The Official Maidenfans.com Rankings results (2004-2016)

[LooseCannon]

78: The Educated Fool - Virtual XI (Harris)
Average score: 8.01/10 Deviation: 3.26
Virtual XI 7/8
Top 25: 2006
Top 50: 2004, 2005, 2008
Top 100: 2011, 2014, 2015

Like many songs off Virtual XI, the penultimate song from this album has a massive deviation. This song is our first to get a Top 25 award, received in 2006 when this song scored at 16th best among all Iron Maiden tracks. Since then it has become the poster child for Blaze Regression Syndrome, falling to 127th in the most recent poll. Still, The Educated Fool's massive early performance keeps it thrust up the rankings, sitting comfortably at 78th, although it seems likely that it will slump over the next decade. This was once considered a hidden gem; many now consider it just thankfully hidden. I'm not sure myself where it belongs, but it certainly deserves both controversy and the rank it has achieved.

Choice comments:

I don't really get how the song title relates to the lyrics, but that doesn't matter too much as the lyrics are quite interesting insofar that they raise some pretty interesting questions about life and what will happen after one has died. Musicwise the song is pretty average.

Really good song - great riff, and a very enjoyable instrumental bit. One of the best songs on the album

My favorite off VXI. I love every element of it, and I think Blaze sounds great. Unfortunately Nicko's drumming is boring here.

My pick for one of the band’s most underappreciated tracks. I just love the melodies and the way each section moves into the next. Blaze sounds great — he’s way better on these more pensive tracks — and the instrumental mid-section is special. The lyrics are the next step past the themes from the X Factor and probably resonate pretty well with most of us middle-aged guys.

Would be perfect score if it didn't end that way, just coming back again to prechorus/chorus, etc..
What i've always imagined - after the final instrumental part, song continues in high pace into chorus (so chorus is 2x tempo), and just ends with intro melody.

One of my absolute favourite Maiden songs, beautiful instrumentation and meaningful lyrics. Blaze shines on this one, as does the rest of the band.

Not bad, but I can't feel the emotions in this one. The verse is kind of boring. The riff on the pre chorus is cool thou and so are the vocal layers on the chorus. But as a whole I can't really feel the song as I could with many other songs on the album.

I don't want to penalize this track. There's a ton to love. And when I was younger I liked it more. But it is missing a spark, a certain je ne sais quois, and it has been almost a decade since I sought it out on my own to consider.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.66; 39/123
2005: 9.44 +0.78; 26/124 +13
2006: 9.86 +0.42; 16/124 +10
2008: 9.36 -0.50; 32/134 -16
2011: 7.52 -1.84; 86/144 -54
2012: 112/144 -26
2014: 7.55 +0.03; 92/144 +20
2015: 7.53 -0.02; 97/144 -5
2016: 6.60 -0.93; 127/155 -30

Overall

Spoiler

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)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
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)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
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)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
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)
1.94 - 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)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
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)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
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 - 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 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 24
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 32
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 5/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4

 

[Mosh]

Honesty Futureal has aged really poorly imo. I definitely see it slipping in the future, while other songs from the same album may become more popular.

 

[JudasMyGuide]

I still think Futureal is pretty awesome, but Educated Fool has dropped really, really low for me in the past few years.

 

[The Flash]

Never liked Educated Fool. I'd much rather listen to Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger or When Two Worlds Collide.

Never understood the fuss about Futureal either. It sounds like a run of the mill fast paced Maiden rocker to me.

 

[Srogyy]

I don't have anything against The Educated Fool, but it landed way too high.

 

[Magnus]

This was once considered a hidden gem; many now consider it just thankfully hidden.

 

[LooseCannon]

77: Tears of a Clown - The Book of Souls (Smith, Harris)
Average score: 8.04/10 Deviation: n/a
The Book of Souls 6/11
Top 100: 2016

We return to The Book of Souls for this song, which came in at 62nd in its single yearly ranking so far. With this, over half of the songs from the most recent album have now been listed. Famously, this song is inspired by the suicides of several comics, including Robin Williams, and seems to strive to explain what it's like to be forced to entertain while, in reality, you're hurting inside in ways that most cannot comprehend. The lyrics evoke this so strongly you have to wonder if Steve Harris doesn't have some personal experience with this issue. Several comparisons to Bruce's solo stuff, and I think that's probably because Adrian wrote this song with that style in mind. Lots of really positive feelings towards the solos. This song is one that most people like, and nobody seems to hate much. I suspect it will inch up the rankings slightly, but probably not get much higher.

