dickinson in 1981, replacing Paul Di’Anno, that propelled them to global fame. Dickinson, formerly of Samson, brought a powerful vocal range and stage presence, debuting on The Number of the Beast, which hit number one in the UK and sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide.

The band’s rise wasn’t without challenges. Early on, Harris struggled with a rotating cast of musicians, and Di’Anno’s substance abuse led to his dismissal. Dickinson’s arrival, after a successful audition following a meeting with manager Rod Smallwood at the Reading Festival, marked a turning point. Despite contractual issues with Samson preventing Dickinson from receiving songwriting credits on The Number of the Beast, he contributed to tracks like Run to the Hills and Children of the Damned. Iron Maiden’s theatrical live shows, featuring Eddie as a towering stage prop, and their relentless touring solidified their status as metal icons. They’ve since sold over 130 million albums, with minimal radio support, and continue to headline massive tours, like the 2025 Run For Your Lives World Tour celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Fans can connect with Iron Maiden through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, merch, and behind-the-scenes content. The official website offers tour dates, news, and a fan club with exclusive perks. For deeper fan engagement, the Iron Maiden Wiki on Fandom provides detailed histories and song breakdowns. On Facebook, groups like Iron Maiden Fans and Up The Irons Worldwide unite thousands of fans sharing memorabilia, concert stories, and cover art. The Legacy of the Beast Forums also host lively discussions, with threads like Eddie Trunk’s top 20 Maiden songs sparking debates among diehards.