Run to the Hills
"Run to the Hills" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Iron Maiden | ||||
from the album The Number of the Beast | ||||
B-side |
| |||
Released | 12 February 1982 2 December 1985 11 March 2002 | |||
Recorded | January 1982 20 March 1982 28 August 1982 8–12 October 1984 14–17 March 1985 19 January 2001 | |||
Genre | Heavy metal | |||
Length | 3:51 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) | Steve Harris | |||
Producer(s) | Martin Birch | |||
Iron Maiden singles chronology | ||||
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1985 live single | ||||
2002 CD 2 cover | ||||
2002 Limited Edition Red Vinyl 7" | ||||
"Run to the Hills" is a song by the English
A live version of the song, from
Composition
Due to contractual issues with his previous band, Samson, Dickinson could not be credited for any of his contributions made during the writing of The Number of the Beast.[4] Although bassist Steve Harris alone receives credit for the song, Dickinson states that he made a "moral contribution" to the song, in addition to "Children of the Damned" and "The Prisoner" from the same album.[5] While speaking at the IBM Smarter Business conference in Stockholm on 10 October 2012, Dickinson revealed that parts of the song are based on the "rising sixth" interval within a scale, inspired by a documentary he watched which explored why "My Way" was one of the most popular recorded songs.[6]
Themes
"Run to the Hills" depicts the historical conflict between Native Americans and European settlers.[7][8] The song begins with the perspective of the Native Americans: 'White man came across the sea / He brought us pain and misery.' This verse reflects the suffering and upheaval caused by European arrival. The subsequent verses shift to the European viewpoint, with lines such as 'Riding through dust clouds and barren wastes / Galloping hard on the plains' and 'Hunting and killing's a game.' These parts depict the Europeans' actions and attitudes towards the conflict. The recurring chorus, 'Run to the hills / Run for your lives,' serves as a haunting reminder of the dire consequences of these conflicts. Overall, the song presents a vivid portrayal of this tumultuous period in history from both perspectives.[9][10][11]
Original 1982 release
The song was released as a single on 12 February 1982; more than 5 weeks prior to the album's release on 22 March 1982.[12] The single marked Iron Maiden's debut release with new vocalist Bruce Dickinson. "Total Eclipse" was selected as the single's B-side over the song "Gangland", which in turn would appear on the initial version of the album.[13] The band later regretted this decision, with Steve Harris commenting, "We chose the wrong track as the B-side. I think if "Total Eclipse" had been on the album instead of "Gangland", it would have been far better."[13] The song was added to The Number of the Beast album when it was remastered in 1998, and was also included in the original Japanese version.
It is the second of three single covers featuring
As of 2017 the single has sold more than 200,000 copies in UK and has been certified Silver by BPI, the first to do so.[15]
Other releases
In 1985, a live version of "Run to the Hills", taken from Live After Death, was released as the band's thirteenth single, along with live versions of "Phantom of the Opera" and "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)" as its B-sides. According to Riggs, he was asked to paint a cover illustration for both "Run to the Hills" and "Phantom of the Opera" and so the artwork depicts Eddie as the phantom in a hilly landscape.[16]
Following former drummer Clive Burr's announcement that he was suffering from multiple sclerosis, "Run to the Hills" was released again in 2002 to raise money for the newly established Clive Burr MS Trust Fund.[17] Two variations were issued, the original studio version and a live version taken from the Rock in Rio concert, with different B-sides.[18]
Appearances in media
An all-star cover version of the song is found on the 2005 tribute album
The song is also featured in the soundtracks of several video games, including
Video
The official video features fight scenes from the 1923 silent movie The Uncovered Wagon, a parody on the movie The Covered Wagon, also from 1923.[31]
Track listing
- 7" single
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Run to the Hills" | Steve Harris | 3:51 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
2. | "Total Eclipse" | Dave Murray, Harris, Clive Burr | 4:24 |
- 1985 7" Live single
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Run to the Hills" (Live at America , 14–17 March 1985) | Harris | 4:03 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
2. | "Phantom of the Opera" (Live at , 8–10 & 12 October 1984) | Harris | 7:27 |
- 1985 12" Live single
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Run to the Hills" (Live at Long Beach Arena, California, America, 14–17 March 1985) | Harris | 4:03 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
2. | "Phantom of the Opera" (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, 8–10 & 12 October 1984) | Harris | 7:27 |
3. | "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)" (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, 8–10 & 12 October 1984) | Harris | 4:14 |
- 2002 7" Red Vinyl single
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Run to the Hills" | Harris | 3:51 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
2. | "Total Eclipse" (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, 20 March 1982) | Burr, Harris, Murray | 4:24 |
- 2002 Enhanced CD Part. I
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Run to the Hills" (Live at Rock in Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19 January 2001) | Harris | 5:00 |
2. | "Children of the Damned" (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, 20 March 1982) | Harris | 4:34 |
3. | "Total Eclipse" (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, 20 March 1982) | Murray, Harris, Burr | 3:59 |
4. | "Run to the Hills" (Live video) | Harris | unknown |
- 2002 Enhanced CD Part. II
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Run to the Hills" | Harris | 3:56 |
2. | "22 Acacia Avenue" (Live at the Reading Festival, Reading, England, 28 August 1982) | Harris, Adrian Smith | 6:34 |
3. | "The Prisoner" (Live at the Reading Festival, Reading, England, 28 August 1982) | Harris, Smith | 5:56 |
4. | "Run to the Hills" (Camp Chaos video) | Harris | Unknown |
- 2002 Enhanced CD European Edition
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Run to the Hills" (Live at Rock in Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19 January 2001) | Harris | 5:01 |
2. | "Run to the Hills" | Harris | 3:54 |
3. | "The Prisoner" (Live at the Reading Festival, Reading, England, 28 August 1982) | Harris, Smith | 5:56 |
4. | "Children of the Damned" (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, 20 March 1982) | Harris | 4:34 |
