Fear of the Dark

Iron Maiden

I am a man who walks alone
And when I'm walking a dark road
At night or strolling through the park

When the light begins to change
I sometimes feel a little strange
A little anxious when it's dark

Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there

Have you run your fingers down the wall
And have you felt your neck skin crawl
When you're searching for the light?
Sometimes when you're scared to take a look
At the corner of the room
You've sensed that something's watching you

Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Have a phobia that someone's always there

Have you ever been alone at night
Thought you heard footsteps behind
And turned around and no one's there?
And as you quicken up your pace
You find it hard to look again
Because you're sure there's someone there

Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
have a phobia that someone's always there

Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark

Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark

Watching horror films the night before
Debating witches and folklore
The unknown troubles on your mind
Maybe your mind is playing tricks
You sense and suddenly eyes fix
On dancing shadows from behind

Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Have a phobia that someone's always there

Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Have a phobia that someone's always there

When I'm walking a dark road
I am a man who walks alone


Lyrics submitted by numb, edited by manometal

Fear of the Dark [2015 Remastered Version] Lyrics as written by Stephen Percy Harris

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Fear of the Dark song meanings
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75 Comments

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  • +9
    General Comment
    The song talks about a man who is strolling through the night and fears someone (whether it be a man, a demon, a witch, a vampire, an animal, etc.) watching him only to find out that no one's there. The symbolism of this story is that darkness is often misunderstood as its nature is intertwined with the unknown. So, from a simplistic perspective its perfectly understandable that the darkness and the shadows would be considered evil, scary, or sinister and the light would be considered good since they're on two sides of the same coin in terms of what is known and what is unknown. But the point that Iron Maiden is trying to get across is that this "fear of the dark" is all in people's heads and that the darkness can hold just as much good as it can bad, just as the light can hold just as much bad as it can good.
    MetalRoxon July 31, 2012   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    This song is no:1 in expressing a fear in simple words. When I listen to this song I myself feel the creeps. Its descriptions are very affecting. I love this song.
    mercanfaton January 08, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I love the live version of it. When the crowd sings with them, it's so beautiful it makes my hair on my arm stand up straight.
    TormentxofxGraceon May 10, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    i love the live version of this song, especially the one on Rock in Rio, the crowd is singing the melody along with Bruce, just awesome. But i didn't like the video that showed on MTV2 it was kinda stupid. UP THE IRONS!!!
    RobGarcinon May 31, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Actually it's Graveworm that did a cover for this song... cof did a cover for hollowed be thy name
    selpi2000on January 25, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    From a quote directly from Bruce Dickinson's biography: "Some of his lyrics on 'Fear of the Dark' were dealing with serious issues, such as aids and the backside ofo promiscuity..." There's some food for thought for you.
    RainbowDemonon February 02, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Fear Of The Dark is just WOW!! I can't think of any words to describe it, it's just amazing. As for the meaning of it, well I think everyone can relate to it; it's about feeling scared, not of the dark as such, but of whatever is/could be lurking around in the dark.
    Red_Lionesson June 27, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    My favourite song ever! SO TRUE!!
    roses_r_4everon January 29, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    That's the best song, of the best band, with the best singer all over the world. Fear of the dark is just the most amazing song all over the world. That's it. This song stick so well to me too, i always had a little fear of the dark, and still have.
    urikon February 13, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Well, apparently Steve Harris wrote this because he, as a kid, had a fear of the dark...amazing song though the best version is definately on Rock In Rio...the whole band put so much into it...just watch the DVD
    floydmasteron March 25, 2006   Link

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