Somewhere I hear a voice that’s calling…
Somewhere I hear a voice that’s calling
Out in the dark there burns a dream
You got to hope when you are falling
To find the world that you have seen
I remember it well, the weekend in 1986 before Iron Maiden released Somewhere In Time. I had gone in to Unicorn Records to see Drew and ask if he had the new Maiden yet…on cassette of course. He said he did but couldn’t sell 
it yet…legally. I asked to at least look at it and after much badgering, he finally conceded. It was all I could do to not just run out of the store with it. Of course I wouldn’t have as the owner and I were friends, but I did consider it.
He told me to come back Tuesday. I told him I’d have to wait until the following weekend. I think he could see the pain in my face and he definitely knew that Maiden was my favorite band. I handed it back to him and was about to leave and when he stopped me and said, “OK. I’ll sell it to you. Just don’t tell anyone!” Drew was such a softie! I handed him the money and bolted out to my old 66 Nova 4dr.
Flash forward to this morning. I had to actually work on a Saturday (it was actually a class at work). After it was finished, I got into my car and decided to listen to some Maiden. I when to the Maiden folder on the iPod and decided that I wanted to hear Somewhere In Time. I was in the mood for Sea of Madness and Wasted Years specifically.
When that first synth in Caught Somewhere In Time started, I suddenly felt a chill come over me, in a good way. It took me right back to that day in 86, sitting in my car and popping that cassette in for the first time. I was completely awed by the album. It was quite different than Powerslave (my all time #1). The ride back to my town was about 30 minutes or so and I got through half of the album. I had to call someone! So I called, Kelz. “Dude, Drew sold me the new Maiden today.” “No he didn’t.” “Yes, he did! Listen!” “Man, you suck.” Kelz and I repeated this conversation when Seventh Son came out. haha
While Somewhere is a damn fine album, I still find myself skipping Alexander the Great.
The Metal Files 
You skip Alexander The Great? That’s one of the best tunes on the album. Yeah it’s a tad bit long. But it’s so fucking EPIC! The title track still blows me away every time I hear it.
Tony Ramos
March 31, 2012 at 3:30 pm
yeah, it’s not a bad song, just a little too drawn out for me.
The Metal Files
March 31, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Love Alexander the great. I remember getting this on cassette the day it came out. Sorry, no softies at Curry’s Music where I bought 90% of my metal between 1985 and 1987. I like Somewhere in time but not nearly as much as any of their previous albums. I also remember staring at the cover, even the back cover of SIT is far better than most band’s front covers.
Mark McKinney
April 1, 2012 at 8:59 am
That’s a fun Metal memory you’ve shared! I bought ‘Somewhere In Time’ on vinyl at Record Town.. or Towne. Damn… a ’66 Nova’… that’s old school.
Metal Odyssey
April 1, 2012 at 9:15 am
Classic album! I skip “Sea of Madness” and most of the Maiden after Seventh Son of A Seventh Son sadly.
*the rest of this post edited by The Metal Files. do not spam my page*
seancebloggse
April 1, 2012 at 12:54 pm
It’s only in recent years that I can listen to Seventh Son and not hate it.
The Metal Files
April 1, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Great moment – sadly I didn’t find Maiden till much later in life.
However, I have made up for it.
Paschendale was my gateway song. I was hooked from that moment forward.
I couldn’t skip a single song on this CD, Alexander The Great is one of my favorites.
atothewr
April 2, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I like the fact you could sweet talk your local record store – I would never have thought of doing that! Good post…
every record tells a story
April 3, 2012 at 4:12 pm