Sanctuary (Iron Maiden song)

1980 single by Iron Maiden

"Sanctuary"

The censored version, with the face of Margaret Thatcher obscured

Single by Iron Maiden
from the album  Iron Maiden
A-side| "Prowler" (Dutch 12" only)
B-side|

* "Drifter" (Live)
* "I've Got the Fire" (Live – Montrose cover)

Released| 23 May 1980
Recorded| December 1979
Genre| Heavy metal, punk rock
Length| 3:12
Label| EMI
Songwriter(s)| Iron Maiden[1]
Producer(s)| Wil Malone
Iron Maiden singles chronology
| "Running Free"
(1980)  | "Sanctuary"
(1980)  | "Women in Uniform"
(1980)

|
|

Dutch 12" cover

The uncensored version

"Sanctuary" is the second single released by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The single was released on 23 May 1980. Although originally issued as a non-album single, the song was added to the later US release of their debut studio record, Iron Maiden (1980). When the album was re-released in 1998, the song was added in all territories. In 1990, it was reissued on CD and 12" vinyl in The First Ten Years box set, in which it was combined with their first single, "Running Free".

## History

[edit]

The original mix of the song was recorded in November 1979 and originally appeared on the 1980 Metal for Muthas compilation, featuring several other artists associated with the new wave of British heavy metal,[2] which the band recorded as a four-piece with Doug Sampson on drums.[3] Although the compilation was panned in Sounds, Iron Maiden's songs were praised, with their contributions being described as "raucous heavy metal/punk crossovers and tantalising tasters for their own forthcoming album."[4]

Already a regular in the band's live set, the "Sanctuary" single was released on 7" vinyl on 16 May during the UK leg of the Iron Maiden Tour.[5] This version of the song was recorded during the Iron Maiden album sessions, and, according to guitarist Dave Murray, "was ten times better than the original Metal for Muthas version."[6] The b-side includes two live songs recorded at the Marquee Club in London on 3 April 1980 – "Drifter" (which would feature on the band's next album, Killers) and a cover of Montrose's "I've Got the Fire".[1] The live version of "Drifter" includes a crowd interaction part where the audience is invited to follow the lead singer as he chants "Yo Yo Yo", which parodies The Police's "Walking on the Moon".[7] The single performed even better than their debut, "Running Free", entering the UK Singles Chart at No. 33 before peaking at No. 29 a week later.[6]

Although the song is credited to Iron Maiden,[1] according to Metal Hammer contributor Dave Ling, the song was originally written by guitarist Rob Angelo, a member of the band in 1977 who was paid £300 for the song's rights.[3] From 1998 onwards, the song was credited to Murray, bassist Steve Harris and singer Paul Di'Anno.[8]

## Artwork and controversy

[edit]

The cover art caused controversy for the band as it depicted their mascot, Eddie, wielding a knife while crouching over the corpse of then British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.[9] The band's manager, Rod Smallwood, explained the artwork's concept: "The artwork is very tongue in cheek, as usual. At that time, Maggie had visited the old USSR and, following her tough stance with them, had been christened the Iron Maiden. Eddie took offence to this, and even more so when she started taking our posters."[9] It was Smallwood himself who suggested to EMI that the cover be released with Thatcher's face censored "as this would give the tabloids an angle and draw attention to the single."[9]

The attempt to gain coverage proved successful, with the Daily Mirror running a story about the single, as well as publishing the uncensored artwork, on 20 May under the headline: "It's murder! Maggie gets rock mugging."[10] The Daily Record also published an article which deemed the cover "horrific," as well as included interviews with Young Scottish Conservatives who criticised the artwork for being "in very bad taste."[11]

Margaret Thatcher also appeared in art for the band's next single, "Women in Uniform," in which she is shown seeking revenge on Eddie with a machine gun.[12]

## Track listing

[edit]

7" UK single

Side oneNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Sanctuary"| Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Paul Di'Anno| 3:16

Side twoNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

2.| "Drifter" (Live at the Marquee, London, 3 April 1980)| Harris| 6:03
3.| "I've Got the Fire" (Montrose cover) (Live at the Marquee, 3 April 1980)| Ronnie Montrose| 3:13

12" Dutch Single

Side oneNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Sanctuary"| Harris, Murray, Di'Anno| 3:16
2.| "Prowler"| Harris| 3:56

Side twoNo.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

3.| "Drifter" (Live at the Marquee, 3 April 1980)| Harris| 6:03
4.| "I've Got the Fire" (Montrose cover) (Live at the Marquee, 3 April 1980)| Montrose| 3:13

## Personnel

[edit]

Production credits are adapted from the 7-inch vinyl cover.[1]

Iron Maiden

* Paul Di'Anno – lead vocals
* Dave Murray – guitar
* Dennis Stratton – guitar
* Steve Harris – bass guitar
* Clive Burr – drums

Production

* Wil Malone – producer, engineer
* Derek Riggs – cover illustration

## Chart performance

[edit]

### Running Free

[edit]

Chart (1980)  | Peak
position

|

UK Singles (OCC)[13] | 29

### Running Free / Sanctuary

[edit]

