Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
- Thread starter Forostar
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Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
Some might dock Sign of the Cross points for following the template of 7th Son. I say it’s a better song — better melodies, more emotional feel. Love the slow build and the plodding, unstoppably bleak feel of the intro and the verses. Good chorus too, but I disagree with you on the instrumental portion. In my view, this is where this song shines most. And that's probably why it comes in more than 30 places higher on my list — 15th to be exact.
Some might dock Sign of the Cross points for following the template of 7th Son. I say it’s a better song — better melodies, more emotional feel. Love the slow build and the plodding, unstoppably bleak feel of the intro and the verses. Good chorus too, but I disagree with you on the instrumental portion. In my view, this is where this song shines most. And that's probably why it comes in more than 30 places higher on my list — 15th to be exact.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
No. 48 - Childhood's End
(Harris, 1992 -> on stage-status: never played)
The one but best track of Fear of the Dark's A side. There's some fine guitar work on it. Not only lead, I also dig the playing and sound of the rhythm guitars in the couplets. The atmosphere is enriched with the perfectly fitting keyboards. The chorus is a bit of an experiment with that fast bass riff and drum accompaniment, but it works fine.
The solo is a very special one in the catalogue: Dave and Janick tried to fool the listener.
At first, it sounds like one solo by one person, but in fact Janick starts and Dave takes over fluently (and not at a typical moment) and ends it.
This puzzled me for years but after reading an interview about this with Bruce I finally could analyze it well.
The "switch" takes place at around 3:04/3:05 in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8-eeQBiRac
No. 47 - That Girl
(Barnett/Goldsworth/Jupp, 1986 -> on stage-status: never played, at least not by Maiden, hehe)
There's a special vibe in this song. It's not heavy, but at least not Bryan Adamish or Bon Jovish (as opposed to Reach Out!).
Probably still my favourite B-side in the catalogue. Even though the song wasn't written by Maiden, it's still in Maiden's discography, thus a Maiden song which can be selected for my top 50.
The guitar harmonies, the guitar synth and the melancholic feel really grabbed me the first time I heard it (20 years ago) and I still think it hasn't lost much of it's glory. Beautiful solo by Dave and Bruce's last vocal is really excellent!
Check here the FM version (cool solo).
No. 48 - Childhood's End
(Harris, 1992 -> on stage-status: never played)
The one but best track of Fear of the Dark's A side. There's some fine guitar work on it. Not only lead, I also dig the playing and sound of the rhythm guitars in the couplets. The atmosphere is enriched with the perfectly fitting keyboards. The chorus is a bit of an experiment with that fast bass riff and drum accompaniment, but it works fine.
The solo is a very special one in the catalogue: Dave and Janick tried to fool the listener.
At first, it sounds like one solo by one person, but in fact Janick starts and Dave takes over fluently (and not at a typical moment) and ends it.
This puzzled me for years but after reading an interview about this with Bruce I finally could analyze it well.
The "switch" takes place at around 3:04/3:05 in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8-eeQBiRac
No. 47 - That Girl
(Barnett/Goldsworth/Jupp, 1986 -> on stage-status: never played, at least not by Maiden, hehe)
There's a special vibe in this song. It's not heavy, but at least not Bryan Adamish or Bon Jovish (as opposed to Reach Out!).
Probably still my favourite B-side in the catalogue. Even though the song wasn't written by Maiden, it's still in Maiden's discography, thus a Maiden song which can be selected for my top 50.
The guitar harmonies, the guitar synth and the melancholic feel really grabbed me the first time I heard it (20 years ago) and I still think it hasn't lost much of it's glory. Beautiful solo by Dave and Bruce's last vocal is really excellent!
Check here the FM version (cool solo).
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
Here it is. The Maiden version (B-side of Stranger in a Strange Land-single):
http://youtu.be/EaB40yQKpiY
Here it is. The Maiden version (B-side of Stranger in a Strange Land-single):
http://youtu.be/EaB40yQKpiY
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
After you finish that song, listen to Reach Out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e275RzmQekA
IMO That's the only Maiden B-side song that's better than That Girl. Btw. Adrian Smith is singing on Reach Out
After you finish that song, listen to Reach Out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e275RzmQekA
IMO That's the only Maiden B-side song that's better than That Girl. Btw. Adrian Smith is singing on Reach Out
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
Sorry for hijacking your thread Foro, I'll finish with this
If you like Adrian's vocals - he released one album with a band called A.S.A.P. - and sang all vocals on it. Some songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljMCnBGTj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk_LfhPhmS4
On topic: I'm not really a big fan of any of these songs on the list so far, but I like your reviews so I'll keep following
Sorry for hijacking your thread Foro, I'll finish with this
If you like Adrian's vocals - he released one album with a band called A.S.A.P. - and sang all vocals on it. Some songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljMCnBGTj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk_LfhPhmS4
On topic: I'm not really a big fan of any of these songs on the list so far, but I like your reviews so I'll keep following
Tron
Trooper
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
Childhoods end, another bloody good song and again a similar distance ahead of where i put it
should be here tomorrow god willing.
Adrians got a surprising voice, i think he should share vocals with bruce studio side personally. It would add depth (as long as steve didnt get involved
)
Childhoods end, another bloody good song and again a similar distance ahead of where i put it
bought itNight Prowler said:
should be here tomorrow god willing. Adrians got a surprising voice, i think he should share vocals with bruce studio side personally. It would add depth (as long as steve didnt get involved
)
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
That Girl
Now there's a pleasant little surprise.
Just a nice little understated mid-tempo composition with, as you say, cool guitar harmonies and a nice melancholic feel.
I only ranked album tracks, so I don't have a place for this.
From non-album tracks, it gets beat only by Virus. Right there with Cross Eyed Mary in the elite group.
It's probably a low eight, high seven by Maiden standards, so in the 60 to 100 range. That's the area I find hardest to rank.
Childhood's End is 90th — definitely lower than I would have predicted before I did my rankings, because its always been a FotD dark horse favourite for me.
Guess it's more of reflection of how strong the catalogue is than the calibre of this track. Not much to choose between it and songs I have ranked 20 places higher.
A tasteful vintage Maiden intro followed by those unexpected and delicious rolling drums sets the stage for what I’ve always considered a rather elegant song, despite the fact it is correctly classified as a rocker. The lyrics are in line with the bittersweet music, but too superficial to match the pathos. High on style, a little lacking in substance.
That Girl
Now there's a pleasant little surprise.
Just a nice little understated mid-tempo composition with, as you say, cool guitar harmonies and a nice melancholic feel.
I only ranked album tracks, so I don't have a place for this.
From non-album tracks, it gets beat only by Virus. Right there with Cross Eyed Mary in the elite group.
It's probably a low eight, high seven by Maiden standards, so in the 60 to 100 range. That's the area I find hardest to rank.
Childhood's End is 90th — definitely lower than I would have predicted before I did my rankings, because its always been a FotD dark horse favourite for me.
Guess it's more of reflection of how strong the catalogue is than the calibre of this track. Not much to choose between it and songs I have ranked 20 places higher.
A tasteful vintage Maiden intro followed by those unexpected and delicious rolling drums sets the stage for what I’ve always considered a rather elegant song, despite the fact it is correctly classified as a rocker. The lyrics are in line with the bittersweet music, but too superficial to match the pathos. High on style, a little lacking in substance.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
It's pretty impossible for me I am afraid. The differences would be immensely small.
I hold the nineties (especially the first three albums) higher in regard than most others so you'll surely see some more picks from this era, in my top 50.
No. 46 - Remember Tomorrow
(Harris/Di'Anno, 1980 -> on stage-status: last time in 2005)
A special song. Impressive atmosphere.
The calm music itself gives me the idea of journeying with a mysterious traveller, going towards an unknown destination. As soon as the bass intro starts, the traveller begins to walk, and I follow.
I really like Paul's performance, one of his best. The rather long intense midpart presents a sort of tension, hardly to be found on Killers.
mckindog said:
It's pretty impossible for me I am afraid. The differences would be immensely small.
mckindog said:
I hold the nineties (especially the first three albums) higher in regard than most others so you'll surely see some more picks from this era, in my top 50.
Yes, The Lion!Night Prowler said:
No. 46 - Remember Tomorrow
(Harris/Di'Anno, 1980 -> on stage-status: last time in 2005)
A special song. Impressive atmosphere.
The calm music itself gives me the idea of journeying with a mysterious traveller, going towards an unknown destination. As soon as the bass intro starts, the traveller begins to walk, and I follow.
I really like Paul's performance, one of his best. The rather long intense midpart presents a sort of tension, hardly to be found on Killers.
Yax
Ancient Mariner
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
Both in live shows and in the studio. I especially feel that Hallowed Be Thy Name live could benefit from some flute (Janick plays H's solo, right?).
I can't wait for an epic, ultrafast flute-solo.Tron said:Janick with a flute could work
And nicko could grab an Oboe
Both in live shows and in the studio. I especially feel that Hallowed Be Thy Name live could benefit from some flute (Janick plays H's solo, right?).
Re: Forostar's Top 50 Iron Maiden songs
Took me years to get it, but one of the better songs on the album.
Love the atmosphere and the dynamics of the composition.
Along with Phantom it's one of two debut tracks that really showed what the band might be capable of.
Where I differ from you is I don't think this one elevates to the special level.
And while I like Paul's voice on it, seeing Bruce perform the song showed me how good it could have been.
88th overall for me. Like Childhood, it could easily move up 20 places.
...and Steve Harris could play the lute. Wearing a big floppy hat with a feather in it. And pantaloons.
Took me years to get it, but one of the better songs on the album.
Love the atmosphere and the dynamics of the composition.
Along with Phantom it's one of two debut tracks that really showed what the band might be capable of.
Where I differ from you is I don't think this one elevates to the special level.
And while I like Paul's voice on it, seeing Bruce perform the song showed me how good it could have been.
88th overall for me. Like Childhood, it could easily move up 20 places.
...and Steve Harris could play the lute. Wearing a big floppy hat with a feather in it. And pantaloons.