Running Free

"Running Free" is the debut single by Iron Maiden, released on 8 February 1980 on the 7" 45 rpm vinyl record format. It was written by Steve Harris and Paul Di'Anno. The song appears as the third track on the band's debut album Iron Maiden (and the fourth track on its 1998 re-release). In 1985, a live version of the song was released as the first single from Live After Death (the band's twelfth single).

Background

According to vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who wrote the song's lyrics, it is "a very autobiographical song, though of course I've never spent the night in an LA jail. It's about being 16 and, like it says, just running wild and running free. It comes from my days as a skinhead." The song is known to be one of the band's more traditional rock numbers, which Mick Wall describes as "Iron Maiden at their punk-metal apotheosis," and is still performed live to this day.

The single's cover art is famously known as the first official appearance of Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, although his face is obscured as the band did not want him unveiled until the album's release. Several band names (such as Scorpions, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Sex Pistols and Led Zeppelin) are spray painted on the wall behind the youth in the picture, as well as the word "Hammers," a tribute to West Ham United. Ironically, the live single's cover art is the first not to feature Eddie, as it shows a real picture of the band performing on stage.

Stillwater (band)

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Stillwater were an American band, based in Warner Robins, Georgia, that played Southern rock and was active from 1973 to '82. They released two albums on Capricorn Records, Stillwater (1977) and I Reserve the Right (1978), before the label folded in '79 (the self-titled debut contains "Mind Bender," which peaked at #46 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February of '78). Drummer David Heck reformed Stillwater in the mid-'90s; they released the album Runnin' Free in 1998.

Former members

In popular culture

A fictional, unrelated band named Stillwater is featured in the 2000 film Almost Famous.

"I Reserve the Right" is featured in the opening scene of the pilot episode of Tremors.

Scouse the Mouse

Scouse the Mouse is a children's album, released in the UK in 1977, that featured the vocals of Ringo Starr and others.

Story and recording

Starr appears as the album's main character, Scouse the Mouse, who emigrates from Liverpool to the United States. Scouse is a word for things from Liverpool. Other characters are played by Adam Faith (“Bonce the Mouse”) and Barbara Dickson (“Molly Jolly”). The album was written and directed by Donald Pleasence. Most of the songs performed on the album were composed by Roger Brown.

Starr's tracks ("I Know a Place", "S.O.S.", "A Mouse Like Me", "Living in a Pet Shop", "Scouse's Dream", "Running Free", "Boat Ride" and "Scouse the Mouse") were recorded in July 1977, produced by Hugh Murphy, at Berwick Street Studios.

Release

An animated television version of the story was planned for airing on ITV, but it was delayed due to a strike and ultimately shelved.

Scouse the Mouse was released on 9 December 1977 in the UK by Polydor. The album, which was the third and final release in Starr’s three-album deal with Polydor Records, was not issued in the United States.