The Prisoner

Lore & Background

The song draws its entire concept from the British television series 'The Prisoner'. To secure these rights, manager Rod Smallwood had to telephone Patrick McGoohan, the star of the original series. Smallwood described McGoohan as a 'real bona fide superstar actor' who was initially extremely hesitant during their conversation. When asked about the band's name and purpose, McGoohan reportedly replied, 'What did you say the name was? A rock band, you say? Do it.' This permission allowed Iron Maiden to weave the show's themes of individuality and oppression directly into the metal framework, creating a unique bridge between 1960s television and early 1980s heavy metal.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of the song is inextricably linked to the visual and audio world of the TV series it honors. The inclusion of dialogue from 'The Prisoner' title sequence serves as the story's opening hook, immediately establishing a tone of surveillance and confinement before the music even begins. While the source does not detail the specific lyrics of the song beyond its inspiration, the act of securing permission from Patrick McGoohan is a pivotal moment in the track's history. The hesitation of the actor turned into enthusiastic approval, with his simple 'Do it' granting the band the license to reinterpret his iconic role.

Reader's Guide

Fans exploring this track should note its unique origin story involving the legal clearance of audio clips. The song stands apart in Iron Maiden's discography because it required direct authorization from a television star, a rarity for rock bands at the time. When listening, pay attention to the spoken word segments which are authentic samples from the TV show, not studio recreations. This detail underscores the band's commitment to their inspirations. The track also serves as a precursor to another song based on the same series, 'Back in the Village', released two years later on 1984's Powerslave album, showing a sustained interest in the themes of that specific show.

Did You Know?

• Manager Rod Smallwood personally telephoned Patrick McGoohan to ask for permission to use audio clips from the TV show.
• McGoohan described himself as a 'real bona fide superstar actor' and was initially hesitant before agreeing with, 'Do it.'
• Iron Maiden later created another song based on the same series called 'Back in the Village' on their 1984 album Powerslave.
• The track is one of only two songs by Iron Maiden directly inspired by the TV show The Prisoner.