Greetings from Neptune to all the free spirits who say I'm Running Free,
"I'm running free!" What a great sentence, right? If you're wondering where this sentence came to mind, the answer I can give for now would be overworking and Iron Maiden.
My soul and physical self want to express the free me inside once again these days... But because of all the silly rules and structures of daily life, only songs can rein in that free me inside, "for now." Iron Maiden's Running Free has become one of the top ones for me lately.
Let's talk a bit about the song. Running Free is a gift to us earthlings (I've been watching too much Star Trek lately, maybe I should stop.) from Iron Maiden's "mastermind", Steve Harris, and former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno.
Is it one of the band's wildest? songs in my opinion. I see more of Di'Anno in this song...
I think it's because of that incredible vocal that sits so skillfully on top of the instruments. The song dates back to 1980. It was released as a 7" 45 rpm single on February 8, 1980. It is also the 3rd track on the band's debut album Iron Maiden, which shares the same name as the group and was released two months later on April 14, 1980.
I'm Running Free: The Story of the Song
It tells the story of a troubled 16-year-old kid who runs away from home in a pickup truck and somehow manages (maybe because he's running toward freedom) to end up in jail in Los Angeles, then breaks free during a riot that breaks out that same night (entirely my own interpretation, because of the phrase "sirens wail"), and toward the end of the song continues running away with a girl he meets at a bar.
The song has become one of Iron Maiden's biggest hits that they still perform live to this day. In fact, during their live performances today, Bruce Dickinson is known for calling out the names of the band members during the song's very famous and absolutely masterful bass solo (In Steve Harris we believe!).
When you feel like you're sinking to the bottom in the mess of daily life, listen to "Running Free"! You'll feel yourself coming back 😀 !!!
Di'Anno performing Running Free from his solo career:
Running Free from Iron Maiden's Di'Anno era:
And a short clip from 2010 with Bruce Dickinson:
Also check out our other music topics. Love to all free spirits from Neptune... Running Freeeeeeee!!!!
