Phantom of the Opera Lyrics

[Instrumental Intro 00:00-00:58]
Oh-woah, yeah!

[Verse 1]
I've been looking so long for you now
You won't get away from my grasp
You've been living so long in hiding
And hiding behind that false mask
And you know that I know that you ain't got that long to last
Your looks and your feelings are just the remains of your past

[Verse 2]
You're standing in the wings there, you wait for the curtain to fall
And knowing the terror and holding you have on us all
Now, I know that you're gonna
Scratch me and maim me and maul
And you know I'm helpless from your mesmerising catcall

Ooh

[Chorus]
Keep your distance, walk away, don't take his bait
Don't you stray, don't fade away, yeah
Watch your step, he's out to get you, come what may
Don't you stray from the narrow way, yeah

[Instrumental Break 02:42-06:37]
[Guitar Solo]
[Guitar Solo]
[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
I'm running and hiding, in my dreams, you're always there
You're the Phantom of the Opera
You're the devil, you're just out to scare
You damaged my mind and my soul, it just floats through the air
You haunt me, you taunt me, you torture me back at your lair

[Outro]
Torture me back at your lair

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About

Genius Annotation

The Phantom of the Opera is a French novel written by Gaston Leroux. It has been adapted into an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and multiple movies.

The song features an extended instrumental portion with Iron Maiden’s signature guitar harmonies.

Although the song was recorded with Paul Di'Anno on vocals, longtime frontman Bruce Dickinson has been known to tell the crowd at shows that if they don’t like this song, then they don’t “get” Iron Maiden.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Iron Maiden say about "Phantom of the Opera"?
Genius Answer

It’s a song written by the band a long time ago, before I was in Iron Maiden… It was the “New Wave of British Heavy Metal”. […] I was in a band called Samson, and Iron Maiden was a support band that evening, and they played this song. I had never heard a metal band playing a song like this before, and this song – really – is everything that Iron Maiden is all about. […] THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!

—Bruce Dickinson speech at Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2005, introducing the song to the audience.

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Lead Vocals
Engineering
Management
Production
Manufacturer
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Record Label
Recorded At
Kingsway Studios, London, England
Release Date
April 14, 1980
Phantom of the Opera Covers
Phantom of the Opera Live Performances
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