5. | "Run to the Hills" (Live video) | Harris | Unknown |
Personnel
1982 studio single
Production credits are adapted from the 7-inch vinyl cover.[32]
- Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals
- Dave Murray – lead guitar
- Adrian Smith – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Steve Harris – bass, backing vocals
- Clive Burr – drums
- Production
- engineer
- Derek Riggs – cover illustration
- Ross Halfin – photography
1985 live single
Production credits are adapted from the 7-inch vinyl,[33] and 12-inch vinyl covers.[34]
- Iron Maiden
- Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals
- Steve Harris – bass, backing vocals
- Dave Murray – lead guitar
- Adrian Smith – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Nicko McBrain – drums
- Production
- Martin Birch – producer, engineer, mixing
- Derek Riggs – cover illustration
2002 studio / live single
- Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals
- Dave Murray – lead guitar
- Adrian Smith – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Janick Gers – rhythm guitar
- Steve Harris – bass, backing vocals
- Nicko McBrain – drums
Charts
Run to the Hills
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Singles (Kent Music Report)[35] | 27 |
French Singles( SNEP)[36]
|
64 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[37] | 55 |
Ireland (IRMA)[38] | 16 |
7 |
Run to the Hills (Live)
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
---|---|
Ireland (IRMA)[40] | 18 |
26 |
Run to the Hills/The Number of the Beast
Chart (1990) | Peak position |
---|---|
3 |
Running Free (Live) / Run to the Hills (Live)
Chart (1990) | Peak position |
---|---|
9 |
Run to the Hills
Chart (2002) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Singles Chart[44] | 11 |
France ( SNEP)[45]
|
73 |
Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista)[46]
|
5 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[47] | 86 |
Ireland (IRMA)[48] | 38 |
Italy (FIMI)[49] | 6 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[50] | 60 |
Norway (VG-lista)[51] | 15 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[52] | 28 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[53] | 75 |
9 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
See also
References
- ^ "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs". VH1. 1–4 May 2006. Archived from the original on 16 January 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2006.
- ^ "spreadit.org music". VH1. Archived from the original on 4 January 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-9552822-4-9.
- ^ "A Conversation with Bruce Dickinson". Book of Hours. 28 April 1996. Archived from the original on 25 October 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
- ^ Hartmann, Graham (11 October 2012). "Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Reveals the Musical Secret Behind 'Run to the Hills'". Loudwire. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ^ Doran, John (2005). "Devil Incarnate". Metal Hammer Presents: Iron Maiden 30 Years of Metal Mayhem. Future Publishing: 140–141.
- ^ Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills, retrieved 7 December 2023
- ISBN 0-946391-84-X.
- ^ Stagno, Mike (17 July 2006). "Review: Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
- ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
- ^ ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
- ^ "'Run to the Hills'- Riggs Commentary". Derek Riggs. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "BRIT Certified".
- ^ "'Run to the Hills (live)'- Riggs Commentary". Derek Riggs. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ISBN 1-86074-542-3.
- ^ "Iron Maiden Benefit Single Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 15 April 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ "Iron Maiden: Numbers From The Beast All-Star Tribute Album Due in October". Blabbermouth.net. 27 September 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- ^ "Michael Schenker Covers Iron Maiden, Rush, Black Sabbath on New Album". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ Bann, Chantel (3 May 2007). "Katastrophy Wife's KatBjelland gets her Heart-On". Fasterlouder. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ "Maiden Heaven Track Listing Revealed!". Kerrang!. 25 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ Quinn, Michael (7 August 2008). "Hellsongs: Hymns in the Key of 666". BBC Music. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
- ^ "Swedish Top 60 Singles Chart 1 January 2010". Swedishcharts.com. Sverigetopplistan.
- ^ "Dream Theater – Official Bootleg: The Number of the Beast". Amazon. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- ^ "SSX on Tour". Cheat Code Central. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ "The Lost and Damned soundtrack". Rockstar Games. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ "'Run to the Hills' by Iron Maiden (cover version)". Rock Band. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- ^ "Iron Maiden – All Songs by Artist". Rock Band. Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ "The Uncovered Wagon". IMDb. 8 July 1923.
- ^ "Run to the Hills" 7 Inch Single (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 12 February 1982.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Run to the Hills live" 7 Inch Single (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 2 December 1985.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Run to the Hills live" 12 Inch Single (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 2 December 1985.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – I". Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2012. Select Iron Maiden from the menu, then press OK.
- ^ "Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Run to the Hills". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Run to the Hills (Live)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- Les classement single. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills [Live (Song)"] (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills [Live (Song)"] (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Run to the Hills [Live (Song)"]. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "[Live+(Song)&cat=s Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills [Live] (Song)"]. Top Digital Download. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "[Live&cat=s Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills [Live]"] (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "[Live+(Song)&cat=s Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills [Live] (Song)"]. VG-lista. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "[Live+(Song)&cat=s Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills [Live] (Song)"]. Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "[Live+(Song)&cat=s Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills [Live] (Song)"]. Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 September 2022.