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

[Magnus]

No 42? Douglas Adams doesn't like this

 

[Srogyy]

The Legacy and WtWWB landed too low. Stranger is better than 45 too. In my opinion, of course.

 

[Lampwick 43]

The Legacy and WtWWB landed too low. Stranger is better than 45 too. In my opinion, of course.

Agreed. Well, I'm ok with Stranger at 45, but The Legacy at 46 is incomprehensible to me.

 

[LooseCannon]

T39: Caught Somewhere in Time - Somewhere in Time (Harris)
Average score: 8.75/10 Deviation: 1.13
Somewhere in Time 6/8
Top 10: 2012
Top 25: 2016
Top 50: 2004, 2011, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008

Phew, this track has been all over, and I think it's landed in a fairly solid place. This track didn't do superb early on in Maidenfans, and is getting its best rankings ever right now, except for a #6 showing in the 2012 Head to Head tournament. Still, this track's history with "merely" very good scores will probably keep it from aspiring to the Top 25 for a few more years. Some people believe this is one of the greatest songs ever, and many more think it is only pretty good. Adrian's solo is frequently mentioned as a high point, while Bruce's vocals are probably the most mentioned lowpoint.

Choice comments:

The intro may sound strange at the first time you listen it, but you get used to it really fast. Its a good song, however a bit too "mainstream" mainly in the chorus.

However, the solo, along to the SIASL one, is one of the best solos of H. This one sums the whole song into it. I mean, if there weren´t song at all, and only the solo, it would still be great !

Good song with a cool intro — both slow and fast parts. Killer solos too. I’m not usually one to complain about Maiden songs being dragged out too long, but this one could have used an editor. It has too many repetitions to elevate it into the class of great. It’s the worst song on the album, but that’s more a commentary of Somewhere in Time’s overall consistent excellence.

My favourite Adrian solo ever...and both solos are lengthy which is great. The soaringest of soaring vocals from Bruce. Amazing song all round. One of my all time faves and a song I have enjoyed for many years.

"You can't have synths in metal." Well this song, especially that opening half a minute, instantly puts Bruce's old theory to rest. I love the galloping backing throughout, and the drawn out vocals in the chorus. A fantastic and very unique opener to the album.

A good song, but nothing more.

This song is absolutely phenomenal and stands heads and shoulders above everything else on this album; which in itself is an astronomical feat considering how strong a line-up Somewhere In Time has. So why is Caught Somewhere In Time the best song on this album? The way I see it, it's both a flawlessly crafted song and yet, such a risky and audacious move by the band, being the first synthesized song that most fans hear, considering the ever popular Wasted Years possesses no synths.

The Maiden gallop is still in full force and Harris leads his men through a rousing opening track. It’s great song, but not as immediate or powerful as Aces High or Where Eagles Dare.

I don't care for the chorus enough to enjoy how much it is repeated. Bruce's strained vocals don't help either. Sometimes I think the vocals were produced in a way that purposely hides Bruce's weaknesses during this period.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.86; 33/123
2005: 8.32 -0.54; 56/124 -23
2006: 8.06 -0.26; 58/124 -2
2008: 8.66 +0.60; 56/134 +2
2011: 8.52 -0.14; 46/144 +10
2012: 6/144 +40
2014: 8.93 +0.41; 28/144 -22
2015: 8.96 +0.03; 27/144 +1
2016: 9.19 +0.25; 16/155 +11

Overall

Spoiler

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

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

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

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 8/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 23
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Somewhere in Time 6/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 32
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 19
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 21 Top 100: 23
The Final Frontier 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 31
The Book of Souls 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[LooseCannon]

38: The Evil That Men Do - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Smith, Dickinson, Harris)
Average score: 8.79/10 Deviation: 2.31
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 5/8
Top 10: 2012, 2016
Top 25: 2004, 2011, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008

This song came in 8th in 2016, but it came in 88th twice, in 2006 and 2008, dropping almost to a 7 at that time. Could this be because someone hated the song and bombed the poll back then? Who knows, but if we keep the bloated Stranger in a Strange Land poll from 2004 and the Wasted Years poll from 2006, we gotta keep this one too. This one had one bad year and two mediocre years, and since then it's been all smooth sailing. This one should go up the rankings more and more. This one has a lot of lovers and only a handful of detractors, and that handful has gotten smaller and smaller over the years.

Choice comments:

The guitar solo in this song is surprisingly diverse. I only think that it is not represented the way it should be; the bass gets into the way too much (it is too loud). This is, however, the only point in this song that can be criticized in this song, in my opinion- and that is even pushing it!
In fact, I personally think that this song is the finest moment in the history of Heavy Metal. Metal never got any better than this song, with the brilliant vocals, the wonderful guitar work, and the presence of every single musician, playing their thing individually and yet acting together as a team.

I won't try to analyse the lyrics, other than mention that they are beautiful and poetic, so I'll just say that I find this to be Iron Maiden's BEST SONG! Yes, better than Hallowed Be Thy Name!

Definitely works better live, I dislike the studio version. It has a great riff and all that, but there is clearly a lack of energy.

It's a good song and one that I didn't really get into until I started to watch the video of the song. A bit of an odd way to find a liking for a song, but that's the way it is.

A very easy song to listen to, extremely catchy and has very strong lyrics. To me, it sounds like it was written as a single, same as it's predocessor CIPWM, but I believe this to be the much better of the two

This song also feels commercial, but it has energy, intro, chorus, solo, lyrics, of an excellent Iron Maiden song. Unlike the Can I Play With Madness.

Love this song. It's such a stark contrast from CIPWM. Both are obvious singles, but one is more true to the Maiden sound than the other. Great melodies, great riffing, and one of my all time favorite Smith solos. If I had to name one flaw, I'd say that the chorus doesn't quite live up to the rest of the song. But literally everything else is top notch. From the lyrics right down to the drum fills.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.94; 23/123
2005: 8.08 -0.86; 65/124 -42
2006: 7.08 -1.00; 88/124 -23
2008: 8.08 +1.00; 88/134 NC
2011: 9.02 +0.94; 19/144 +59
2012: 10/144 +9
2014: 9.18 +0.16; 17/144 -7
2015: 9.22 +0.04; 15/144 +2
2016: 9.39 +0.17; 8/155 +7

Overall

Spoiler

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

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

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

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 8/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 23
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Somewhere in Time 6/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 32
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 5/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 27
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 19
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 21 Top 100: 23
The Final Frontier 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 31
The Book of Souls 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Black Wizard]

One of the very best in my opinion.

 

[Operations666]

The lyrics of The Evil That Men Do are so true and really show how so much esoteric truth is hidden in Iron Maiden's music and lyrics. There's much more there than just cool heavy metal.

The devil knows exactly how to attack children of God. He'll use his own daughter to bring you down.

 

[Mosh]

That chorus has grown on me lately. I might give it a 10 next time.

 

[Diesel 11]

TETMD 38?! Alright, who's in charge around here, I have a complaint to make!

In all seriousness though, it was #6 on the list I tallied up so this low is really mind blowing.

 

[Maturin]

Not surprised to see Wild Wind Blows fading. I'm still torn on it - some parts of it are fantastic, but I never truly feel it the way I do with for example The Talisman.

I am however surprised to see Acacia Avenue this high. I've never thought highly of it (and it's surprising anyone does), as to me it's always been an example of a time when my favourite band hadn't just found their voice yet. Muscianship is okay (though that is mostly due to Clive on drums), but I hate the lyrics.

 

[SirRobbins]

T39: Caught Somewhere in Time - Somewhere in Time (Harris)
Average score: 8.75/10 Deviation: 1.13
Somewhere in Time 6/8
Top 10: 2012
Top 25: 2016
Top 50: 2004, 2011, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008

This will always be the greatest Maiden song to me. It was the first one I ever heard. It was the reason I got into them, and metal for that matter (well, the cassette tape cover got me the album and it was the first song lol). Sure, the chorus is repetitive and many of Steve's songs are... Aside from that, it's a masterpiece of music. It contains everything they are known for. Dynamic intro, galloping riffs both on bass and twin guitars, phenomenal solos, amazing bridge riff (the best IMO), great lyrics and Bruce's story telling style of singing is great and Nicko's drumming hasn't been better IMO. Sad to see it this low....

 

[Black Wizard]

It's in the upper quarter. It's not low at all.

 

[Collin]

No. It's too low. That song should be top ten. Easy.

 

[fekso]

You are doing a fantastic job! Cant wait to learn what the top 30 looks like.

 

[Diesel 11]

Same!

