22, Acacia Avenue

[Nick2632]

10/10. Such a great song! Really like the intro on this one, and the bass and drums are phenomenal. A great way to end side 1 of The Beast.

 

[Naty]

10/10! My third favorite on the album. Awesome vocals, solos and bass lines. I wish they would play this song again...

 

[SinisterMinisterX]

9/10. Really well written; the sections complement each other perfectly. Instead of the typical verse-chorus rock song, this one is a roller-coaster.

 

[DJMayes]

7. Overall a pretty good song. One of the few where the lyrics make me slightly cringe though.

Rankings:

Spoiler

Previous Albums:

Spoiler

1980 - Iron Maiden - 6.67

Spoiler

8 - Prowler
6 - Sanctuary
7 - Remember Tomorrow
6 - Running Free
9 - Phantom Of The Opera
7 - Transylvania
4 - Strange World
6 - Charlotte The Harlot
7 - Iron Maiden

1981 - Killers - 5.91

Spoiler

6 - The Ides Of March
6 - Wrathchild
6 - Murders In The Rue Morgue
5 - Another Life
5 - Genghis Khan
5 - Innocent Exile
8 - Killers
5 - Prodigal Son
8 - Purgatory
6 - Twilight Zone
5 - Drifter

1982 - The Number Of The Beast

6 - Invaders
7 - Children Of The Damned
8 - The Prisoner
7 - 22 Acacia Avenue

 

[eddienephwrack]

10. My second favourite on the album, after the mighty Hallowed

 

[Sth2112]

Another awesome rocker. Love the main riff and Bruce's performance. 10/10

 

[MrKnickerbocker]

10/10

22 Acacia Avenue is another Adrian track and it hints at the more progressive nature the band would take on later releases. The riffs are astounding and they change rhythms at the drop of a hat throughout the song. From Clive Burr’s kick drum to Bruce’s frantic snarl, the entire band is in sync throughout the many musical twists and turns. Tom’s notes about the lyrical point-of-view are interesting and prove that the band was starting to put more effort into their lyrics. The bridge is a killer extension of the chorus, leading into a surprisingly calm bluesy solo by Dave. Riffs start churning again and H bursts into a great outro solo that trades licks with Steve’s bass as Charlotte seemingly leaves her life of sleaze...To Be Continued…

 

[Mosh]

Cool song that plays a bit with dynamics. I love Bruce's sinister delivery of the lyrics here. The sections weave in and out seamlessly, another very progressive piece in the vein of Children of the Damned, but with a totally different feel. Again they completely avoid redundancy by moving forward with each section. It keeps the song exciting, it's impossible to get bored when listening to this. As the song gets increasingly heavy, you expect a really intense climax only for Maiden to throw us a curveball with the slow bluesy Dave solo. It's so out of place, yet it works perfectly. Then it's back to the previous chorus where we finally get that climax: a chaotic yet melodic guitar solo by the All Powerful H. The buildup in the rhythm section underneath this solo is almost as good as the solo itself.

10

 

[BeThyJames]

This song has grown on me more than any other in Maiden history. Thought it was daft at first. But I've listened more closely recently and now I adore it.

The lyrics are still a bit simplistic but I see now how they reflect caricatures within the story. And it's clever how the pace changes in the song reflect this.

The riffs are brilliant too with some lovely intricate little runs. I love the rapid chord change to launch the chorus. Then there's the great bluesy solo thrown in which just adds to the complexity of a thrilling song.

9

 

[matic22]

Another amazing song. Well constructed with nice riffs. Davey's solo is also a thing of beauty. It's a shame that this track, COTD and The Prisioner are joined on TNOTB's side 1 with a filler track called Invaders, otherwise this could very well be the best IM side ever.

9/10

 

[Diesel 11]

This song has one of the best openings in Maiden's discography. It runs a little long in the end, but listening to it again I honestly don't have any gripes really with that. A great song about the problems of the prostitution 'business' I guess you call it. 9/10.

 

[Diesel 11]

Disagree.

Don't worry about people disliking this song. They don't. In fact:

T39: 22, Acacia Avenue - The Number of the Beast (Harris, Smith)
Average score: 8.75/10 Deviation: 1.64
The Number of the Beast 6/9
Top 25: 2005, 2006, 2008
Top 50: 2004, 2012, 2016
Top 100: 2011, 2014, 2015

Here's a track with a higher deviation, which has gone from being regarded as a masterpiece to merely being considered very good. Today's generation of Maidenfans doesn't give this track a particularly strong rating, so I think it might slump lower eventually. Often cited as an earlier example of the style that would evolve during the next few years, this one has few who actually hate it.

Choice comments:









Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.92; 28/123
2005: 9.60 +0.68; 17/124 +11
2006: 9.84 +0.24; 19/124 -2
2008: 9.54 -0.30; 21/134 -2
2011: 8.20 +1.34; 59/144 -38
2012: 47/144 +12
2014: 8.33 +0.13; 57/144 -10
2015: 8.39 +0.06; 57/144 NC
2016: 8.47 +0.08; 41/155 +16

Overall

Spoiler

39 - 22, Acacia Avenue (The Number of the Beast)
41 - Brave New World (Brave New World)
41 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier)
43 - The Prisoner (The Number of the Beast)
44 - These Colours Don't Run (A Matter of Life and Death)
45 - Stranger in a Strange Land (Somewhere in Time)
46 - The Legacy (A Matter of Life and Death)
47 - Remember Tomorrow (Iron Maiden)
48 - 2 Minutes to Midnight (Powerslave)
49 - Sea of Madness (Somewhere in Time)
50 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
51 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
52 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
52 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
54 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.46 - These Colours Don't Run (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.62 - Remember Tomorrow (Iron Maiden)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.74 - The Legacy (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - 2 Minutes to Midnight (Powerslave)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.06 - Brave New World (Brave New World)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.10 - Sea of Madness (Somewhere in Time)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.22 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.42 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.48 - The Prisoner (The Number of the Beast)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.64 - 22, Acacia Avenue (The Number of the Beast)
1.64 - Stranger in a Strange Land (Somewhere in Time)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.88 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.08 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 8/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 23
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Somewhere in Time 5/8 Top 10: 1 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 29
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 19
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 21 Top 100: 23
The Final Frontier 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 31
The Book of Souls 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Bombusbombus]

The lyrics sinks this song totally for me, a lot of good musical parts but I usually skip it.

 

[GiovaOfficial]

Much better than Charlotte The Harlot, but I feel it still lacks something, despite having some interesting parts. 7/10

 

[Number 6]

Nice addition to the "Charlotte" saga. A bit inconsistent in tone, which brings its rating down a little, but it's overall an improvement over Davey's original song. An 8 from me.

 

[Desdemona]

Definitely not monotonous and I don't feel it goes on for too long. A bit less cold-hearted than Charlotte The Harlot. 9/10

 

[Stardust]

AWWW YEAH!! This here is my favourite song on the album. It's progressive to a fault, there's no way to ever get bored of the song. Plus, every section meshes so well with each other and every section is so fabulously catchy and superb. The lyrics aren't the best, sure, but the musicality on display from absolutely everyone here is astounding. This is truly where Bruce makes it for me. His vocal delivery here is just perfect.

...wow, I'm running out of things to say and I don't have any bad things to say about this one. It's obviously a 10/10.

 

[Diesel 11]

The "worst" song on TNOTB that isn't "Invaders" or "Gangland" opens with one of the most metal riffs Maiden have ever done. "22 Acacia Avenue" is a really good song with some great lyrics about the prostitution industry and is obviously the best Charlotte song... still, Maiden have done better. 8/10.

 

[Jer]

A basic riff with percussive punctuation underpins a strong verse 1. This cuts into a more uptempo verse 2 with great music but a less successful vocal line.

Another round of verse 1 & 2 gives way to a long pre-chorus with strong uptempo music, but some really sloppy and unappealing vocals. Thankfully this breaks into a pretty good chorus. Another round of mixed-bag pre-chorus and better chorus, and we get a pretty good percussive bridge with stronger vocals.

An extended interlude with an excellent melodic lead follows, building back up into the pre-chorus. Nice interplay between the bass and guitar here. This eventually kicks into a great solo with nice harmonized sections that carries us to a couple of short breakdowns to close things out.

The music here is all great, but it's surprisingly the weaker vocal sections that drag this one down in the end. Gotta round it down to 7/10.

 

[KidInTheDark666]

Great song. Very good verses. It could have been a bit shorter. 8