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"The Clairvoyant" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It is the band's nineteenth single and the third from their seventh studio album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988). The single, which was also released as a clear vinyl, peaked at number six in the British charts. It contains three live performances from Maiden's 1988 headlining performance at the Monsters of Rock festival in Donington Park.
| "The Clairvoyant (Live in 1988)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Iron Maiden | ||||
| from the album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 7 November 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 20 August 1988 | |||
| Venue | Monsters of Rock Festival (Donington, UK) | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 4:24[1] | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Steve Harris | |||
| Producer(s) | Martin Birch | |||
| Iron Maiden singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The promotional video for the song, although set to the studio version, features live clips from the Donington performance.
Song information
editThe song starts in the first person, from the main character's point of view. Later, when he is dead it is in the third person. According to Steve Harris, the song was inspired by the death of psychic Doris Stokes, and her wondering that if she were truly able to see the future, would not she had foreseen her own death?
The song's guitar solo is played by Dave Murray.
Track listing
edit- 7" Single
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Clairvoyant" | Steve Harris | 4:24 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | "The Prisoner" (Live at Monsters of Rock Festival, Donington, England, 20 August 1988) | Adrian Smith, Harris | 6:07 |
- 12" Single
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Clairvoyant" (Live at Monsters of Rock Festival, Donington, England, 20 August 1988) | Harris | 4:24 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | "The Prisoner" (Live at Monsters of Rock Festival, Donington, England, 20 August 1988) | Smith, Harris | 6:07 |
| 3. | "Heaven Can Wait" (Live at Monsters of Rock Festival, Donington, England, 20 August 1988) | Harris | 7:08 |
Personnel
editProduction credits are adapted from the 12 inch vinyl cover.[1]
- Iron Maiden
- Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals
- Dave Murray – guitar
- Adrian Smith – guitar, backing vocals
- Steve Harris – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Nicko McBrain – drums
- Additional musicians
- Production
- Martin Birch – producer
- Tony Wilson – producer
- Derek Riggs – cover illustration
- Ross Halfin – photography
Versions
edit| Songs | Country & Year | Catalog Number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) | Germany 1988 | EMI 006-20 3927 7 | Single 7" |
| The Clairvoyant / The Prisoner (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI EM 79 | Black Labels Single 7" |
| The Clairvoyant / The Prisoner (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI EM 79 | Silver Labels Single 7" |
| The Clairvoyant / The Prisoner (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI EMS 79 | Poster Sleeve Clear Vinyl Single 7" |
| The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live) | EEC 1988 | EMI K 060 20 3048 6 | Maxi Single 12" |
| The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI 12 EM 79 | Maxi Single 12" |
| The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI 12EMG 79 | Maxi Single 12" Gatefold Sleeve |
| The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI EMP 79 | Shaped Picture Disc 7" |
| The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI EMP 79 | Uncut Picture Disc 12" |
| The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live) | UK 1988 | EMI CDEM 79 | CD Single |
Chart performance
edit| Single | Chart (1988) | Peak position |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Clairvoyant" | Irish Singles Chart | 7[2] | Seventh Son of a Seventh Son |
| UK Singles Chart | 6[3] | ||
| Single | Chart (1990) | Peak position |
Album |
| "The Clairvoyant / Infinite Dreams" | UK Albums Chart[note 1] | 11[4] | — |
Notes
edit- ^ Re-release of both singles as part of The First Ten Years box set. Exceeded the length limit of the UK Singles chart.
References
edit- ^ a b "The Clairvoyant" 12 Inch Single (Media notes). Iron Maiden. EMI. 7 November 1988.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Irish Charts Archive". IRMA. irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ "Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive 26 November 1988". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ "Top 40 Official Albums Chart UK Archive 28 April 1990". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
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