I was asked to listen to Iron Maiden - Wasted Years (Reaction!!) 

Think I'm going to like this band. Thanks for watching! Most of my requests come from here. To support the show here www.patreon.com/poloreacts or show your love for the channel by buying me a coffee www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts 🤞🏾

I hung out with these guys back in the late 70's early 80s!!! Drank with them and watched them literally 50 times or more before they "made it" and they really were the most humble decent blokes you could meet. I even played football ⚽️ with Steve Harris for a local amateur team (Melbourne FC).......I met Bruce a few years later when he was the frontman for a band called Samson.....he is also a very decent,well educated dude...it was obvious he was joining Iron Maiden. The best thing though about them is they have stayed true rockers and they have stayed really good humble guy's......up the Irons⚒️⚒️⚒️

'Wasted years' was written in 1986 by guitarist Adrian Smith... the video was a retrospective of Iron Maiden's career til that point... their 6th album 'Somewhere in time'... Steve Harris (bass) said that Smith usually wrote music and gave it to either him or Bruce Dickinson (vocals) to write lyrics; that time, he came into the studio w/ 3 songs w/ music, melodies and lyrics. In the 80's, Iron Maiden were one of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world and were headlining arenas on tour... their 1984/ '85 tour was so extensive that the band was burnt out from touring and took some time off... Their singer Bruce Dickinson proposed that Maiden experiment w/ their sound like Led Zeppelin and wrote some acoustic songs for the next album, but Steve Harris & producer (the late) Martin Birch didn't like them. So, the pressure fell on Steve Harris and Adrian Smith to write songs... Adrian Smith had joined Iron Maiden in 1980, replacing the previous guitarist Dennis Stratton... Smith had spent years playing bars w/ his band Urchin and went nowhere, and finally decided to join his friend Dave Murray (guitar) in Iron Maiden. But after years of touring, the demands were getting to Adrian Smith... he missed his family and friends back home... He eventually married in 1988 and started a family... On tour, it was gig... bus... hotel... rehearse... gig... bus... and months would go by w/ over a hundred shows a year...He clearly had something to say on 'Wasted years'... he also wrote 'Sea of madness'... and 'Stranger in a strange land' for the album 'Somewhere in time'... and the lyrics were about emptiness and despair obviously. On the 1988 tour, Smith was increasingly unhappy in the band and their live performances... Iron Maiden opted to take the year 1989 off to rest. Bruce Dickinson recorded and released his first solo album 'Tattooed millionaire' ... But when the band came together to work on a new album in 1990, Adrian Smith declined to return and quit Iron Maiden (he didn't play music for a while)... Guitarist Janick Gers had recorded Dickinson's solo album and he was hired as the replacement. In 1997, Bruce Dickinson had left Iron Maiden (in 1993) and reconnected w/ Adrian Smith ...they worked together on his 2 solo albums 'Accident of birth' and 'The chemical wedding'... and the 2 performed Iron Maiden songs in concert. In 1999, an offer was made to both Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith to rejoin Iron Maiden (who had been selling poorly w/ singer Blaze Bayley from 1995 to 1998) and they both accepted, making Iron Maiden a 3-guitar band for the first time.

This song instantly became my all-time favorite Iron Maiden song when it was released. And that solo...still gives me goose-bumps, almost 40 years later.

I was a teen when this album was released. I am still a fan almost 40 years later. Up The Irons \m/

My favorite band for over 40 years, I’m 54 and been listening to them since I was 14. Seen them live 11 times.

Run To The Hills, Flight Of Icarus, The Trooper, Prodigal Son, 2 Minutes 2 Midnight, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Number Of The Beast, Killers, Aces High, Rime Of The Ancient Mariner and SO many more it seems the list is endless. There is simply an ocean of great tracks from this band.

Steve Harris(Bass) is the leader of that band. He has been there since the beginning. He also pioneered a bass style that can be described as galloping.

Steve Harris is one of the most underrated bass players ever. He has some of the most iconic licks you have ever heard.

You can not go wrong with Iron Maiden. One of the greatest pioneers of heavy metal.

Your reactions are always great. I've been a Maiden fan for nearly 40 years. Truly one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Up the Irons!

