Today Iron Maiden’s mega hit song The Number Of The Beast turns 42-years-old. It was April 26th 1982 when the song, which marked the band’s seventh single, was released, about a month after the album of the same name.

Bassist Steve Harris wrote the song, which was inspired by a.nightmare he experienced after watching the horror film Damien: Omen II and also by the Robert Burns’ poem Tam o’Shanter.

The Number Of The Beast caused an outrage, specifically by religious groups throughout the states who accused the song of promoting Satanic practices. Iron Maiden faced many protests during their 1982 tour as well as ceremonial burnings of the band’s albums. The protesters’ plans actually backfired because Iron Maiden gained more press than ever that attracted in a whole new mass of fans.

Today, The Number of the Beast remains one of Iron Maiden’s most popular and recognizable songs of their entire discography.

Watch Iron Maiden’s official music video for The Number Of The Beast here: