The Trooper

About this song

The song was the second single released from the album Piece of Mind. At the time it was known for its music video, which was banned by MTV and showed scenes from the 1936 Errol Flynn film, in which real horses died. The song has also inspired an Iron Maiden beer.

What it's about

The song tells of the pointless heroism of a British soldier during the Charge of the Light Brigade, a light infantry attack in the Battle of Balaclava in 1854. The event was famously retold in Tennyson's poem.

Summary written with AI, based on the song's page on Genius.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 1 other song, like “Amy Rose by Cacola”.
• Covered 15 times, including “The Trooper by Beyond The Black”.
• Written by Steve Harris.
• Produced by Martin Birch.
• Recorded at Compass Point Studios.