That is how this song started when Focus wrote it to begin with. Thijs van Leer (keyboard / flute / vocals for Focus) explains in an interview that the group was practicing and screwing around, Akkerman came out with that kick ass guitar riff, the rest of the group jumped in, pretty much just having some fun with it, and next thing they knew the song Hocus Pocus was born.
@@pateris This is the interview, it is in Dutch with English subtitles since they are / were a Dutch band. ruclips.net/video/nDPlwhqowHI/видео.htmlsi=1eiTChfyOhjFJi10
WOW.....I wish I could be in the studio when the guys are jamming like this....just to see their facial expressions and listen to Nicko singing, that would really be a total blast !!!!
I love all the bands mentioned. I'm a metalhead and a proghead. DT, Maiden, Purple, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Floyd, Yes, ELP, Tull, Rush, love all that stuff (yes, Focus, too!). This was a great cover of a great progressive rock song by another great band
This cover is both musically brilliant and also deliberately tongue in cheek- it's great- it honours the original whilst doing something quirky and British with it - also the original had a great deal of fun in it anyway and wasn't taking itself too seriously
@@EricRumplestiltskin Akkerman ruled. Not Hendrix , not Clapton. Listen to Dark Rose from Brainbox with Jan. Or Russian Spy And I by The Hunters with Jan Akkerman. I know . i'm a chauvinist.
It's clear why this was just slapped as an extra on some DVD single. It's just them having fun with an excellent rock song, they grew up listening. This cover version wasn't meant to be taken seriously.
This song is from 1971 or 72 and is by the Dutch group, Focus. It was very successful at the time and is instrumental, it doesn't have and never had lyrics.
Go watch the 1973 NBC Midnight Special video on here by the original band and then compare it to this version - this one plods along at metal pace, the original really rocks!
Holy shit that's awesome, I didn't know they covered this. Hocus Pocus is a great experimental rock song and with Maiden covering it, you can't go wrong. Mega-huge thumbs up!
The song was originally written as Focus really just having some fun with music wrapped around that kick ass guitar Riff..... it never really was meant to be a serious song and watching any of the numerous recordings of Focus performing it live shows that they are just having fun with it. ruclips.net/video/nDPlwhqowHI/видео.html
@musickkelly - I love Maiden, but you're right on. Focus really had something with Hocus Pocus, and if you listen to A LOT of their recorded live performances of the song, sometimes the more they're into the performance, the faster they play the song and the more Akkerman biffs and rolls through them with some random improvisational licks.
One of the most overlooked GREAT guitar players. It's unreal that he never seems to get mentioned. I'm not a fan of the shredding, but Jan Akkerman was a brilliant Jazz player too.
It is a shame that Akkerman, Zappa, and Les Claypool never had the opportunity to get together. Some of the stuff that would come out of a few of those sessions......
@TheDexp - This is exactly the type of thing Maiden would come up with. They weren't being crap, they're well known for their sense of humour - especially where Nicko is concerned.
There is a cover band out of Vegas called the Yellow Brick Road Band or YBR band that does an AMAZING cover of this song, and yes, the singer does the yodeling live.
Oh, but it is! This was an included track on their Different World single (You can really tell though at the first break where the song would normally have yodeling, instead we get Nicko rambling is awesome gibberish)
This is fukkin epic, Nicko is such a legend! Oh and everyone bitchin' stop, this obviously wasn't a serious attempt at covering the song, just a bit of fun! GOSH!
i like how people are complaining about this being crap, shit, garbage or whatever and also saying focus or Helloween did it better. This was just a jam in the studio though, they did it for fun. I quite enjoy this song. it may not do the original by focus justice. but they werent trying to do that, they were just having fun.
This was in the suggested videos for the original, and i wanted to see how other bands did the whole yodeling bit, so i'm a little disappointed that they didnt do it
@PeterLaman thats cuz its a cover. there not sapose to play it exactly like focus. there sapose to add there own little style to it... other wise what would be the point of a cover. BUT i do miss the yodeling.. no one could do what focus does best...
for people who say this is crap, ''this is just Iron Maiden having fun in the studio so,''
That is how this song started when Focus wrote it to begin with. Thijs van Leer (keyboard / flute / vocals for Focus) explains in an interview that the group was practicing and screwing around, Akkerman came out with that kick ass guitar riff, the rest of the group jumped in, pretty much just having some fun with it, and next thing they knew the song Hocus Pocus was born.
Some people wouldn t believe how hard that riff actually is
@@Terpe75 Gee, I didn't know that. Thank you mate !
@@pateris This is the interview, it is in Dutch with English subtitles since they are / were a Dutch band.
ruclips.net/video/nDPlwhqowHI/видео.htmlsi=1eiTChfyOhjFJi10
One of my favourite songs played by one of my favourite bands... AWESOME!
LOL - funniest METAL cover of the classic. Well done Maidens, well done!
HUMOUR.......the thrill, raw approach only Maiden brings, on or off stage !!
love this, they have captured the moment, the humour, total blast. its only rocknroll
Take a piss at Jan Akkerman? No its taking a piss at Thijs van Leer.