Steve Harris (the bass player) is the reason I started playing bass. He is also the founding member and the main songwriter of Iron Maiden. If you’ve heard a song by them before, listen again and tune into to the bass. He always impresses. I thought they were just some hair metal band before I heard them. They’re not. “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is my favorite song by them.

I saw Maiden during their Powerslave album tour in Chicago in 1984. Incredible concert.

Wasted Years oh you picked a great one!!!

The fact that you paid attention to the bass lines confirms my decision to subscribe. The man is Steve Harris, leader of the band and inspiration to so many bass players, myself included. Great vid.

I can't tell you just how much I love the bassist Steve Harris!!! If you haven't already, 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner' live in Long Beach 1985. Steve Harris' bass playing is GREAT!! And also 'Powerslave'!!!

I saw this tour back in 1987! I’ve seen over 300 rock concerts in my life and Iron Maiden has always been the best live band I’ve ever seen. If you want to do another reaction video do it for the song “The Trooper” 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

The video of this song that was done on German tv back in the 80s (I think 87) was hysterical! They hate lip-syncing and kept switching roles. Changing who was singing, who was playing drums, etc. Excellent!!

Been a fan of these guys since 82. You can't go wrong with them live or studio

One of the greatest songs ever written. Hail to Adrian Smith. Seen them play this live last Friday 👍

This song has always given me goosebumps. Such an underrated metal tune!

Just saw Iron Maiden live in Milan. This is the last song of the concert which is really an event. They are like good wine: getting better with the ageing. Up the Irons! 🤘🏻

Stranger In A Strange Land is one of my favorites and I think one of the best bass sounds from them.

I'm currently reading Bruce Dickenson's autobiography. Interesting guy. This is one of my favorite songs of theirs. The bass lines on this are absolutely smoking.

This song is a jewel of the Iron Maiden catalog. One of the most deep and powerful Maiden songs is "Hallowed be thy Name" without a doubt. Another one in the top spots is "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" , the live versions are also visually amazing.

My brother! You’re not musician but you understand music as if you are! Love every iron maiden single video you react to! ❤ please keep reacting through all their discography

The Trooper is iconic and Hallowed be thy name. Aces high, Rime of the ancient mariner, Powerslave, Flight of Icarus, Where Eagles Dare. Phantom of the opera.

Absolutely my favorite song by them, the music, and the message definitely hits...

This jam by Iron Maiden hits home one multiple levels for me, fits my life perfectly living it , up the Irons ❤

BTW, This is considered as Heavy Metal. Iron Maiden has to be one of my favorite bands growing up and I still love them and there music today at 60 yrs. And this has to be one of my favorite songs of theirs.

This song came out when I was 12(1986). It got me officially hooked on the band back then. Still love all their music.

Probably my all-time favorite Maiden tune! Can't go wrong with Number of the Beast if you haven't checked that one out yet!

I love how these songs are so timeless whereby they pull in a new generation of listeners. 😊

Loved this band since '81 and learned so much from them, this song spoke to me as a (seemingly) troubled youth, can't say it's more meaningful now as once you get the meaning it makes perfect sense, your whole life, it really is a great song and so relatable to anyone; main lead guitarist and primary songwriter for this track is Adrian Smith, the dude is gifted and plays some deliciously good melody's and phrases.

iron Maiden were my first concert when i was 13, this has always been my favorite song of theirs. Love the guitars sound on this one. They are masterful story tellers, and many of their songs are based on history, mythology, or books.

These guys were one of the tightest bands live, and Bruce can still hit most of those notes.

Such a great song. Been a fan since the Live after Death album. Great lyrics.

One of the most beautiful solos ever played

This is probably my favorite Maiden album. I wore the cassette out when it came out. I love all of their music, but this one stands out for me.

This is my favorite Adrian Smith guitar solo. I feel like Adrian really took a giant leap forward as a guitarist on this album

There was a rock n roll magazine in Brazil called Rock Brigade in the 90's. One time, a guy sent a tape to the redaction of the magazine, saying: "I found this tape in the middle of some old stuff at my home, I want to ask if you know who plays this song, because I'm totally crazy in love with it". The magazine answered: "It's Wasted Years, from Iron Maiden". Incredible story, one of my favorites (my cousin had this edition of the magazine).

