In a new interview with Revolver, Bruce Dickinson revealed which song he wanted to be played over his grave.
When writer Dan Epstein asked the Iron Maiden singer to pick the track he’s proudest of writing, he replied:
“Oh man, pick your favorite child… What song would I want them to play in the slot machine over my grave? [Laughs] Possibly ‘Jerusalem’ [from 1998’s ‘The Chemical Wedding’]. Which is not my song. I mean, I co-wrote it with Roy; but that one, yeah.”
Dickinson Likes Graveyards
In a February chat with EMP, the rocker also disclosed that graveyards were a source of inspiration for him, explaining why:
“I think if you’re creative, then you just have to be aware of when creativity may strike and be prepared to abandon all those ordinary things that everybody else thinks are important for that special moment, which has just fallen and hit you on top of the head, which can be very frustrating for the rest of humanity when they want you to go to dinner, but you actually want to write the last page of something because you just happen to be in the mood. Things like that happen at odd and unusual times.”
Bruce’s Best And Worst Songs In His Career
Previously, Dickinson also talked about the song he thinks is his best one. He chose ‘Tears of the Dragon,’ from his ‘Balls to Picasso’ and said:
“I would say ‘Tears of the Dragon’ [from Dickinson’s 1994 solo album, ‘Balls to Picasso’] — ’cause I don’t know what it means. But it means something. That song really affects people. It affects me.”
He further discussed the song’s meaning for him:
“I do know what it’s about: It’s about abandonment, not being abandoned, but abandoning yourself to the universe, to whatever is gonna come next. But I still don’t know why it is ‘the tears of the dragon.’ I’ve never figured that out. It works and it means something, but I don’t know what it is. And that’s why it’s great.”
Besides his favorite songs, the singer also has a bad one. According to him, ‘Zulu Lulu’ from 1990’s ‘Tattooed Millionaire’ is the worst track he has ever written.
You can listen to ‘Jerusalem’ below.