Sanctuary (Iron Maiden song)
| "Sanctuary" | ||||||||||
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| 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) |
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| Released | 23 May 1980 | |||||||||
| Recorded | January-April 1980 | |||||||||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||||||||
| Length | 3:12 | |||||||||
| Label | EMI | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | Iron Maiden | |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Will Malone | |||||||||
| Iron Maiden singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"Sanctuary" is the second single released by the British 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, the 12" version 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".
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, which the band recorded as a four-piece with Doug Sampson on drums. 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."
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. 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." 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". 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". 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.
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