Genghis Khan by Iron Maiden

Album: Killers (1981)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This is an instrumental song that expresses musically the fear, terror, apprehension, and feeling of being overwhelmed. It also "describes" the army's military power. Genghis Khan was a warrior who led the Mongolian empire.
Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris, who wrote this song, explained: "This was another song where there could have been a vocal melody on top, but it felt good as an instrumental. A vocal would have cluttered it up. Originally it was written to depict the feeling and sound of Genghis Khan's army going into battle. It felt better not to have any guitar solos on this track."
This was released as the B-side to the single for "Purgatory." It is the lowest charting Maiden single to date, and only went as far as #52 in the UK charts.
The 1998 album A Call to Irons: A Tribute to Iron Maiden featured a cover of this by Angel Corpse.
This is one of four instrumental Iron Maiden songs the band has released. The others are "The Ides of March" (also Maiden's shortest song, at one minute and forty-four seconds), "Transylvania" (which was originally meant to have lyrics, but ultimately the band determined it sounded best as just instrumental) and "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)" (the title is "Loss for words- big horror!" as pronounced in a Cockney accent). >>
Suggestion credit:
Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for all above
In 1990 Iron Maiden released a series of CDs called The First Ten Years which contained commentary from their drummer Nicko McBrain in features called "Listen With Nicko." On one of these discs, Nicko said that this song was originally called "Jenkin's Barn." >>
Suggestion credit:
Mike - Cumbria, England
Papa Roach "borrowed" the guitar riff from this song in their hit "Last Resort."

Comments: 6

Kieran from Brisbane, AustraliaAll of Maiden's stuff up to and including Seventh Son is classic. Ironic that Papa Roach 'nicked' the riff from this for Last Resort as that riff was apparently also originally taken from Beethoven's Fur Elise.
Anthony from Parsippany, NjBen...I maybe late to the party on a response, but YES! EMark is on the money!! My suggestions in order:

Iron Maiden
Killers
Number of the Beast
Piece of Mind

This will get you going and you'll appreciate the first singer, Paul Dianno then realize the utter greatness of Bruce Dickinson. Both singers are great, with Bruce having the better range. Try Powerslave then go right to Brave New World. In between is kind of lame.
Emarkm from Cheshire, United KingdomTo Ben from MYC, yes, Iron Maiden are amazing - start with their oldest stuff and work forward...or do whatever you feel...just get out there and enjoy their wonderful music!
Ben from Nyc, MsI am really new to IM. Are they really that Good??
Anthony from Parsippany, NjOne of the BEST intrumentals on this mother-loving planet.
Rex Jackson from Sleze Lans, MaAs Nicko said on "Listen with Nicko" from the singles box set 1980-1990..."It was written on short notice...that's why it's a short song"...Interesting aside, Clive Burr was drumming with them at the time

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Wild BoysDuran Duran

Duran Duran's "Wild Boys" is based on the book of the same name by William Burroughs.

My WayFrank Sinatra

According to Frank Sinatra's daughter, he hated "My Way," but had to sing it at every show when it became his signature song.

Blurred LinesRobin Thicke

Robin Thicke had a #1 hit with "Blurred Lines" in 2013, but he wasn't the first in his family with a hit song. His mom, Gloria Loring, was a singer who had a hit in 1986 with "Friends And Lovers," a duet with Carl Anderson.