Running Free' was Maiden's first single, and is still a Maiden classic and one of their most memorable songs. It is a very simple song by Maiden standards, with a repetitive tune and chorus, but it still manages to convey some energy. 'Running Free' is a much better song when played live, and indeed it has been a concert staple over the years. Despite all that, this song is far from being one of the best on this album it's just a bit too simple and repetitive to make it a really good Maiden composition. Early versions of this song had a guitar solo by Dave Murray, but for some reason the solo was dropped before the album was released. That's a shame because the solo added an interesting spark of energy that now seems to be lacking.

The story is basically that of a runaway American teenager who hitch-hikes his way through the country in pursuit of fun (this could happen in any other country). It is not clear why he spends a night in a Los Angeles jail (maybe just for the rime!), although one may suspect that the vagrancy laws of California are somewhat tougher than those in Britain . Nevertheless, he successfully manages to pick up a girl at some bar called The Bottle Top, which has probably angered the "natives", as "all the boys are after [him]". He doesn't seem to mind, but on the opposite seems to enjoy it. There are some wild youths who like to live dangerously!

Paul Di'Anno was asked what 'Running free was about by Shan Siva, of battlehelm.com, and here's his answer:

"'Running Free' is about me as a kid. My mum ruled my life, but she said to me, You live in a shit area, but do what you can do and see what happens... As long as you dont hurt anybody, just get on with it. But I did get into trouble with the law a few times and thats the only thing I wish I could change... The grief I gave my poor mama. I never really knew my real dad, but my step dad was really cool. Sometimes, hed surprise us and walk in when we were doing some speed, but hed just brush it off as long as it wasnt heroin or the hard shit. I dont have the same attitude with my kids, though if I catch 'em with anything Ill kick the crap outta them."

Yet another interesting story by master story-teller Paul Di'Anno. Is there any truth in this? Probably.