Now's a good place to point out that 8.00-8.49 is the "really good" range, and after that we enter the "great" zone. These commentaries are going to become less and less focused on changes in opinions, and I expect to see fewer big swings, as any songs with big swings are likelier to be lower in the rankings than higher.

Choice comments:

Wow. I adore it! Love the odd-metered riff (is it 7/8?) in the intro and before the solos, love the three guitars playing different stuff for almost the whole song, love the vocal melody and the lyrics and the chorus. Bravo, Steve and Adrian!

whilst this is the shortest song on the album, I feel it has a great sense of depth to it, which can't really be fully absorbed after just one, or even a couple of listens. The intital riff, and the verses remind me a bit of the Priest classic "Blood Red Skies", whilst the 2nd riff, which is played in an odd-metre instantly brought Rush to my mind. The lyrics are surprisingly very literal and to the point, and it is impossible not to think of the great Robin Williams whilst listening to them.

As someone who writes lyrics, I can say that these are pretty good and thoughtful. This would be the perfect song for a second single. Not that Maiden cares, but this is the kinda song that could go number one in a lot of countries; maybe even the US. It's a simple, catchy tune with a great chorus.

It seems as though I'm one of the only people who finds this to be one of the weakest tracks on the album.

The riff to this song is different for Maiden, but I really like it. Both solos have a great amount of emotion that really fit the song perfectly.

Even though Bruce didn't write it, it totally feels like is one of his songs. His performance of the vocals is really great. The only part I'm not so sure of is around the 4 min mark where the guitar part is really weak

I expected something similar to Coming Home and it is in a way, but much less emotional and musically engaging. But it's not terrible... Probably will be played live since it's Bruce's favourite.

This solo is drenched with emotion and played with the finest feel. Can't believe what I'm reading here. All this talk about imperfect notes you're hearing (according to some unimportant theory Maiden is probably not aware of), but what matters here is feeling the solo. This portrayal of sadness, executed with a daring vulnerability (this is done so well with these intervals) could not have matched the topic in a better way. Adrian unfolds the "drama", with its opposite sides, and Dave literally brings us to the end of the life of the man this is about (sudden stop included).

This song totally floored me. Easily my favorite of the short rockers on the album. There's a lot of cool rhythmic stuff happening, especially on the pre verse riff. Really poignant lyrics too and the music does a great job illustrating it. I get an Accident of Birth vibe from the whole song, which is funny considering Bruce wasn't involved in the writing. You can really tell when Bruce particularly likes a set of lyrics he didn't write though, because he really ups his delivery on them.

The turnaround of the main riff lead by Harris and McBrain is a shining example of how tight the rhythm section can be. Adrian’s wah-soaked guitar solo shines through brilliantly, right before Murray cuts him off with impeccable tone and a bit of sweep-picking! Tears of a Clown might have the two most memorable solos on the whole album.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2016: 8.04; 62/155

Overall

Spoiler

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)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
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)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
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)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
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)
1.94 - 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)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
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)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
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 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 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 24
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 32
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 5

 

[Magnus]

seems to strive to explain what it's like to be forced to entertain while, in reality, you're hurting inside in ways that most cannot comprehend. The lyrics evoke this so strongly you have to wonder if Steve Harris doesn't have some personal experience with this issue.

Rest assured, Steve ain't got no clue of how to entertain.

 

[Operations666]

Rest assured, Steve ain't got no clue of how to entertain.

I don't know. I like when he hops up and down and then points his bass at me while lip-syncing.

 

[Magnus]

"We're artists not entertainers"
Alan "Nemtheanga" Averill, Primordial.

