Iron Maiden Song Smith Didn’t Expect Harris to Like

One of the most iconic and beloved songs by Iron Maiden is “Wasted Years,” a track that Adrian Smith initially hesitated to share with the band’s founder, Steve Harris, fearing it wouldn’t resonate with him. Little did he know, this song would become a defining anthem for the band, showcasing their unique sound and lyrical depth.

“Wasted Years,” featured on the 1986 album Somewhere in Time, has recently been celebrated during Iron Maiden’s The Future Past Tour, which highlights both the classic record and their contemporary work, Senjutsu. This performance marked a poignant moment, as it was also the last song played by drummer Nicko McBrain, who officially retired at the age of 72 on December 7, 2023, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In an exclusive interview with MusicRadar, Adrian Smith reflects on the remarkable circumstances that led to him being the sole author of three tracks on the album, a rare occurrence in the collaborative world of Iron Maiden.

Uncovering the Intricacies of the Somewhere in Time Songwriting Journey

During the creation of Somewhere in Time, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson was notably absent from the songwriting sessions. Coming off an exhausting 13-month world tour in support of the 1984 album Powerslave, he was eager for Iron Maiden to explore a new musical direction, presenting acoustic songs he had written during this time.

“That tour took a toll on Bruce and the entire band,” Smith recalls. “Bruce had developed a keen interest in fencing, often participating in tournaments. The acoustic songs he introduced were interesting, but they didn’t align with the band’s vision for the new album.” This divergence in creative direction created a unique atmosphere as the band regrouped in New Jersey during the winter months.

As the band spent their days in a hotel, the atmosphere became relaxed, with members passing time by “just drinking.” During this period, Smith underwent a root canal procedure, which led to an unexpected moment of inspiration. While taking a taxi back to the hotel in the rain, he suddenly conceived the riff for “Stranger in a Strange Land,” prompting him to dive into songwriting the moment he returned.

“We were eager to explore new ideas with this album,” Smith explains. “I always envisioned creating a polished sound, rather than capturing a raw live performance with just a hint of production.” This ambition for heightened production quality became a hallmark of the album.

Somewhere in Time is renowned for Iron Maiden’s groundbreaking use of guitar synthesizers, which became a significant element of the album. This experimentation also played a crucial role in the creation of another standout track, “Wasted Years.”

Released as the album’s lead single, “Wasted Years” has become a hallmark of Iron Maiden’s live performances, being played over 700 times. According to setlist.fm, it ranks as the 14th most frequently performed song by the band.

Smith recounts the moment of inspiration: “I received a Roland guitar synth from Japan, and when I powered it up, it emitted a wild sound that sparked a creative flow. I began playing along with the rhythmic tones, leading to the inception of the song almost immediately.”

Interestingly, Smith’s initial four-track demo of “Wasted Years” had a sound reminiscent of U2, which led him to doubt its potential appeal to Harris. “I didn’t plan on presenting it to him,” Smith admits. However, during a rehearsal, Harris overheard Smith playing the track and expressed his enthusiasm, saying, ‘That’s good. We should do that.’”

Smith adds, “Steve has a knack for surprising you. Just when you think he wouldn’t embrace a certain direction, he’s ready to experiment. With Bruce absent, I quickly penned the lyrics as well.” He emphasizes, “If Steve hadn’t stumbled upon it that day, I might never have shared it with him.”