CosmicCharlie wrote on Jun 8
th, 2014 at 10:07pm:
what song is that?
To Tame A Land by Iron Maiden Quote:Based on the science fiction novel Dune, which was later made into a movie. Author Frank Herbert refused to allow the band to call this song "Dune." The band originally sent a letter to Herbert's agent for permission. The response read as follows: "No. Because Frank Herbert doesn't like rock bands, particularly heavy rock bands, and especially rock bands like Iron Maiden." Songwriter Steve Harris tried to convince Herbert that the song would be a good promo for the book, but he still refused.
Steve Harris often bases his compositions on works by other artists.
Contains many seemingly senseless words ("Fremen," "Caladan," "gom jabbar," "Muad'Dib," etc.). All of these were derived from the science fiction novel Dune, and make sense in the context of the story. Singer Bruce Dickinson did, understandably, mispronounce some of these words. (thanks, Jeff - Haltom City, TX, for all above)
On the back of the Somewhere in Time album, there is a "Herbert Ails" advertisement. This is a reference to the author of Dune.
Steve Harris: "This is the best song I've ever written. I was really pleased with Phantom, but now I have to say that this is the best."
Lead singer Bruce Dickinson referred to Frank Herbert as "a bit of a cu-t" because "among other things, he said that if we called this track that we wrote on the album 'Dune,' that he'd sue us and stop the album coming out, and all kinds of very unpleasant things." He made these remarks at a concert in Stockholm, Sweden, on June 5th, 1983.
Harris wanted to start the song with a spoken quote from Dune.
Morgion covered this for the compilation album A Call to Irons: A Tribute to Iron Maiden.
Runs 7:26. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for above 6)
Quote:"To Tame A Land"
He is the King of all the land
In the Kingdom of the sands
Of a time tomorrow.
He rules the sand worms and the Fremen
In the land amongst the stars
Of an age tomorrow.
He is destined to be a King
He rules over everything
On the land called planet Dune.
Bodywater is your life
And without in you would die
On the desert the planet Dune.
Without a stillsuit you would fry
On the sands so hot and dry
In a world called Arrakis.
It is a land that's rich in spice
The sandriders and the 'mice'
That they call the 'Muad' Dib'.
He is the Kwizatz Haderach.
He is born of Caladan
And will take the Gom Jabbar.
He has the power to foresee
Or to look into the past
He is the ruler of the stars.
The time will come for him
to lay claim his crown,
And then the foe yes
they'll be cut down,
You'll see he'll be the
best that there's been,
Messiah supreme
true leader of men,
And when the time
for judgement's at hand,
Don't fret he's strong
and he'll make a stand,
Against evil the fire
that spreads through the land,
He has the power
to make it all end.