I for one, love this cover. It's just them having fun with a song they love, nothing more.
WOW.....I wish I could be in the studio when the guys are jamming like this....just to see their facial expressions and listen to Nicko singing, that would really be a total blast !!!!
I love all the bands mentioned. I'm a metalhead and a proghead. DT, Maiden, Purple, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Floyd, Yes, ELP, Tull, Rush, love all that stuff (yes, Focus, too!). This was a great cover of a great progressive rock song by another great band
The Helloween version though, that one is PEAK.
Excellent tribute to the Dutch supergroup Focus !!!
It might be a just a jam session but this track has one of the greatest riffs and the guitar work is superb.
What a great cover by Maiden, love Nicko Mcbrians vocals, seriously pissed myself laughing
Sounded Great! I remember when this song came out, it was ahead of its time back then!
Yes, it sure was ahead of it's time.
I honestly thought this was gonna be clickbait or something. I can’t believe they actually did this song, haha.
This cover is both musically brilliant and also deliberately tongue in cheek- it's great- it honours the original whilst doing something quirky and British with it - also the original had a great deal of fun in it anyway and wasn't taking itself too seriously
Its just a cover, the original is unique.
agreed
Both this and the original version have energy that could power a city
Guys, please. It's just a tribute from one of the greatest bands to one of the greatest songs. I like it.
why did they put Homer Simpson for the vocal parts?
Because Homer Simpson ROCKS
Dont you know Nico Mcbrain is Homer’s voice?
Scratch tracks
Lmfao 😂
This just shows me what a great sense of musical humour this band has...
HOLY SHIT!!!! I never knew Iron Maiden covered this song by Focus. This is FUCKING GREAT!!!!!!
Maiden,paying their respects.
cool that Maiden did this; i saw Maiden in 1984 and they where awesome respect for these cool dudes
Arrepiado eu estou e emocionado também!! Que coisa sensacional !! Rock and Roll Progressivo mostrado de forma Heavy Metal !! Amei !!!
YES! Akkerman was INSANE on the guitar!
Yes he was
@@EricRumplestiltskin Akkerman ruled.
Not Hendrix , not Clapton.
Listen to Dark Rose from Brainbox with Jan.
Or Russian Spy And I by The Hunters with Jan Akkerman.
I know . i'm a chauvinist.
@takker9705 In my music groups, I mention him as the very first shredder on many occasions
Iron Maiden - Hocus Pocus !!!!!!!!
Thanks for posting,
lethemania
It's clear why this was just slapped as an extra on some DVD single. It's just them having fun with an excellent rock song, they grew up listening. This cover version wasn't meant to be taken seriously.
what's wrong with you guys? This is an awesome cover. I always knew Maiden were progheads at heart. Steven cites Yes, Rush, and Tull as influences.
Listen to theit cover of. Jethro Tulls " Cross Eyed Mary" that's a real cover vand it's amazing.
And also old Genesis.
an epic song covered by an epic band. I love it.
Thx for putting that up . . love this version!
Nicko McBrain is the best singer!
Did Nicko sing on this one?
😂
@@JossFromAnarchy 3:38 и 4:28 и 5:26
La original no se puede igualar,pero es una poderosa y metalera version .
Why does nobody get it..... Its not suposed to be better! its just a Jam in the Studio ffs
*****
Bruce doesnt even sings here, its fucking Niko taking a piss at vocals -_-
It's still retarded
exactly ~! played this in several bands onstage and everyone loved it
it's a jam for fun. nothing more.
Ya gotta do the singing part...this sucks!
its a cover from Focus. a pretty bad one indeed, thats why people dont like it very much
DAMNNNNN!!! GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great cover!
I love this Cover!
a very good cover. the original song by Focus with Jan Akkerman. made in Holland.
Totally AWESOME.....BRILLIANT, NO lyrics needed..........
This song is from 1971 or 72 and is by the Dutch group, Focus. It was very successful at the time and is instrumental, it doesn't have and never had lyrics.
The uncoverable song. Focus are still touring the original.
Go watch the 1973 NBC Midnight Special video on here by the original band and then compare it to this version - this one plods along at metal pace, the original really rocks!
Excelente cover.... muy muy buen cover
Iron Maiden - "Hocus Pocus" :)
Holy shit that's awesome, I didn't know they covered this. Hocus Pocus is a great experimental rock song and with Maiden covering it, you can't go wrong. Mega-huge thumbs up!
Did we hear the same thing?
@@bryanb8366 Bruh, I left that comment 11 years ago, I was probably drunk or high or both. Listening to it again, it's not the worst thing. 😄
Nicko McBrain is a national treasure!
He is THE national treasure
...My Dad Had This On a K-Tel 8-Track "22 Fantastic Hits",The Yodeling part reminded me of Chief Dan George on the BeachCombers!!!
Hocus Pocus has such an extensive catalog..... Crazy Maiden chose this song to cover in the studio.
DE TODAS LAS VERSIONES,ESTA DE IRON MIDEN,Y LA ORIGINAL,SON LAS MEJORES.MUY BUENO¡¡¡¡
La de helloween es mejor que esta
Excellent Cover.
