The Sheriff Of Huddersfield by Iron Maiden

Album: The First Ten Years (1986)

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"The Sheriff Of Huddersfield" is about Iron Maiden's manager, Rod Smallwood, who was nicknamed Rod Smallwallet. He is notorious for being a stingy miser, spending as little money as possible and not above cheating people for a few bucks. He reminds many people of the Sheriff of Nottingham from the Robin Hood stories.
There is an episode of the 1960's TV series The Fugitive titled "The Iron Maiden." It features Richard Schuyler playing a sheriff. There is also an episode of Team Knight Rider called "The Iron Maiden."
This was released as one of the several B-sides to the single for "Wasted Years." In 1990, it was included on the Iron Maiden box set The First Ten Years.
At the time this song was released, Smallwood had moved to a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, but was having difficulty settling in and often complained to the band. They wrote this as a joke and kept it hidden from him until the single "Wasted Years" was released.
The Japanese EP for Stranger in a Strange Land is notorious for its lyric sheet for "The Sheriff Of Huddersfield," riddled with absurdly hilarious errors. >>
Suggestion credit:
Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for all above

Comments: 6

Spic N Span from BeverlyThere is no rap in the song, just a bridge where someone is talking and it isn't performed by Rod--he didn't even know about the song until it was pressed. It was performed quite obviously by the singer.
Martin from Reading, United KingdomYeah Bruce immitated Rod which as you can imagine Rod didn't like one bit! On the re-release singles to celebrate the first 10 years, Nicko recorded some stories/jokes & recalled how this recording came about. His impression of Rod was actually better than Bruce's! "When I were a lad I could lift five navvies on 'tent o' shovel"!
Thomas from Northern Germany@sebastian: It´s included on the "Wastes Years"-single, which - as far as I know - is still available at Amazon.
Sebastian from Fredrikstad, United Stateswhere do you find this song?
Rex Jackson from Sleze Lans, MaI have a version of "quick or dead" with Space Station 5 on it (pretty good. At the end of that song there is a "Sherrif of Huddergield" repirse of sorts..It ends with Rod (probably Bruce) saying "I'm glad I'm back...England bloody needed me"
PS - not all of the singles came with the banter, some just stopped at the end of the music.."here comes Metallica in the rearview mirror!!!"
Claudio from Genova, ItalyThe rap said above is actually performed by Bruce Dickinson (singer of the band) imitating Rod's voice...

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