Bayley tells Songfacts: "One of the sadnesses of my life, a twinge of sadness, is I was working on lyrics and melodies for a third Iron Maiden album when they fired me. A lot of ideas I'd already got on my dictaphone, or got lyrics sketched out. Then I didn't get the chance to work with the guys."

But he says he's a more confident writer after working with mainman Steve Harris. "I've learned about how to get that idea from your mind into the recording and into the arrangement. Before it would be very hit and miss. Working with Steve and seeing the way he puts things together really helped."