I am a Focus fan and this is good.
Ahhhh! The McBrain humour in all it's splendor!
Es una excelente versión del tema de Focus.-
This is awesome, just Maiden having some fun. It wasn't meant to be a serious recording, just jamming out to a fun tune.
The song was originally written as Focus really just having some fun with music wrapped around that kick ass guitar Riff..... it never really was meant to be a serious song and watching any of the numerous recordings of Focus performing it live shows that they are just having fun with it.
ruclips.net/video/nDPlwhqowHI/видео.html
Freaking awesome cover. This song is already a jam masterpiece and Bruce and the boys just took it to another level.
Right!
@musickkelly - I love Maiden, but you're right on. Focus really had something with Hocus Pocus, and if you listen to A LOT of their recorded live performances of the song, sometimes the more they're into the performance, the faster they play the song and the more Akkerman biffs and rolls through them with some random improvisational licks.
MY FUCKING GOD THIS IS THE MOST AWESOME THING I'VE EVER HEARD!! Gotta love Nicko... :D
Chill out, it's a bit of fun.......
a lot of you guys don´t know what "cover-version" means, right?! this one is a cover and it´s great, too!
excelente versión !!!!
Excellent version!
abgefahren!!!, bin schon vor 30 jahren auf die focus-version abgefahren, aber diese ist auch geilo!!!
I've always played the correct alternate D and C maj7 chord change :) ... have always liked this tune !
Agreed! They're obviously having a great time just goofin'..Do I love you more than you love me? Great!! :):)
People calling this a joke don’t listen to the original song enough. It’s just a song where they had fun making it.
Great job Nicko!
Muito bom - Very Good
Jan Akkerman out shredded these guys 35 years earlier.
Thank god I wasn't the only one thinking that...
One of the most overlooked GREAT guitar players. It's unreal that he never seems to get mentioned. I'm not a fan of the shredding, but Jan Akkerman was a brilliant Jazz player too.
It is a shame that Akkerman, Zappa, and Les Claypool never had the opportunity to get together. Some of the stuff that would come out of a few of those sessions......
Maiden Kicked ass with this song.
Beautiful cover of Iron Maiden of de Focu's song.-
@TheDexp - This is exactly the type of thing Maiden would come up with. They weren't being crap, they're well known for their sense of humour - especially where Nicko is concerned.
Originally from Hocus Pocus 1972
Ha ha ha haaaaaaa!!! Nicko is SOOOOOOO FUNNNNNYYYYYYY!!!! :)
Sure it is ! You can recognize them during solos ( 1st is Adrian, 2nd is Janick and 3rd is Dave !)
This kicks ass!!
It's brilliant
There is a cover band out of Vegas called the Yellow Brick Road Band or YBR band that does an AMAZING cover of this song, and yes, the singer does the yodeling live.
Seriously funny cover, love it!
Nada melhor que o original. Iron maiden ficou devendo nessa.
espectáculo!
Maiden play Maiden. Let that be. It´s another class. You´ll never reach Focus!
I think it's great this version, i like it
Hit it, Nicko!!
Oh, but it is! This was an included track on their Different World single (You can really tell though at the first break where the song would normally have yodeling, instead we get Nicko rambling is awesome gibberish)
Awesome!
This is great
This is fukkin epic, Nicko is such a legend! Oh and everyone bitchin' stop, this obviously wasn't a serious attempt at covering the song, just a bit of fun! GOSH!
It doesn't matter, awesome Jam
i like how people are complaining about this being crap, shit, garbage or whatever and also saying focus or Helloween did it better. This was just a jam in the studio though, they did it for fun. I quite enjoy this song. it may not do the original by focus justice. but they werent trying to do that, they were just having fun.
SENSATIONAL!!!!!!!!
Nicko is just hilarious xD
LOL!Crazy song,friggin' Nicko!
Y'all need to check out the Gary Hoey version and Helloween covers it as well! One of my top 10 all time favorite songs!
Good cover from Focus!!!!
Nice cover of the song by Focus (the original Amsterdam band).
I love the original but also love IM's version.
great cover !
Very cool!
@mich19ael - double fail :
• The german Power Metal band is Helloween, and not halloween.
• The original track comes from Focus, not Helloween.
This was in the suggested videos for the original, and i wanted to see how other bands did the whole yodeling bit, so i'm a little disappointed that they didnt do it
OHHHH NICKO!! :D
I listened to it, but still, can't beat Nicko :)
They've inserted what the original lacks....energy!
\m/ Maiden rules \m/
I wouldn't say it lacks energy lol
What the fuck? Lack of energy? Haha
Did you saw them live doing this song? Have more energy than a train station!
This is lethargic versus the original.
found this in my parents closet, steamed it open played it to death, put back. smiled at xms,never got caught.
@PeterLaman thats cuz its a cover. there not sapose to play it exactly like focus. there sapose to add there own little style to it... other wise what would be the point of a cover.
BUT i do miss the yodeling.. no one could do what focus does best...
Great drumming
Klasse Version!!!!