 

[LooseCannon]

37: The Nomad - Brave New World (Murray, Harris)
Average score: 8.82/10 Deviation: 1.79
Brave New World 6/10
Top 10: 2004
Top 50: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2012, 2016

Controversy! The results of this song's ratings are on a pretty constant slide since the revelation that Dave Murray kinda completely lifted the instrumental of this track. Which, I think, is too bad. It's a beautiful track, and I hope there's some justice done, because I dislike that people rate the song lower because of the not-on-the-record stuff. Pretty high deviation here, mostly due to 2016 which sees this track drop pretty significantly. @MrKnickerbocker first rated this a 4, and then followed up with a 10. Fun fact - my girlfriend and I got together because of this song.

Choice comments:

Although I love historic/epic lyrics, I just can't get pass the lyrics. it seems so simplistic to sing about a nomad on a camel. It's different to sing about a specific person/event/location and different to sing abstactly about a nameless nomad... steve's lyrics and voice melodies (the ones he composed for bruce to sing) really bring down this album... he should leave all things voice related to bruce and all things production related to someone else instead of shirley (sneap!)

The Nomad is a great 'atmosphere' song with fantastic solos and just overall great music. I love it because it's different somehow from Maiden's other work, and I find that The Pilgrim echoes this uniqueness a little. I've never bothered too much with the lyrics, just like I've never really bothered with the lyrics of Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Both songs have great music and thats enough for me. If I want deep lyrics I'll go to Brighter Than a Thousand Suns or Blood Brothers.

Nomad is one of my favorites on BNW but there is something i dont get: the lyrics, they're probly the reason this song has never been played live. First of all, it is a dry subject imo to sing about one who comes and goes and secondly Steve writes these lyrics in a way that would give someone the wrong idea about what a nomad is, infact, at the "no ones talked to you and lived to tell the tale" part i nearly fellover laughing its so... I don't get it, perhaps someone could explain this to me?

Great epic atmosphere on this one, particularly in the middle section. Chorus and pre-chorus both miss the mark somewhat somewhat.

This song played an important part in getting me into Maiden. I've always been a nutter for everything that has to do with the Middle East, and I've always loved the image of bedouin nomads riding through the desert... and this song brought that image before my eyes perfectly. I'm not overly excited by the way the verses are sung, and I have to admit that the lyrics used to sound a lot cooler to me when I was 16.
Like everyone, I was disappointed to find out that the instrumental part was ripped off, but at least they ripped off on the highest possible level, and made it infinitely better. I always found the Beckett song somewhat boring, whereas this has me close my eyes and find myself in the sand dunes of Arabia. And ever since I found almost identical parts in Dvorak's 9th symphony and Beethoven's 9th, I always felt that that is something even the greatest of the great do... so curse me, I am not too bothered by it.

This is another one off BNW that took awhile to grow on me. I love the mid eastern vibe, and Bruce sounds awesome. Who gives a shit about the Beckett controversy. All rock n roll is ripped off from SOMETHING else.

The first is the chorus which is annoying. I don't like Bruce's singing and the vocal line. The second thing is how they ripped of Beckett. Other than that it's a majestic track. You can easily picture the nomad, deserts, sand and all of that. Maiden are extremely good at fitting lyrics to music or vice versa.

I love the music. Murray's leads are exceptional and catchy, but the vocals and lyrics absolutely ruin this song for me.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 9.48; 8/123
2005: 9.42 -0.06; 28/124 -20
2006: 9.70 +0.38; 32/124 -4
2008: 9.24 -0.46; 37/134 -5
2011: 8.66 -0.58; 36/144 +1
2012: 73/144 -37
2014: 8.69 +0.03; 46/144 -10
2015: 8.72 +0.03; 42/144 +4
2016: 7.91 -0.81; 70/155 -28

Overall

Spoiler

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

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

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

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 8/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 23
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Somewhere in Time 6/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 32
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 5/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 27
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 6/10 Top 10: 1 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 21
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 21 Top 100: 23
The Final Frontier 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 31
The Book of Souls 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Srogyy]

It's a decent song, but I don't think it deserves to be in the top 50. Better than CSiT, TETMD, WtWWB, The Legacy, BNW? Come on.