 

[LooseCannon]

76: The Ides of March - Killers (Thunderstick, Harris)
Average score: 8.07/10 Deviation: 2.87
Killers 7/11
Top 25: 2008
Top 50: 2004, 2005, 2006
Top 100: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015

Simply a massive change between 2008 and 2011 when this song plummeted a record 64 slots, losing 2.02 points (a fifth of all possible marks) in one go. It's slipped further since then, and seems to be wending its way out of the Top 100. This song also has a Top 25 entry, so big changes of opinions here. People go from thinking of it as a classic track to believing it is "just an intro". The shortest song in the catalog, but it seems destined to plummet down lower, and lower, and lower.

Choice comments:

pretty cool solos, nice intro, but nothing too special IMO. At least it's better than the Samson version!

It's a solid instrumental, but it feels too much like an intro and too little like an independent song. I like all 3 other instrumentals more, but I think Maiden should do instrumentals occasionally.

I'd love to see them play this live then segue into something completely out of left field, like Where Eagles Dare.

great opener and instrumental, but not as substantial as Transylvania. I wish it had a little more length, but it's purpose as the lead in to Wrathchild makes it part of a wicked one two punch. Clive's drumming has always highlighted this tune for me...

The world is filled with instrumental openers/intros that are completely useless.But not here.This song stands easily individually or as a prelude to watch coming next.

Maiden never fail when it comes to instrumentals. Clive is amazing, the guitars are insane, and Maiden are by far the greatest band at projecting imagery through their music. Don't know if there is a better marching song, in fact this is probably better than a lot of official ones.

It's an intro. It sounds like an intro.

It doesn't feel like a complete song and I don't view it as one either since it would feel a bit wierd to listen to on it's own without a follow up track for it to lead into. But I like it, it sets the mood nicely and does it's thing. I have always felt Maiden records have worked better with intros than just starting with a short rocker.

Works great as an intro, which of course was what it was written for. I wish Maiden would have made more albums with a specific intro to set the mood of the album like this one does very will for Killers. I enjoy hearing it before Wrathchild, then Murders In A Rue Morgue, definitely a strong way to open their 2nd album!

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.88; 32/123
2005: 9.22 +0.34; 33/124 -1
2006: 9.76 +0.54; 31/124 +2
2008: 9.48 -0.28; 25/134 +6
2011: 7.46 -2.02; 89/144 -64
2012: 53/144 +36
2014: 7.60 +0.14; 89/144 -36
2015: 7.59 -0.01; 93/144 -4
2016: 6.89 -0.70; 116/155 -23

Overall

Spoiler

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)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
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)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
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)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
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)
1.94 - 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)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
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)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
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 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 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 28
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 32
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 5

 

[LooseCannon]

T74: The Great Unknown - The Book of Souls (Smith, Harris)
Average score: 8.08/10 Deviation: n/a
The Book of Souls 7/11
Top 100: 2016

It should be pointed out that in previous years, there is almost always "buyer's remorse" after the first year an album polls. We've maintained rankings since 2004, which means we've seen Dance of Death, A Matter of Life and Death, The Final Frontier, and The Book of Souls come and go. There's a crazy thought - Maidenfans has been online for a quarter of Iron Maiden's albums! Anyway, I wonder if these low-eight songs will keep that ranking or if they'll slip over time as they are assimilated into the greater catalog. Many Maidenfans have compared the sound of this track to A Matter of Life and Death, which is an extremely positive comparison, but a few people haven't found this track to "click".

Choice comments:

My initial impression of the song was very lukewarm, as there's nothing about it which really leaps out on initial listenings, apart from H's dramatic solo. It's sound is very much in the AMOLAD vein, and like many of that album's songs, it's true worth only becomes apparent after repeated listenings. It's a slow burner of a song, with a great sense of atmosphere, that really makes it's presence felt once it gets under your skin. This one is definitely going to be overlooked by most, but I love it!

I remember liking the song at first listen, but since I have not been really fond of it and, apart from Bruce's original vocal melody at the beginning, I don't find anything really striking. The vocals sound a bit strained at times.

