When I first heard this song I instantly thought back to a book that I'm currently reading called Tail End Charlie which is about the RAF and USAAF bomber crews. I know that the RAF bombers flew at night and the chorus made me think of the many pilots who were cold, scared and tired seeing the very welcome sight of their home airfield and landing their damaged Lancaster, Halifax or Sterling.
As a pilot myself I could listen to this song over and over again, just listening to it makes me think of my cross country solo, flying several hours in the summer sun, coming home to the small grass aerodrome and drinking an ice cold glass of lager in the garden at home afterwards.
Octavarium, my first thoughts were the ones I've wrote above but I reckon that you are probably right, the landing after the long journey is probably the end of the Somewhere Back In Time tour.
I'm a bit disappointed with myself that I didn't consider the song being about Bruce Dickinson flying the plane until I came here and saw your post.
I don't think Iron Maiden will retire, look at bands like the Rolling Stones, The Who (yes I know there is only two original members) and AC/DC, performing is in their blood, muscle and in their bones, bands like that don't retire.
With The Who, it's not just only two original members, they're the only surviving members. (Still, love all those bands you listed.)
With The Who, it's not just only two original members, they're the only surviving members. (Still, love all those bands you listed.)
I'm also a pilot and absolutely love this song, good connection to it after hearing it for the first time. After spending time away, whether it's days, months, or even years, few things are as symbolic as seeing those runway lights as your about to touch down on your way home.
I'm also a pilot and absolutely love this song, good connection to it after hearing it for the first time. After spending time away, whether it's days, months, or even years, few things are as symbolic as seeing those runway lights as your about to touch down on your way home.
When I first heard this song I instantly thought back to a book that I'm currently reading called Tail End Charlie which is about the RAF and USAAF bomber crews. I know that the RAF bombers flew at night and the chorus made me think of the many pilots who were cold, scared and tired seeing the very welcome sight of their home airfield and landing their damaged Lancaster, Halifax or Sterling.
As a pilot myself I could listen to this song over and over again, just listening to it makes me think of my cross country solo, flying several hours in the summer sun, coming home to the small grass aerodrome and drinking an ice cold glass of lager in the garden at home afterwards.
Octavarium, my first thoughts were the ones I've wrote above but I reckon that you are probably right, the landing after the long journey is probably the end of the Somewhere Back In Time tour. I'm a bit disappointed with myself that I didn't consider the song being about Bruce Dickinson flying the plane until I came here and saw your post. I don't think Iron Maiden will retire, look at bands like the Rolling Stones, The Who (yes I know there is only two original members) and AC/DC, performing is in their blood, muscle and in their bones, bands like that don't retire.
With The Who, it's not just only two original members, they're the only surviving members. (Still, love all those bands you listed.)
With The Who, it's not just only two original members, they're the only surviving members. (Still, love all those bands you listed.)
I'm also a pilot and absolutely love this song, good connection to it after hearing it for the first time. After spending time away, whether it's days, months, or even years, few things are as symbolic as seeing those runway lights as your about to touch down on your way home.
I'm also a pilot and absolutely love this song, good connection to it after hearing it for the first time. After spending time away, whether it's days, months, or even years, few things are as symbolic as seeing those runway lights as your about to touch down on your way home.