WASTED YEARS

"'Wasted Years'" was the fourteenth single released by Iron Maiden and the first from their ''Somewhere in Time'' album. Released in 1986, it was the first single to be written by guitarist Adrian Smith alone. It reached number 18 in the UK charts.
The B-side "Reach Out" was sung by Adrian Smith, with Bruce Dickinson singing backing vocals. This song was performed by Nicko McBrain and Adrian Smith's jam band who called themselves The Entire Population of Hackney.
The song "Sheriff of Huddersfield" is about Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood's decision to move to Los Angeles and buy a house in the Hollywood hills. Apparently he had trouble adjusting to the new lifestyle in LA and often complained to the band about it. Interestingly Rod Smallwood was unaware of the song until it was released on the single (the band had kept it secret). Later, a similar comedy piece mocking Smallwood was released as an unlisted untitled B-side ("Space Station No. 5"'s epilogue) in the ''Be Quick or Be Dead'' single.
It's the only song on Somewhere In Time that features no synthesizers.
This song has also been covered by the power metal band Helloween

Contents

Track listing

Numbers from the Beast version

Credits

Track listing

# "Wasted Years" (Adrian Smith) – 5:06
# "Reach Out" (Dave Colwell) – 3:31
# "Sheriff of Huddersfield" (Iron Maiden) – 3:35

Numbers from the Beast version

An all-star cover version of the song is found on the tribute album Numbers from the Beast. It features Dee Snider on vocals, George Lynch and Bob Kulick on guitars, Jeff Pilson on bass, and Jason Bonham on drums. This version follows the basic schedule of Smith's original composition, but varies in terms of guitar solos.

Credits

★ Bruce Dickinson – vocals

★ Dave Murray – guitar

★ Adrian Smith – guitar, backing vocals (Lead Vocals on "Reach Out")

★ Steve Harris – bass guitar, backing vocals

★ Nicko McBrain – drums