For My Sunday Song #394, we see Mike continue his Japanese Edition Bonus Tracks with “Return of the King” by Bruce Dickinson. The song is off his 1998 album ‘The Chemical Wedding’. The song was written by Bruce Dickinson and his Iron Maiden bandmate Adrian Smith. Now, don’t think you can only get this on a Japanese Edition as that is not the case anymore. It is on the Expanded Edition of the album and you can stream it on Apple Music and probably any streaming service and you should.

The song is partially about Stonehenge or maybe the Beltany Stone Circle as referenced by the Beltane Fires. It talks about how long it took to build and the mysteries behind it. It also talks about Uther Pendragon the legendary King of the Britons and father to King Arthur. This is one reason I’ve never listened to Bruce or Maiden as it makes you think and learn history. I just want to rock out.

However, the song does kick ass. Bruce’s vocals are really incredible as they soar to amazing heights and are perfectly suited fo heavy metal. He is one of the best in the business. The song to me feels more like Iron Maiden then I expected, to be honest. I figured this was a solo album, it would be his own thing, but I guess with Adrian also in on the writing, the Maiden connection makes sense. It is a is rocking track and some great guitar work and the drums are immense and powerful. A really cool song I will admit.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Should it have made the final track list of the album? I think so. It is pretty darn cool. Now, I want to thank Mike for picking these tracks and you should go check out his website – Mike Ladano and his YouTube page for Grab A Stack A Rock. You will enjoy it all!! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a Happy Sunday!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=g2oEatnqLxc%3Fsi%3D2zvxuWBSdLwD4Zjh

“Return Of The King”

A 100 years of toil and pain
To pull a stone upright again
Uproot from its mountain home
Taken to this sacred circle

Is there a secret in the stone?
A message in the hills
Is there a secret in the stones?
A message long ago

I know the king will come again

From the shadow to the sun

Burning hillsides from the beltane fires

I know the king will come again

When all that glitters turn to rust

Uther pendragon standing fast beside you
The sun the moon we worshipped here
A calendar of fear
Gazing across the channel sea
To see the beacons burning brightly

Is that a shadow on the hill?
Or a phantom in the mere
What is the meaning of these stones?
Why do they stand alone?

I know the king will come again

From the shadow to the sun

Burning hillsides with the beltane fires

I know the king will come again

When all that glitters turn to rust

Uther pendragon standing fast beside you
Is that a shadow on the hill?
Or a phantom in the mere
What is the meaning of these stones?
Why do they stand alone?

I know the king will come again

From the shadow to the sun

Burning hillsides with the beltane fires

I know the king will come again

When all that glitters turn to rust

Uther pendragon standing fast beside you
I know the king will come again
I know the king will come again

Written by Bruce Dickinson & Adrian Smith