Twilight Zone

Greetings, Zoo Freaks! Your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning the haunting riffs of Iron Maiden's "Twilight Zone" from their 1981 album Killers. This track, released as the fourth single on March 2, 1981, is a gem with some wild stories behind it. Originally intended as the B-side to "Wrathchild," the band felt it was too strong to be relegated to second place, so they flipped it to the A-side. According to bassist Steve Harris, they opted for a double A-side with "Wrathchild" because they had a live video of "Wrathchild" ready, but couldn’t afford a new one for "Twilight Zone." This practical move ensured they had something for Top of the Pops if needed, showcasing their scrappy, DIY ethos. The single climbed to No. 31 on the UK Singles Chart, marking it as their second-most successful single at the time.

The song’s artwork stirred up quite the fuss, with critics slamming it for what they called "gratuitous sexism." The cover, painted by Derek Riggs, depicts Iron Maiden’s mascot Eddie as a ghostly figure spying on a woman in her bedroom. But hold up, Zoo Freaks—the critics missed the mark! As journalist Garry Bushell pointed out, the lyrics and a picture on the woman’s dressing table suggest Eddie’s dead, reaching out to his lover, Charlotte, from beyond the grave. It’s actually Iron Maiden’s first love song, wrapped in a spooky, supernatural vibe. Riggs, who painted it over a weekend, later admitted the girl was modeled after a friend named Sylvia, but he struggled with the CS-10 drawing board, leading to her head looking oddly small. Oh, and here’s a quirky tidbit: the Japanese version of Killers listed the song as "Details of Twilight Zone" due to a miscommunication from a telex the band sent, headlined with that phrase!

Guitarist Adrian Smith, who made his Iron Maiden single debut with "Twilight Zone," called the recording a whirlwind, noting its fast tempo made it "almost on the edge of being unplayable." Fans still rave about it, with some on Reddit calling it a top track from Killers, though it’s rarely played live and absent from some streaming versions due to the 2015 remaster sticking to the original UK tracklist. There’s even a ultra-rare brown vinyl mispress of the single that’s fetched over $8,000 among collectors, as noted by Revolver magazine. The lyrics, penned by Harris and guitarist Dave Murray, channel a ghost trapped in purgatory, longing for his living lover—a nod to the eerie TV show The Twilight Zone, which inspired its title.

Now, let’s rewind to how Iron Maiden kicked off their epic journey. Formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, the band emerged from the gritty pubs of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene. Harris, a former architectural draftsman with a passion for soccer and music, started the band after being inspired by the likes of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Early years were chaotic, with a revolving door of singers and guitarists, but Harris’s vision of blending punk’s raw energy with metal’s theatricality kept them grinding. By 1979, they’d built a cult following in London’s East End, landing a deal with EMI after a demo tape, The Soundhouse Tapes, caught fire among metalheads. Their 1980 self-titled debut, with vocalist Paul Di’Anno’s snarling delivery, put them on the map, but it was 1981’s Killers, featuring new guitarist Adrian Smith, that sharpened their sound. Di’Anno’s struggles with substance abuse led to his exit after Killers, paving the way for Bruce Dickinson, whose operatic vocals skyrocketed them to global fame with 1982’s The Number of the Beast.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Iron Maiden’s latest adventures on their official website, where they share tour dates, merch, and news about their upcoming 2025 Run For Your Lives World Tour, celebrating 50 years. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for behind-the-scenes glimpses and fan chatter. For deeper dives, check out fan hubs like the r/ironmaiden subreddit or the Iron Maiden Bulgaria fan site, packed with discography details and trivia. There’s also the Iron Maiden Sweden Facebook group, where fans swap stories, setlists, and love for Eddie. Up the Irons, and keep rocking with THE ZOO!