On the first listen I was like "this ain't bad, but I sure hope there are better songs". Then I played it two more times so that I can say something about it here and it clicked immediately. Insanely catchy chorus once it clicks. Very AMOL&D-ish too.

Love the guitars climbing away there in the background in the first minute and a half, and the prominent solos, although the sudden cut off towards the end is strange. I can't believe this is over six minutes, it feels shorter

I love the melody : such passion from Bruce ! " it'll never be the same or calm again!"
This part brought me to tears!! The inflection in Bruce's voice here is so moving! My favorite tune on the album right now. Unfortunately no chance of getting this live. (Am I right?) love the great unknown!! Played it four times back to back.

I actually really like this one. I feel it would have worked even better as an "epic", though, with a long instrumental section in the middle. Still a great song. Nice chorus.

Along with WTRRD, I find this to be the most forgettable and "fillerish" song on the album

The juddering verse riff, when it kicks in, is seriously heavy. It sounds like barely-contained fury. And Janick's solo is perfect; just the right side of scratchy. It suits the riff exactly.

I really like this song, it reminds me of A Matter of Life and Death but still completely different. But especially comparing this song to AMOLAD shows that their songwriting has evolved since then. I think the structure on this is really unique for Maiden, especially how instead of doing another verse after the first chorus, they did a guitar solo.

I love everything this song has to offer: the melodies, the tonality, the structure. Bruce sounds magnificent and the band retains the power they harnessed on the opening track. Everyone gets a solo, starting with a ripping lead from Janick before a stellar unison, followed by a Smith/Murray tradeoff with a couple key changes. The Great Unknown reminds me of the dark ground that Maiden tread on A Matter of Life and Death. Sonic texture is the name of the game on this song and it’s a masterclass.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2016: 8.08; 58/155

Overall

Spoiler

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)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
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)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
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)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
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)
1.94 - 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)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
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)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
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 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 28
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 32
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Mosh]

It's slipped further since then, and seems to be wending its way out of the Top 100. This song also has a Top 25 entry, so big changes of opinions here. People go from thinking of it as a classic track to believing it is "just an intro". The shortest song in the catalog, but it seems destined to plummet down lower, and lower, and lower.

I blame Knickerbocker and his anti-Killers brigade for that one.

 

[Mosh]

I stand by what I said in that comment about The Great Unknown, but I will say my interest in the song has waned since then. Good track but it is in the bottom half of the album.

 

[LooseCannon]

T74: Man on the Edge - The X Factor (Bayley, Gers)
Average score: 8.08/10 Deviation: 1.68
The X Factor 8/11
Top 50: 2004
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

Another song that regressed after the end of the 00s, this track hasn't fallen quite so far as others, perhaps due to its reputation as a hard-driving song, one of the better examples of this from the Blaze era. Lots of positive thoughts here for the tempo and the strength of the track. Interestingly, this song has the same deviation as our lowest-ranked track, The Apparition. These low-eights songs are really crowded together, and it'll be interesting to see how the journey goes for this track over the next decade. I'm guessing it will be...falling down (the rankings).

Choice comments:

One of the shorter and faster songs on the album, but it doesn't really have the same impact as some of the other songs. It's still a good song and a decent single.

The worst track off The X Factor, but that's not saying anything. A good, fast-paced rocker that is fun and energetic. I enjoy this one a lot, I just think it drops a bit in comparison with the rest of the album. It feels a bit shallow here.

It fits in well with the flow of the album and a bit of a surprise it was not the 1st track. It's a fun rockers, sounded good with Blaze and Bruce singing it. Thankfully when Steve was going to the movies in 1993 he picked Falling Down over the Coneheads ...

The opening riff before the pace kicks in is classical Maiden sounding.
But to me rockers should provoke uncontrollable fist-pumping, air guitar/drums, devil horns or headbanging - or a mix of all four. Man on the Edge has never caused these sensations with me.

