"The Trooper" is a song written by Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris. It is Iron Maiden's ninth single, and the second from their 1983 album Piece of Mind. The single was released on June 20, 1983. The song is about the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 during the Crimean War, and is at least partially based upon Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade", taking the viewpoint of one of the slain troopers, who, in the cover art, i...
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"The Trooper" is a song written by Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris. It is Iron Maiden's ninth single, and the second from their 1983 album Piece of Mind. The single was released on June 20, 1983. The song is about the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 during the Crimean War, and is at least partially based upon Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade", taking the viewpoint of one of the slain troopers, who, in the cover art, is perceived as a bald Eddie. Many Iron Maiden songs are based on books or movies, this seems to be a running theme in the band's work, especially songs written by Steve Harris.
To this day, it is considered one of the band's best songs, and often when performed live Bruce Dickinson wears a replica army jacket and holds an enormous Union Flag. Sometimes, before playing the song live, Bruce Dickinson will read parts of the Tennyson's poem as an introduction. The poem was later referenced by Iron Maiden again in the song "Paschendale" from their...
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