Chart (1990)  | Peak
position

|

UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 10

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Sanctuary" 7 Inch Single (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 16 May 1980.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
2. ^ Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 138\. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
3. ^ a b Ling, Dave (January 2001). "Liner Notes". Metal for Muthas. London.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
4. ^ Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 139\. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
5. ^ Bushell, Garry; Halfin, Ross (1985). Running Free, The Official Story of Iron Maiden (2nd ed.). Zomba Books. p. 73. ISBN 0-946391-84-X.
6. ^ a b Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 147\. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
7. ^ Bushell, Garry; Halfin, Ross (1985). Running Free, The Official Story of Iron Maiden (2nd ed.). Zomba Books. p. 77. ISBN 0-946391-84-X.
8. ^ Iron Maiden (remastered) (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 1998.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. ^ a b c Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (3rd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 148\. ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
10. ^ Bushell, Garry; Halfin, Ross (1985). Running Free, The Official Story of Iron Maiden (2nd ed.). Zomba Books. p. 74. ISBN 0-946391-84-X.
11. ^ Bushell, Garry; Halfin, Ross (1985). Running Free, The Official Story of Iron Maiden (2nd ed.). Zomba Books. p. 76. ISBN 0-946391-84-X.
12. ^ Bushell, Garry; Halfin, Ross (1985). Running Free, The Official Story of Iron Maiden (2nd ed.). Zomba Books. p. 83. ISBN 0-946391-84-X.
13. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 February 2021.

* v
* t
* e

Iron Maiden

* Steve Harris
* Dave Murray
* Adrian Smith
* Bruce Dickinson
* Nicko McBrain
* Janick Gers

* Paul Mario Day
* Thunderstick
* Tony Moore
* Doug Sampson
* Paul Di'Anno
* Dennis Stratton
* Clive Burr
* Blaze Bayley

Studio albums|

* Iron Maiden
* Killers
* The Number of the Beast
* Piece of Mind
* Powerslave
* Somewhere in Time
* Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
* No Prayer for the Dying
* Fear of the Dark
* The X Factor
* Virtual XI
* Brave New World
* Dance of Death
* A Matter of Life and Death
* The Final Frontier
* The Book of Souls
* Senjutsu

Live albums|

* Live After Death
* A Real Live One
* A Real Dead One
* Live at Donington
* Maiden England
* A Real Live Dead One
* Rock in Rio
* BBC Archives
* Beast over Hammersmith
* Death on the Road
* Flight 666
* En Vivo!
* The Book of Souls: Live Chapter
* Nights of the Dead: Live in Mexico City

Compilations|

* Best of the Beast
* A Real Live Dead One
* Ed Hunter
* Best of the 'B' Sides
* Edward the Great
* The Essential Iron Maiden
* Somewhere Back in Time
* From Fear to Eternity

Box sets|

* The First Ten Years
* Eddie's Head
* Eddie's Archive

Extended plays|

* The Soundhouse Tapes
* Live!! +one
* Maiden Japan
* No More Lies

Singles|

* "Running Free"
* "Sanctuary"
* "Women in Uniform"
* "Twilight Zone"
* "Purgatory"
* "Run to the Hills"
* "The Number of the Beast"
* "Flight of Icarus"
* "The Trooper"
* "2 Minutes to Midnight"
* "Aces High"
* "Wasted Years"
* "Stranger in a Strange Land"
* "Can I Play with Madness"
* "The Evil That Men Do"
* "The Clairvoyant"
* "Infinite Dreams"
* "Holy Smoke"
* "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter"
* "Be Quick or Be Dead"
* "From Here to Eternity"
* "Wasting Love"
* "Fear of the Dark"
* "Hallowed Be Thy Name"
* "Man on the Edge"
* "Lord of the Flies"
* "Virus"
* "The Angel and the Gambler"
* "Futureal"
* "The Wicker Man"
* "Out of the Silent Planet"
* "Wildest Dreams"
* "Rainmaker"
* "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg"
* "Different World"
* "El Dorado"
* "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier"
* "Speed of Light"
* "Empire of the Clouds"
* "The Writing on the Wall"

Video albums|

* Live at the Rainbow
* Video Pieces
* Behind the Iron Curtain
* Live After Death
* 12 Wasted Years
* Maiden England
* The First Ten Years (From There to Eternity)
* Donington Live 1992
* Raising Hell
* Classic Albums: Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast
* Rock in Rio
* Visions of the Beast
* The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days
* Death on the Road
* Flight 666
* En Vivo!
* The Book of Souls: Live Chapter

Tours|

* Metal for Muthas Tour
* Iron Maiden Tour
* Killer World Tour
* World Slavery Tour
* Somewhere on Tour
* Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour
* Fear of the Dark Tour
* Real Live Tour
* Virtual XI World Tour
* Brave New World Tour
* Dance of Death World Tour
* Eddie Rips Up the World Tour
* A Matter of Life and Death Tour
* Somewhere Back in Time World Tour
* The Final Frontier World Tour
* Maiden England World Tour
* The Book of Souls World Tour
* Legacy of the Beast World Tour
* The Future Past World Tour
* Run for Your Lives World Tour

Related articles|

* Discography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Band members
* Eddie
* Metal for Muthas
* Tribute albums
* Urchin
* Gogmagog
* Psycho Motel
* Samson
* The Entire Population of Hackney
* The Iron Maidens
* Maiden uniteD
* Derek Riggs
* Rod Smallwood

* Category

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