Musically, this song is light-hearted compared to the rest of the album - lyrically, it's just as dark as several others. It's very enjoyable, although there are no parts of it that really stand out to me

This song is fucking badass. Blaze's vocals are beyond excellent, except for the final chorus where he sounds flat in the "do-ow-own" part. Janick's lead is one of my favorites and just makes the bursting amount of energy of this song just churn faster and faster. Crushing, fast riffs as well. Steve's machine gun bassline is the icing on the cake. Definitely one of the more accessible songs on TXF for those who are averse to the dark, melancholic sound of the rest of the album.

It's an above average song overall because I really like the verses and the uptempo feel of the song but the chorus can get a little annoying when Blaze sings "Falling Down" repeatedly

Man on the Edge is far better and certainly strongest track on the album after the opening epic. Blaze contributes his first writing credit here, working with Janick to craft a rousing rocker with an incredibly simplistic, yet catchy chorus.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.64; 42/123
2005: 8.60 -0.04; 51/124 -9
2006: 8.94 +0.34; 54/124 -3
2008: 8.60 -0.34; 59/134 +6
2011: 7.78 -0.82; 74/144 -15
2012: 82/144 -8
2014: 8.00 +0.22; 69/144 +13
2015: 7.98 -0.02; 67/144 +2
2016: 7.26 -0.72; 100/155 -33

Overall

Spoiler

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)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
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)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
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)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
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)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
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)
1.94 - 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)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
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)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
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 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 28
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 40
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[LooseCannon]

I blame Knickerbocker and his anti-Killers brigade for that one.

You should have found us in Las Vegas and punched him in person.

 

[LooseCannon]

73: Wrathchild - Killers (Harris)
Average score: 8.11/10 Deviation: 1.22
Killers 8/11
Top 50: 2004
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

Generally acclaimed and occasionally loved, this track is noted as being overplayed. It has suffered somewhat in recent years, but it took its largest dive early on, losing a huge amount of rating between 2004 and 2005, and it never quite recovered. Lots of people note the licks Adrian plays after the chorus as a huge positive, and it is noted as being a concert staple that gets you moving. Probably will sink lower over time, but not much lower.

Choice comments:

A great bass in the opening, very cool lyrics, one of the highlights of the album. On the other hand, they kind of overplayed this one live.

It's one of the better tracks on Killers, but considering the general quality of the album, that's not necessarily saying much. It also wasn't that exciting live this summer, and I expected more of it. I think it rather suits Paul's voice, though.

This one keeps you moving and I always look forward to Bruce's scream live. That scream is not present on this version but the tight drumming of Clive is. Some aggressive chops in the midpiece. I was always intrigued by the omission of Adrian's licks on Live After Death but Janick brought them back and they haven't been away ever since.

Great song, maybe a little overplayed. Bruce sings it better, but Paul's version is also good. Solos are fantastic.

I don't enjoy it as much as I used to. Just sounds kind of boring to me and that iconic chorus, while being catchy, eventually starts to grate on you. Overplayed. Really like the bass intro though, and looking at it objectively it's decent.

First thing you hear on Wrathchild is the far, far superior production of this album and the beautiful lead guitar of Adrian Smith. This song is heavy as shit, and slams into the listener. It's a very good short opener for Iron Maiden - but it isn't quite complete.

The lyrics remain somewhat juvenile, for example, the song rushes to get to the end, and there isn't so much as a complex bit to the music. It's a good song though. Is it great? Probably not.

Still a concert staple to this day, Wrathchild is a bass-driven rock stomp with Paul Di’Anno promising in a drunken snarl that he’s comin’ to get you. The band is firing on all cylinders here. Apparently H added the guitar fills after each line in the chorus and is thus single-handedly responsible for making Wrathchild unforgettable.

Very effective song, much better here than on the Metal for muthas compilation, but still a lot better live than here. Killers was the first cd I bought after we got our first cd player, only having listened to vinyls before, it must be the second maiden album that was actually my own as well, so of course it has a special place in my heart.

This one has grown on me Tremendously over the years! I never understood why it was often included live and always on the greatest hits album, but now I can see why. It's a very atmospheric short rocker that really builds some momentum on the Killers album. I would really enjoy hearing it live in the future!