Rainbows Gold....b side of 2 min. to midnight. maiden was the first concert of my life. 1986. Up The Irons

"Alexander the Great" from the same album (Somewhere in Time) is one of their best tracks.

Maiden are amazing. Been fan since the mid 80's. Great reaction Polo 🤘🤘

Greatest Rock band ever!!!!! Hands down!!!!! Masters of their craft and great lyricist

Polo. This is the world speaking. You have to hear “Rime of the ancient mariner”

Yes! Steve drives most of their tunes, those bass lines are the driving force and foundation of Iron Maiden.

Up there irons! Huge Iron Maiden fan here! It's one of their most radio-friendly song - hence the catchy chorus. Their best songs are: Hallowed Be They Name, The Trooper, Aces High, Where Eagles Dare

Stranger in a Strange Land is one of the best metal songs ever. The main riff, chorus, solos etc are just fantastic. Longest Day is pretty amazing too. Someone did a video with that song and the opening scene of Savung Private Ryan. Very powerful. You can get pretty emotional watching it.

Been a Maiden fan thirty years now. Somewhere in Time was my first vinyl. Always a pleasure seeing people being new to them. They don't tend to write happy songs, but they create music with an energy that you don't get anywhere else, and a range of emotions that you feel in your bones. You liked the cheery rock n roll element here so I'll suggest From Here To Eternity.

You haven't lived until you've seen a giant sized version of their mascot Eddie walk across the stage! That was epic. Many moons ago, idk if they still do that.

It has given me goosebumps hearing this....I bought the LP in '86...haven't listened to that song for 30 years....All the changes, all the pain and loss that life has brought me, recedes. Understood.

Just saw them live past Thursday, 11/07, and they’re closing their concert with this song! And its an amazing closer! Up the Irons!!!

I have been a Maiden fan for 40 years. There isn't another band on the planet that are this skilled and works as hard as Maiden. These guys have throngs of fans all over the world and do their best to go to the most obscure locations to play for their fans. They have achieved this level of popularity with little to no help of mainstream radio. Love these guys. Up the Irons!

Back when I was a kid, I bought my first guitar because of these guys!! Been playing ever since! UP THE IRONS from Phoenix Arizona!!

i AM an older gentlemen, and I have loved Iron Maiden since my teen years. I am now 55 and they are still my number one band.. Up the Irons..

The guy playing guitar Adrian Smith - wrote most of this track. One of the most underrated song writers in rock history.

My first date with my wife was going to see Iron Maiden live in 1986. We met at a country bar. Boy she was shocked. Lol. 🤘🏼🎸🔥

Thanks for the reaction. My all time favorite Iron Maiden song would probably have to be "To Tame A Land". Based on the book "Dune" by Frank Herbert. Followed closely by "Flight of Icarus" and "Still Life". Thanks for the good vibes, and thanks for sharing some of your time with us. 🙂

Iron Maiden- Powerslave Live 666. High energy awesome song great fan participation🔥💯🤘

The song Fear of the dark in Rock in Rio is a must! it's so good and one of the few songs that the live version is better than the studio version.

My favorite Iron Maiden song. So glad you got to this. UP THE IRONS!

Saw them the first time with the original Singer Paul DiAnno and original Drummer Clive Burr open for Judas Priest in 1981 and many times since then over the last several decades. ALWAYS an awesome show.

Iron Maiden's 84/85 World Slavery Tour lasted 331 days, and the band performed 189 gigs. In the video you see a lot of pictures from that Tour, the Wasted Years song is born in that Tour when they were such a long time from home. When you read the lyrics you can feel the homesick they had at that time.

This song epitomizes the entirety of the spirit of Metal... no matter the odds, never give up!

My favorite band and one of my favorite songs! More than that, you are so genuine in your reaction vids. Love you my brother. Keep it up!

Been listening to Maiden since 1982 and have a range of songs that make my regular playlist. Have just got back from seeing them live in Birmingham and even now they are still kicking it. This was played in the setlist, which by my own personal opinion is probably one of the best set lists. Have dropped a subscribe as you seem to be digging it.

