Can I Play with Madness

Iron Maiden

About Can I Play with Madness

"Can I Play with Madness" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The song is the sixteenth single released by the band. Released in 1988, it was the first single from their seventh studio album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988), and hit number 3 in the UK Singles Chart. The song is about a young man who wants to learn the future from an old prophet with a crystal ball. The young man thinks he is going mad and seeks the old prophet to help him cope with his visions/nightmares. The prophet's advice is ignored by the young man and they become angry with each other. The song was originally a ballad named "On the Wings of Eagles", written by Adrian Smith. 


Year:
1988
3:31
83 
#2

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Can I play with madness?
Give me the sense to wonder
To wonder if I'm free
Give me a sense of wonder
To know I can be me
Give me the strength to hold my head up
Spit back in their face
Don't need no key to unlock this door
Gonna break down the walls
Break out of this bad place

Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "you're blind, too blind to see"
Oh, said, "you're too blind to see", mmm

I screamed aloud to the old man
I said, "don't lie, don't say you don't know"
I said, "you'll pay for this mischief"
"Ah, in this world or the next"
Oh and then he fixed me with a freezing glance
And the hell fires raged in his eyes
He said, "do you wanna know the truth, son?"
"Lord, I'll tell you the truth"
"Your soul's gonna burn in a lake of fire"

Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "you're blind, too blind to see"
"Oh, listen to me," said the prophet

Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "you're blind, too blind to see"
Can I play with madness?

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London that was formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter, Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; ten live albums; four EPs; and seven compilations. more »

9 fans

Written by: Adrian Frederick Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Stephen Percy Harris

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Name
"Can I Play with Madness" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It is the first single release from their seventh studio album, "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son," published in 1988.
Chart Performance
The song is one of Iron Maiden's most successful singles, reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. The band has generally enjoyed substantial success, but this song is a standout.
Song Writing
The song was composed by the band's bassist and primary songwriter, Steve Harris, along with guitarist Adrian Smith and singer Bruce Dickinson.
Music Video
The music video directed by Julian Doyle is known for featuring the English comedian, Griff Rhys Jones. The video was shot at Tintern Abbey and Chislehurst Caves.
Lyrical Theme
The song's lyrics revolve around a young man seeking the guidance of a seer, only to be scolded and dismissed. This can be generally interpreted as a commentary on youth, innocence, and the quest for knowledge.
Reception
Although it defines a significant turn in the band's style to more melodic and catchy songs, it has generally been well received by the fan base.
Live Performances
"Can I Play with Madness" is a staple of Iron Maiden's live sets and has featured in several of their concert video albums.
Artwork
The cover art for the single features the band's mascot, Eddie, as a seer, mirroring the themes of the song's lyrics.
Different Versions
There are a couple of slightly different versions of the song in existence, one with a cold ending and one with a fade-out ending.
Cultural Impact
The song had a lasting impact and serves as a turning point in Iron Maiden's stylistic development, ushering in a period of more melodic and accessible songs.

Discuss the Can I Play with Madness Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Can I Play with Madness Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4937989/Iron+Maiden/Can+I+Play+with+Madness>.

    Missing lyrics by Iron Maiden?

    Know any other songs by Iron Maiden? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Can I Play with Madness

    7.4M
    44,846     1,149

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "'Cause I still believe in your faithfulness, 'Cause I still believe in your ______"
    A youth
    B spoof
    C proof
    D truth

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Iron Maiden tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!