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.90; 31/123
2005: 7.68 -1.22; 88/124 -57
2006: 8.04 +0.36; 60/124 +28
2008: 8.38 +0.34; 69/134 -9
2011: 8.10 -0.28; 60/144 +9
2012: 53/144 +7
2014: 8.14 +0.04; 61/144 -1
2015: 8.18 +0.04; 62/144 -1
2016: 7.76 -0.42; 75/155 -13

Overall

Spoiler

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)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
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)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
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)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
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)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
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)
1.94 - 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)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
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)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
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 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 36
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 40
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[LooseCannon]

T71: Prowler - Iron Maiden (Harris)
Average score: 8.12/10 Deviation: 0.55
Iron Maiden 5/9
Top 100: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

We stay in the Di'Anno era for the halfway point of the self-titled debut album, the very first Iron Maiden song on an officially released album. Imagine the job this track had, to grab young metalheads by the balls and jerk them in and change their musical journey forever. And now, fifteen albums and 146 songs later, it still ranks in the 50th percentile of Maiden songs. Can't you believe this feeling, can't you believe it, can't you believe your eyes! This one has a tight deviation of just over a half-point, indicating that Maidenfans haven't changed their opinion on this one - it's a very good track! Similarly, it's never been out of the Top 100 but never into the Top 50. Lots of people indicating the lyrics are the weakpoint here, definitely an odd choice, but the rest just says - welcome to Iron fuckin' Maiden!

Choice comments:

A blastering and blistering song, that´s it ! The intro is perfect, vocals and bass are perfect and Dave solo´s is perfect too. I really love this song !

I don't like this version as much as I like Prowler '88. No doubt Di'anno did a better job on vocals for this song, but I like Nicko , and H, more than Dennis and Clive.

This song virtually explodes with energy, a great opener. IMHO Prowler '88 miserably fails to capture that aggressive vibe.

Classic song! Open the debut like a storm. Lyrics are pretty 'dissimulated' but I can relate to that, obviously - jerking off to whatever chicks I can see. It's the real thing, girl!!!

A great song. My defining memory of this song is not realizing I'd set it as an alarm (my old alarm used to be the playlist "recently added" on my iPod) and nearly having a heart attack when the intro riff woke me up the next morning. The solo is brilliant too, imo. I wish this would get on the set more.

Great song. I especially like that fast part (Got me feeling myself and reeling a.../Got me talking but nothing's with me...). I prefer the version from 1988

I hate this one, apparently being the only one to feel that way. It's catchy in an annoying way, the lyrics are bullshit, and I don't like Paul very much either.

Cant think of a better opener, high energy to kick home that NWOBHM connection while as taker touched on giving what was so wanted at the time. the lyrical irrelevance and poor production dont matter because the energy sweeps you away.

Easily the best song of the album, and one where the rather rough playing and production doesn't do the song a disfavour.

Strange to think Maiden would start their career about a song concerning stalking women, especially if you look at them now (the band, not the women, but good joke),

If this song had lyrics about a decurion throwing a cheese from to Lugdunum to Parthia, I'd still give it a 9.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.40; 56/123
2005: 8.48 +0.08; 55/124 +1
2006: 8.06 -0.42; 58/124 +3
2008: 8.40 +0.34; 68/134 -10
2011: 7.98 -0.42; 64/144 +4
2012: 55/144 +9
2014: 8.00 +0.02; 67/144 -12
2015: 8.08 +0.08; 65/144 +2
2016: 7.93 -0.15; 69/155 -4

Overall

Spoiler

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)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
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)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
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)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
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)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
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)
1.94 - 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)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
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)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
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 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 12
Killers 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 36
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 3/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 10
Powerslave 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 14
Somewhere in Time 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 2/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 13
No Prayer For the Dying 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 18
Fear of the Dark 9/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 20
The X Factor 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 5 Top 100: 40
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 2/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 4
Dance of Death 6/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 22
A Matter of Life and Death 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 15
The Final Frontier 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 24
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Diesel 11]

"I used to think Wrathchild was a fan favorite, until I joined Maiden Fans." ~Me

 

[Black Wizard]

'Prowler' is a great introduction to Iron Maiden.