The iconic cover of Somewhere In Time (1986) , created by Derek Riggs , is one of the most creative in Iron Maiden , containing several hidden references to the band's history within the illustration.
In 2018, journalist Dave Basner published an article listing 32 of these "Easter Eggs" that can be found on the cover of Somewhere In Time if you look closely.
Check out the images highlighting these numbered references by Basner, and see 3 more additional references that the Wikimetal found. Enjoy!
References on the cover of 'Somewhere in Time'
01. The street sign bears the name “Acacia” in reference to the song “22 Acacia Avenue” The Number Of The Beast (1982)
02. The poster shows an image of Eddie from the band's debut album with the graffiti " Eddie lives ." Posters like this also appear on the covers of the singles "Sanctuary" and "Women In Uniform."
03. The “Eye of Horus” appears in neon, referencing the lyrics of the song “Powerslave,” which mentions the Egyptian symbol of protection.
04. The trash can on the lamppost is identical to the one that appears on the cover of the Iron Maiden (1980) .
05. The black cat with a halo appears on the back cover of Live After Death (1985) .
06. The word “ Websters ” is a reference to Charlie Webster , the art director at Iron Maiden's record label at the time, EMI .
Derek Riggs ' traditional signature , present in all the albums he illustrated.
References on the back cover:
08. The clock reads 23:58, a reference to the classic Powerslave (1984) , “2 Minutes To Midnight”.
9. The name of the theater appears as Phantom Opera House in reference to the song "Phantom Of The Opera," a track from the first album.
10. Aces High Bar is a reference to "Aces High," the opening track of Powerslave .
11. A Spitfire appears flying above the Aces High bar, precisely the same model that appears on the cover of the "Aces High" single and is mentioned in the song's lyrics.
12. “Sand Dune” refers to the song that closes Piece Of Mind (1983) , “To Tame A Land,” whose lyrics are based on the science fiction novel Dune , Frank Herbert .
13. Pyramids appear on the cover of Powerslave .
14. The silhouette of death with a scythe also appears on the cover of the single "The Trooper" and on the cover of Live After Death .
15. The cinema marquee reads “ Life After Death ”, the name of the 1985 live album. It also says “ Blade Runner ”, which is the inspiration for the cover art of Somewhere In Time . Further up, the cinema's name is “ Philip K. Dick ”, the science fiction author who wrote Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which was the inspiration for the film Blade Runner .
16. The advertisement says "Ancient Mariner Seafood Restaurant," referencing the classic 12-minute "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" from Powerslave .
17. The Ruskin Arms is one of the first places Iron Maiden ever played.
18. The woman in the red-light district is a reference to the prostitute Charlotte , who is the subject of the songs "Charlotte The Harlot" from the debut album, and "22 Acacia Avenue" from the album The Number Of The Beast .
19. Rainbow is another place where Iron Maiden played.
20. “L'Amours Beer Gardens” refers to L'Amour, a concert venue in Brooklyn where Iron Maiden also played.
21. The TARDIS telephone booth from the BBC 's Doctor Who appears here, and the TARDIS control panel had already appeared on the cover of the single "Wasted Years".
22. An Icarus in flames falling from the sky is the cover of the single “Flight Of Icarus” and is present throughout the lyrics of the classic song featured on Piece Of Mind .
23. The football match score shows “West Ham 7 x 3 Arsenal”. Steve Harris is a die-hard West Ham United Football Club .
24. The panel announces “Today: Gypsy's Kiss, ” which is the name of Steve Harris's first band.
25. Long Beach Arena is the venue where the album Live After Death .
26. “Maggie's Revenge” is a reference to the Prime Minister of England at the time, Margaret Thatcher , who appears on the covers of the singles “Sanctuary” and “Women In Uniform”.
27. This design is the same shape as the clasp that holds Eddie's skull on the cover of the album Piece Of Mind and on some later albums.
28. The drawing shows Bruce Dickinson holding a brain, in reference to Piece Of Mind .
29. Nicko McBrain is wearing aviator goggles because he had obtained his pilot's license. He is also wearing a t-shirt sold in the official Iron Maiden store that says " Iron What?"
30. Hammerjacks is the name of Iron Maiden's favorite bar in the USA, located in Baltimore.
31. Tehe's Bar is the location where the choir vocals for the song "Heaven Can Wait" from Somewhere In Time .
32. >Herbert Ails is a reference to Frank Herbert, who wrote Dune Somewhere In Time was released .
In addition to these 32, there are several other hidden references, such as the phrase " is a very boring painting" written backwards on the windows behind Eddie. Derek Riggs took 3 months to complete the drawing and therefore must have included the message.
Another reference is "Upton Park" as a street sign, which is the address of West Ham, Steve Harris's favorite team.
And finally, a figure that some think could be Batman, but which would make more sense as the Phantom of the Opera.
There are also references to Isaac Asimov and other science fiction authors.
READ ALSO: Iron Maiden: 19 hidden references in the music video for “The Writing On The Wall”
