"The Clairvoyant" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It is the band's nineteenth single and the third from their seventh studio album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988). The single, which was also released as a clear vinyl, peaked at number six in the British charts. It contains three live performances from Maiden's 1988 headlining performance at the Monsters of Rock festival in Donington Park.
The promotional video for the song, although set to the studio version, features live clips from the Donington performance.
Song information The song starts in the first person, from the main character's point of view. Later, when he is dead it is in the third person. According to Steve Harris, the song was inspired by the death of psychic Doris Stokes, and her wondering that if she were truly able to see the future, would not she had foreseen her own death?
The song's guitar solo is played by Dave Murray.
Track listing 7" Single
12" Single
Personnel Production credits are adapted from the 12 inch vinyl cover. Iron Maiden Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals Dave Murray – guitar Adrian Smith – guitar, backing vocals Steve Harris – bass guitar, backing vocals Nicko McBrain – drums Additional musicians Michael Kenney – keyboards Production Martin Birch – producer Tony Wilson – producer Derek Riggs – cover illustration Ross Halfin – photography
Versions SongsCountry & YearCatalog NumberFormatThe Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live)Germany 1988EMI 006-20 3927 7Single 7"The Clairvoyant / The Prisoner (Live)UK 1988EMI EM 79Black Labels Single 7"The Clairvoyant / The Prisoner (Live)UK 1988EMI EM 79Silver Labels Single 7"The Clairvoyant / The Prisoner (Live)UK 1988EMI EMS 79Poster Sleeve Clear Vinyl Single 7"The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live)EEC 1988EMI K 060 20 3048 6Maxi Single 12"The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live)UK 1988EMI 12 EM 79Maxi Single 12"The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live)UK 1988EMI 12EMG 79Maxi Single 12" Gatefold SleeveThe Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live)UK 1988EMI EMP 79Shaped Picture Disc 7"The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live)UK 1988EMI EMP 79Uncut Picture Disc 12"The Clairvoyant (Live) / The Prisoner (Live) / Heaven Can Wait (Live)UK 1988EMI CDEM 79CD Single
Chart performance Single Chart (1988) Peakposition Album "The Clairvoyant" Irish Singles Chart 7 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son UK Singles Chart 6 Single Chart (1990) Peakposition Album "The Clairvoyant / Infinite Dreams" UK Albums ChartRe-release of both singles as part of The First Ten Years box set. Exceeded the length limit of the UK Singles chart. 11 —
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