"BE YOU, THEY'LL ADJUST" I read that and IMMEDIATELY subscribed because I know YOU got some wisdom to lay down !

When Somewhere in Time came out, It was the first Iron Maiden Album I actually bought due to my brother had the other albums. Wasted Years was and still is my favorite song of Iron Maiden. It was also the first Iron Maiden concert I went to in 87. The tour was somewhere on tour. Great memories of my youth.

First #IRONMAIDEN song 🎵 (and LP) I was introduced to...a fan was born that day! #UpTheIRONS

1986. I was 13 years old. This track, this track! Fav band of all time!!!!!

I saw them as recently as 2019, they are in their 60’s and still tear it up!

@poloreacts - Thanks for treating the soundtrack of my teen years with such great respect.

Thanks for listening to a band that I have loved since I was 12 years old Music is such a personal thing and at the same time it’s a way to connect to others Cheers from oz Subbed

This is my youth, my favorite band, my first love, of heavy metal. Saw them live many times and on this particular album tour, back in 87?

This track and Caught somewhere in time are my favourites from the album. xx

Rock it, Polo. Up the Irons. 46 years young, been a fan since I was 10 (blame my my siblings). I love your the appreciation for them you express.

BEST CONCERT EVER! That's ANY Maiden show, the best EVER!

When you said they're hitting on all cylinders, that good sir, is why I think this song is the best Iron Maiden song showing their best mucianship. Musicianship is a beautiful thing in a band.

I love the way you don't cut it off every 10 seconds for comments ,like others. and,.... you have a cool radio voice, .. Rock ! !!!

Great driving song when a thunderstorms going on outside.A suggestion would be a few Paul D'ianno ones as lead singer.Killers.

This is my favorite metal song to play on my bass. Steve Harris just knows how to weave in and out of the guitar work. He plays with 3 guitarists live on stage.

Nice to see the Iron Maiden reaction. One of my top metal bands.

Hallowed Be Thy Name. Considered one of Iron Maiden’s greatest songs. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

wonderful song. I can recommand the Trooper. Also a very strong song. Good work Polo. Cheers from the Netherlands. Keep it up my friend :))))

Iam 66 ! Those Song helped me from the beginning! Not to see myself as victim of something, I always stood up ❤ ! Beside the song Were Blood Brothers is soooo important in our lives right Now ! ❤

The singer the pilot for the band,he flies a 747 for the band.

A banger! Up the mighty Irons!!!!!

I saw Iron Maiden in 1984 -- great concert

I saw Iron Maiden in 1988 on their Seventh son tour. I was a happy Teenager 😊

Wasted Years is my favorite Maiden song and has been since I was 12. The chorus was even my Senior quote, and my dad thought I made it up and said it was very deep.

This is my favorite song from this group. Just because we all have wasted years!!!!

Adrians smith’s solo is beyond epic in this song. Great reaction

the video is a masterclass in recognizing early maiden tracks from a single picture/frame.

This is definitely one of my go to juke box songs at the local pub!

I am 53 this year. Ion Maiden have been a part of my life of 40 years!!!!!

They still rip playing these somgs live today! These guys are in their mid to late 60's and I think Nick, the drummer is 70! They are still one of the biggest metal bands in the world and are still at the top of their game today!

Good Day to you Polo😊 I stumbled across & joined your channel recently, and love your reactions! I'm 54yo and have been a fan of Maiden since a friend (@ a Catholic school no less) introduced me to NumberOfTheBeast..... How ironic, eh? 🤘 I've attended countless live shows from many bands, and by FAR the best one was on the Powerslave tour I saw in ProvidenceRI at the 'old' CivicCenter. Great performance. Keep doing what you do because it's so genuinely honest👍

Up The Irons. The evolution of Ed and the music is a journey I LOVE to be a part of. Great job Polo keep the metal road.😊

Great choice POLO iron maiden has so many amazing songs. You'll be busy for a while. " Infinit Dreams'' and "Aces high" are some other songs that you'll love. Thank you POLO!