 

[LooseCannon]

36: Afraid to Shoot Strangers - Fear of the Dark (Harris)
Average score: 8.86/10 Deviation: 0.58
Fear of the Dark 11/12
Top 25: 2012, 2016
Top 50: 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2005

The penultimate song from the early 1990s and from Fear of the Dark, this track has stayed very stable in the ratings with a tight deviation of just over a half-point, with a nice uptick in the most recent year. Some people think this was a great track when sung by Blaze; the lyrics seem to be a positive point as well.

Just going to point out that we're now 6 songs away from the next album to be completely on the board and nobody has yet successfully guessed the combination song-album to drop out. Pretty sure you guys are going to be surprised!

Choice comments:

I never thought of this song as pro- or anti-war. I always thought it was Steve's attempt to describe the feelings of a soldier. No one wants to die, and I seriously doubt that many soldiers actually want to kill another human being in combat. But it is still the viewpoint of most soldiers that war, and the killing that unfortunately goes with it, is sometimes necessary for the greater good. Therefore you get the apparent conflict between peace and war in the lyrics.

Musically, the song is brilliant. It is partly soft ballad, partly great heavy metal with superb guitar solos. In fact, I would go as far as saying that the guitar work is some of the best Maiden have ever done.
The quiet, slow vocals reveal that Bruce's voice was definately far from being at their peak; as with many other songs from the album, they sound tired and strained. But in this song, it even adds to the mood of the song, and fits perfectly.

I don’t really like this song, and I think it’s because of the production wich is too clean, and the intro with the soporific drum part. Note that I’ve nothing against slow intros in Maiden, but I prefer ‘Fortunes of war’, ‘Edge of Darckness’ or ‘Dance of death’ than this one where nothing happened.
I don’t like how Bruce sings the slow chorus : “Afraid to shoot strangers”, with over-produced backing vocals. I prefer the Blaze version, and I think he saves the song.
Howerver, there’re some good points : the melody, and the amazing solos !

My apologies in advance if this is a favorite of yours, but I don't get the love for this song. (Perhaps that's not the case on this particular site). I've a friend who easily puts this in his top 5 and I'm simply perplexed. I'm not even sure it's in the top 2/3 on the album.

Perhaps it is that I think it is a bit presumptuous for a rock musician to put himself into the shoes of a combat soldier, which is one of the reasons I dislike Mother of Mercy as well. It's one thing to do it from a historical point of view, but this is about the Gulf War (No, you can't call it Fear of the Gulf, Steve. The Gulf War's over, you don't want to go around depressing everyone. Why don't you call it Fear of the Golf? Golf's happening all the time!), which was quite topical.

I do like it, I recognize that it is that good, but I don't love it.

I really like the structure of this song: somber and introspective, to stately, to off the rails, to intense yet disciplined, to somber and introspective again; It nicely mirrors a soldier’s journey from recruit to veteran. Vintage Harris songwriting.

After a rough start for the album, we finally get back to the standard of quality you would expect from a Maiden album. I love the guitar melodies throughout and Bruce's vocals are haunting. I also really dig the steady drum beat during the first verses, slowly getting more intense. Great buildup that pretty much set the template for modern Maiden. It's proof that Maiden could've stripped down their sound without dumbing it down too. This is still raw sounding Maiden (with the exception of the string synths which really don't add anything anyway), but it's still interesting and exciting to listen to. It's also an epic sounding track that isn't all that long.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.60; 44/123
2005: 8.54 -0.06; 53/124 -9
2006: 9.02 +0.48; 36/124 +17
2008: 9.12 +0.10; 41/134 -5
2011: 8.70 -0.42; 33/144 +8
2012: 23/144 +10
2014: 8.79 +0.09; 38/144 -15
2015: 8.83 +0.04; 34/144 +4
2016: 9.08 +0.15; 24/155 +10

Overall

Spoiler

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

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

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

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 8/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 23
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Somewhere in Time 6/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 32
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 5/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 27
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 11/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 28
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 6/10 Top 10: 1 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 21
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 21 Top 100: 23
The Final Frontier 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 31
The Book of Souls 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[LooseCannon]

It's a decent song, but I don't think it deserves to be in the top 50. Better than CSiT, TETMD, WtWWB, The Legacy, BNW? Come on.

I personally agree that two of those six songs are better than The Nomad, but this isn't my list - this is everyone's list.

