Gangland
Iron Maiden * Track #7 On The Number of the Beast
Download "Gangland"
Album The Number of the Beast
Gangland by Iron Maiden
Release Date
Performed by
Iron MaidenProduced by
Martin BirchWrited by
Adrian Smith & Clive BurrAbout
“Gangland” is about the fear and uncertainty of a life in a 1930s Al Capone-style gang warzone.
When the band released the “Run to the Hills” single, they had to decide between this song and “Total Eclipse” to be the B-side on the single. The other song would be chosen for the album. The band hasti...
Gangland Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Shadows may hide you but also be your grave
You're running today, maybe tomorrow you'll be saved
You pray for the daylight to save you for a while
You wonder if your children will face the killer's smile
[Chorus]
Dead men tell no tales
Gangland, murder's up for sale
Dead men tell no tales
Gangland, where the jail birds die
[Verse 2]
Face at the window leers into your own
But it's only your reflection, still you tremble in your bones
How long can you hide? How long till they come?
A rat in a trap, but you've got to survive
[Bridge]
Once you were glad to be free for a while
The air tasted good and the world was your friend
Then came the day when the hard times began
Now you're alone, but alive for how long?
[Chorus]
Dead men tell no tales
Gangland, murder's up for sale
Dead men tell no tales
In gangland, where the jail birds die
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
A knife at your throat, another body on the pile
A contract to keep and it's service with a smile
Murder for vengeance or murder for gain
Death on the streets or a blacked out jail
[Chorus]
Dead men tell no tales
Gangland, murder's up for sale
Dead men tell no tales
Gangland, where the jail birds die
[Outro]
Dead men
Gangland
Murder
Gangland, tell no tales
Gangland Q&A
Who wrote Gangland's ?
Gangland was written by Adrian Smith & Clive Burr.
Who produced Gangland's ?
Gangland was produced by Martin Birch.
When did Iron Maiden release Gangland?
Iron Maiden released Gangland on Mon Mar 22 1982.
What did Iron Maiden say about "Gangland"?
We just chose the wrong track as the B-side. I think if “Total Eclipse” had been on the album instead of “Gangland” it would have been far better.
—Steve Harris, unhappy with the choice to put the track on the album.