Sanctuary (Iron Maiden song)

Infobox Single
Name = Sanctuary

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Artist = Iron Maiden
from Album = Iron Maiden
Released = 23 May 1980
Format = Vinyl record(7")(12")
Recorded = 1980
Genre = Heavy metal
Length = 3:13
Label = EMI
Writer = Steve Harris
Paul Di'Anno
Dave Murray
Producer = Will Malone
Certification =
Last single = "Running Free"
(1980)
This single = "Sanctuary"
(1980)
Next single = "Women in Uniform"
(1980)

"Sanctuary" is the second single released by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The single was released on 23 May 1980. The song was included in the US release of their debut album "Iron Maiden" but it was not included in the UK/European release. However, when the album was re-released in 1998 the song was added to the UK release.

The cover art shows the band's mascot, Eddie having just murdered the Prime Minister of the time, Margaret Thatcher. This image, though intended as a lighthearted play on her nickname as the "Iron Lady", managed to cause a minor stir in local newspapers (though this was nothing compared with the reaction to one of their future albums). In Germany Thatcher's eyes were covered by a black box because the image was considered somewhat offensive.

"Sanctuary" was originally released in both 7" and 12" 45rpm vinyl formats. The 12" included Prowler as an extra song on the A-side. The b-side includes a live version of the song "Drifter" and a live version of Montrose's "I've Got the Fire", from their 1974 album "Paper Money". "Drifter" includes the usual crowd interaction part where the audience is invited to follow the lead singer as he chants "Yo Yo Yo". Interestingly, the "Yo Yo Yo" chant comes from The Police song "Walking on the Moon" Both of the songs were recorded live at the Marquee Club in London on 3 April 1980.

On "Sanctuary", the first guitar solo is played by Dennis Stratton followed by a guitar solo by Dave Murray. On both the live versions of "Drifter" and "I've Got the Fire", the first guitar solo is played by Murray while the second is played by Stratton.

On live performances of the song, the band would always slip in the opening guitar riff of Queen's "Keep Yourself Alive" on the final portion of the instrumental section.

The song was not originally released on any of the band's albums. However it appears as a bonus track on reissues of the band's self-titled debut.

An alternate recording of the song was featured on the NWOBHM Metal for Muthas compilation.

Track listing

# "Sanctuary" (Harris, Di'Anno, Murray) - 3:13
# "Drifter (Live at the Marquee, London 1980)" (Harris, Di'Anno) - 6:03
# "I've Got the Fire (Live at the Marquee, London 1980)" (Ronnie Montrose; Montrose cover) - 3:14

Credits

*Paul Di'Anno - vocals
*Dave Murray - guitar
*Dennis Stratton - guitar, backing vocals
*Steve Harris - bass guitar, backing vocals
*Clive Burr - drums