The Number of the Beast

The song "The Number of the Beast" is not an endorsement of Satanism, but rather a narrative about a nightmare. Steve Harris, the band's bassist and the song's writer, was inspired by a nightmare he had after watching the film Damien: Omen II and by the Robert Burns poem "Tam o' Shanter". The lyrics describe a person who witnesses a disturbing, seemingly satanic ritual and is unsure if it is real or a dream. The song explores themes of fear, temptation, and the struggle between good and evil. The recurring line "666, the one for you and me" has been widely misinterpreted. Some interpretations suggest it signifies that the temptation of sin is a universal human experience. Despite the controversy it generated, particularly in the United States where the band was accused of being Satanists, the song's intent was to tell a horror story, not to promote devil worship.

The song begins with a spoken-word passage from the Book of Revelation, setting a dark and ominous tone. It speaks of the Devil sending the beast with wrath and references the number 666 as a human number that requires understanding to reckon.

The narrator then describes a personal experience of being alone with a blank mind, needing time to process disturbing memories. He questions whether what he witnessed was real or a fantasy, a reflection of his own troubled mind. He is haunted by an evil face in his dreams that brings him to despair.

The scene shifts to a dark, misty night where he feels compelled to investigate strange figures moving and twisting. He wonders if he is witnessing reality or some form of hell. The recurring chant of "666, the Number of the Beast" accompanies the imagery of hell and fire being unleashed. He observes a ritual with blazing torches, sacred chants, and hands raised to the sky as fires burn brightly. He understands that a sacrifice is taking place as part of Satan's work.

Feeling that he must report what he's seeing to the authorities, he again questions the reality of the situation, wondering if it's all a crazy dream. However, he feels an irresistible pull towards the evil, chanting hordes, mesmerized by their eyes. The refrain "666, the Number of the Beast" is repeated, with the addition of "666, the one for you and me."

The song concludes with a voice proclaiming its return and its intention to possess the listener's body and make them burn, asserting its power and evil course.

"The Number of the Beast" was written by Iron Maiden's bassist, Steve Harris. The primary inspiration for the song was a nightmare Harris had after watching the horror film Damien: Omen II. The poem "Tam o' Shanter" by Robert Burns also influenced the lyrical ideas. The song was recorded in 1981 at Battery Studios in London and released as the second single from the album of the same name on April 26, 1982. The album was the first to feature new lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson. The iconic spoken-word introduction is a passage from the Book of Revelation. The band initially wanted horror actor Vincent Price to read the intro, but he demanded too high a fee. The part was instead read by English actor Barry Clayton. During the recording sessions, producer Martin Birch reportedly pushed Dickinson to sing the introduction repeatedly for hours, leading to the frustrated and powerful scream at the end of the intro. There were also rumors of strange occurrences in the studio, such as lights turning on and off, which fueled the controversy surrounding the song.

The rhyme scheme in "The Number of the Beast" is not strictly consistent but often follows an AABB or ABCB pattern in the verses, which gives the lyrics a structured and narrative feel. For instance, in the first verse, "blank" rhymes with no other line, but "think" and "mind" create an internal slant rhyme, while the following couplet "believe" and "fantasy" (though not a perfect rhyme) maintain a rhyming connection. The chorus utilizes repetition for emphasis rather than a complex rhyme scheme. The song's rhythm is a defining characteristic. It opens with a slower, more deliberate tempo that builds suspense during the narrative verses. This contrasts sharply with the faster, galloping rhythm of the chorus, which creates a sense of urgency and excitement. This rhythmic shift mirrors the lyrical content, moving from the narrator's fearful observations to the chaotic energy of the satanic ritual. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is crucial in conveying the song's dramatic arc. The drumming of Clive Burr is noted for being fast-paced and frenetic, perfectly complementing the song's high energy.

The song opens with a spoken-word narration from the Book of Revelation, a technique that immediately establishes a dark and theatrical atmosphere. Musically, it is characterized by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound, featuring twin lead guitars with harmonized riffs, a driving bassline, and powerful drumming. Bruce Dickinson's vocal performance is a key stylistic element; he employs a wide vocal range, from melodic singing to a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream at the end of the intro, which was famously born out of frustration with the producer. The song's structure includes tempo changes, shifting from a slower, more narrative-driven verse to a faster, more aggressive chorus. This dynamic shift enhances the storytelling and emotional impact of the lyrics. The use of a galloping rhythm in the faster sections is a signature of Iron Maiden's style. Lyrically, the song employs vivid and often dark imagery to tell its story, a common feature of the band's songwriting.

"The Number of the Beast" is one of Iron Maiden's most popular and controversial songs, and it had a significant cultural impact. Upon its release, the song and the album of the same name were met with outrage from religious groups in the United States, who accused the band of being Satanists. This led to organized burnings and protests of the band's albums, which ironically only served to give them more publicity. The song reached No. 18 on the UK Singles Chart on its original release and has re-charted on subsequent reissues. It has been performed on nearly all of the band's concert tours and remains a fan favorite. "The Number of the Beast" has been covered by numerous artists and has appeared in several video games, such as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, as well as in films like Murder by Numbers and the TV series Sherlock. The album is considered a landmark of the heavy metal genre and is listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The song's controversial nature sparked discussions about censorship and artistic freedom in music.

The most prominent symbol in the song is the number "666," directly taken from the Book of Revelation in the Bible, where it is referred to as the number of the beast. In the context of the song, it symbolizes evil, the antichrist, and the apocalypse. The repetition of "666" serves as a powerful and instantly recognizable symbol of demonic presence and hellish power. The "beast" itself is a metaphor for a powerful, oppressive force, often interpreted as a political empire, a ruler, or an antichrist figure. The lyrics also use the imagery of fire, darkness, and ritual sacrifice to create a symbolic landscape of hell and evil. The narrator's internal conflict, questioning whether his experience is real or a dream, can be seen as a metaphor for the struggle with temptation and the allure of evil that can blur the lines of reality and morality.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the emphatic repetition of "Six, six, six, the number of the beast!". This line acts as the central hook and thematic anchor of the track, immediately invoking its controversial and dark subject matter. Its repetition throughout the song, particularly in the chorus, drills the iconic number into the listener's mind and reinforces the theme of evil and damnation. Another recurring motif is the narrator's questioning of his own sanity and the reality of his experience, with lines like "Can I believe that what I saw that night was real and not just fantasy?" and "Can this still be real or some crazy dream?". This recurring internal conflict highlights the psychological horror element of the song, making the listener question the events alongside the narrator. The phrase "Hell and fire was spawned to be released" also recurs, emphasizing the apocalyptic and destructive nature of the events being described.