Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is the seventh studio album, released on April 11, 1988, in the UK by EMI Records and in the US by Capitol Records and it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. The lead single, Can I Play with Madness, achieved notable success, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart.
This album is a concept piece inspired by the novel Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card, incorporating progressive rock elements, particularly evident in the length and intricate structure of the title track. Bassist Steve Harris conceived the album's theme after reading Orson Scott Card's novel. He initially struggled to find a title and concept for the album but was inspired by the story of a mystical seventh son believed to possess supernatural abilities.
The record and the ensuing tour signified the end of Adrian Smith's initial tenure with Iron Maiden, as he left during the pre-production phases of the next album, expressing disappointment with the band's evolving direction.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Moonchild | Smith, Dickinson | 5:38 |
| 2. | Infinite Dreams | Harris | 6:08 |
| 3. | Can I Play with Madness | Smith, Dickinson, Harris | 3:30 |
| 4. | The Evil That Men Do | Smith, Dickinson, Harris | 4:33 |
Total length: 22:57
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | Seventh Son of a Seventh Son | Harris | 9:52 |
| 6. | The Prophecy | Murray, Harris | 5:04 |
| 7. | The Clairvoyant | Harris | 4:26 |
| 8. | Only the Good Die Young | Harris, Dickinson | 4:40 |
Total length: 20:54
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Black Bart Blues | Harris, Dickinson | 6:43 |
| 2. | Massacre (Thin Lizzy cover) | Phil Lynott, Scott Gorham, Brian Downey | 2:52 |
| 3. | Prowler '88 | Harris | 4:07 |
| 4. | Charlotte the Harlot '88 | Murray | 4:11 |
| 5. | Infinite Dreams (live) | Harris | 6:03 |
| 6. | The Clairvoyant (live) | Harris | 4:27 |
| 7. | The Prisoner (live) | Smith, Harris | 6:09 |
| 8. | Killers (live) | Harris, Di'Anno | 5:03 |
| 9. | Still Life (live) | Murray, Harris | 4:39 |
Total length: 44:14
Bruce Dickinson – vocals
Dave Murray – guitars
Adrian Smith – guitars
Steve Harris – bass
Nicko McBrain – drums