 

[LooseCannon]

T34: Wasted Years - Somewhere in Time (Smith)
Average score: 8.87/10 Deviation: 1.20
Somewhere in Time 7/8
Top 25: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
Top 50: 2004, 2011
Top 100: 2005, 2006, 2008

I suspect we'll see some outrage on this track as well. Possibly because it came in at 34th; possibly because, as the penultimate song from Somewhere in Time, it means only one track is considered better from the album and I think the current forum consensus is against that conclusion. This song had a really weird year in 2005-2006 - there were literally thousands of votes on the old IMC poll, most of them either for 5 or for 1. Not sure what happened, but out of honesty, I've kept those numbers. The current forum generation says this is a top 15 song, but I really think I can list at least 20 songs better than this, personally, so I think it's closer to where it deserves to be. It'll rise, though.

Spoiler: Songs LC likes better than Wasted Years off the top of his head

Phantom, Killers, NOTB, Hallowed, Trooper, Still Life, Revelations, Powerslave, Aces High, Rime, ATG, TETMD, Moonchild, FOTD, ATSS, SOTC, Edge of Darkness, Aftermath, Clansman, When Two Worlds Collide, the power 3 from BNW, OOTSP, Nomad, Rainmaker, DOD, Paschendale (duh), BTATS, FTGGOG, IOA, Starblind, Eternity, TBOS, Empire)

Choice comments:

As the song opens, I see a dark, very rainy night. There is a passenger train which is nearly empty hurtling along to some far-off destination. Alone in one compartment is a 30-something man in a wrinkled white shirt with his tie still around his neck but loosened. He has not shaven that day. There is an open briefcase on the seat next to him and papers around him. He has apparently been trying to catch up on some work, but is having difficulty keeping on task.

The man is looking out the window and is obviously becomming depressed. He lost the love of his life (she left him, died, or something...he can't have her) a few years ago and has thrown himself into his work to cope with the loss. No matter what he does, though, he can't get over her. He thinks of her when he's alone, sees her in his sleep, etc.

He sings the refrain to himself in a whispered, half mocking tone - as if he doesn't actually believe what he's saying.

After a few months on Maidenfans, it’s pretty clear users favour Maiden’s prog side. This, in my opinion, is the band’s best pop song. I mean it’s Maiden with the killer riff and the off-kilter rhythms, but the core of the song is its melody, particularly the gorgeous chorus. I expect to stumble into a coffee shop someday and hear it played by some guy on an acoustic guitar. And I’m curious to see how it plays with the “too happy” Can-I-Hate-With-Madness crowd on the site and why.

After the mesmeric galloping synthfest of Caught Somewhere In Time the opening riff to Wasted Years keeps the intensity going and the sci-fi atmosphere at full throttle. The verses are slightly melancholic and trippy, the chorus is enormous and Adrian pulls out another solo that leaves me feeling stunned every time. The outro fade out rules.

Nicko kills on more spaces of the album, not just on Wasted Years, the band is tight (even if they recorded in different studios ) on the whole album, and the guitar sound is elsewhere as well. And Adrians solo? I think he does a few more great ones.

Like the lyrics very, very much. And the music that goes with it is inspiring and carries the song in every way possible all the way through.

In the big picture of Iron Maiden's career I think Wasted Years is very important in that it shows that you can convince the fans with a more commercial rock song as long as you do it very well.

A nice, lightweight breather on an album that is otherwise quite dark. It stands out, it's catchy and is one of the "classics" I could listen to over and over again. There's just something very 80's about it (the chorus, specifically) and I mean it in a good way.
I'm tempted to say it has my favourite H's solo (though, maybe not), even better is the way it's connected with that final chorus.

This is probably my favorite Maiden song right now. There isn't much else I can say that hasn't already been said about how great it is. It's pretty catchy for Iron Maiden, but still has a great drive. It's always a treat to play on the guitar, too.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.66; 39/123
2005: 8.16 -0.50; 61/124 -22
2006: 8.10 -0.06; 55/124 +6
2008: 8.56 +0.46; 61/134 -6
2011: 8.66 +0.10; 36/144 +25
2012: 15/144 +21
2014: 9.25 +0.59; 13/144 +2
2015: 9.22 +0.03; 14/144 -1
2016: 9.30 +0.08; 12/155 +2

Overall

Spoiler

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

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

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

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 8/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 23
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 5/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Somewhere in Time 7/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 17 Top 100: 35
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 5/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 27
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 11/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 28
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 6/10 Top 10: 1 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 21
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 21 Top 100: 23
The Final Frontier 9/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 31
The Book of Souls 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6