The Clairvoyant

A 1988 single featuring three live tracks from Monsters of Rock at Donington Park.

"The Clairvoyant" is the nineteenth single released by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It serves as the third track from their seventh studio album, "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son," issued in 1988. The release was notable for being available on clear vinyl and achieved a peak position at number six on the British charts. Beyond the audio recording, the single package included three live performances captured during the band's headlining set at the Monsters of Rock festival in Donington Park in 1988. A promotional video was also produced; although it utilizes the studio version of the song for its audio track, the visual content features live clips from that same Donington performance.

Quick Facts

Artist: Iron Maiden
Album: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
B-side: "The Prisoner (Live)"; "Heaven Can Wait (Live)"
Released: 7 November 1988
Recorded: 20 August 1988
Venue: Monsters of Rock Festival (Donington, UK)
Genre: Heavy metal
Length: 4:24

Lore & Background

The narrative structure of "The Clairvoyant" shifts perspective based on the protagonist's state of being. The song begins in the first person, told directly from the main character's point of view while he is alive. However, once the character dies, the narration switches to the third person. According to bassist and songwriter Steve Harris, this specific track was inspired by the real-life death of psychic Doris Stokes. Harris noted her own wondering: if she were truly capable of seeing the future, would she not have foreseen her own death? This irony forms the core thematic element of the song, exploring the limitations of precognition in the face of mortality.

Reader's Guide

For collectors, "The Clairvoyant" was released in both 7-inch and 12-inch single formats. The production credits found on the 12-inch vinyl cover confirm the involvement of Martin Birch and Tony Wilson as producers, alongside Michael Kenney's keyboard work. The single stands out not just for its chart success at number six in the UK, but for its inclusion of live material from Donington Park. Fans can distinguish between the studio version heard in the promotional video and the three live performances included on the physical single, which document the band's 1988 Monsters of Rock headlining appearance.