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

LooseCannon

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Staff member
Updated! Final results immediately below!

Overall
1 - Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Number of the Beast)
2 - Phantom of the Opera (Iron Maiden)
3 - Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Powerslave)
4 - Powerslave (Powerslave)

5 - Revelations (Piece of Mind)
6 - Paschendale (Dance of Death)
7 - Sign of the Cross (The X Factor)
8 - Infinite Dreams (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
9 - The Book of Souls (The Book of Souls)
10 - Aces High (Powerslave)
11 - Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (A Matter of Life and Death)
12 - The Trooper (Piece of Mind)
13 - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
13 - Children of the Damned (The Number of the Beast)
15 - The Clansman (Virtual XI)
16 - If Eternity Should Fail (The Book of Souls)
17 - Killers (Killers)
18 - To Tame a Land (Piece of Mind)
19 - Dance of Death (Dance of Death)
19 - Blood Brothers (Brave New World)
19 - Ghost of the Navigator (Brave New World)

22 - Fear of the Dark (Fear of the Dark)
23 - The Number of the Beast (The Number of the Beast)
23 - Empire of the Clouds (The Book of Souls)
23 - For the Greater Good of God (A Matter of Life and Death)
26 - Moonchild (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
27 - Starblind (The Final Frontier)
28 - Murders in the Rue Morgue (Killers)
28 - Still Life (Piece of Mind)
30 - Alexander the Great (Somewhere in Time)
31 - Rainmaker (Dance of Death)
31 - Where Eagles Dare (Piece of Mind)
33 - Dream of Mirrors (Brave New World)
34 - The Wicker Man (Brave New World)

34 - Wasted Years (Somewhere in Time)
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)
0.16 - Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.20 - Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Number of the Beast)
0.25 - The Number of the Beast (The Number of the Beast)

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)
0.37 - Phantom of the Opera (Iron Maiden)
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 - Rainmaker (Dance of Death)
0.46 - Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Powerslave)
0.46 - These Colours Don't Run (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.48 - Ghost of the Navigator (Brave New World)
0.50 - Alexander the Great (Somewhere in Time)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.53 - Revelations (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)
0.56 - Starblind (The Final Frontier)

0.58 - Afraid to Shoot Strangers (Fear of the Dark)
0.58 - Fear of the Dark (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)
0.66 - Paschendale (Dance of Death)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.69 - Aces High (Powerslave)
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)
0.76 - The Trooper (Piece of Mind)
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)
0.80 - Infinite Dreams (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)

0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Powerslave (Powerslave)
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)
0.91 - For the Greater Good of God (A Matter of Life and Death)
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)
0.94 - Sign of the Cross (The X Factor)
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 - Killers (Killers)
1.10 - Moonchild (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
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)
1.18 - The Wicker Man (Brave New World)
1.20 - Wasted Years (Somewhere in Time)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.22 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Children of the Damned (The Number of the Beast)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.24 - Where Eagles Dare (Piece of Mind)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)

1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.33 - Still Life (Piece of Mind)
1.34 - The Clansman (Virtual XI)
1.36 - To Tame a Land (Piece of Mind)
1.39 - Murders in the Rue Morgue (Killers)
1.41 - Dance of Death (Dance of Death)
1.42 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.42 - Blood Brothers (Brave New World)
1.42 - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.43 - Dream of Mirrors (Brave New World)
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 - Empire of the Clouds (The Book of Souls)
n/a - If Eternity Should Fail (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 Book of Souls (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
Iron Maiden 9/9 Top 10: 9 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Average Rating: 7.33 Average Deviation: 1.50 Trophy Points: 161 TPPSY: 1.99
Killers 11/11 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 10 Top 50: 20 Top 100: 41
Average Rating: 7.84 Average Deviation: 1.61 Trophy Points: 141 TPPSY: 1.42

The Number of the Beast 9/9 Top 10: 11 Top 25: 14 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 8.26 Average Deviation: 0.95 Trophy Points: 215 TPPSY: 2.65

Piece of Mind 9/9 Top 10: 14 Top 25: 13 Top 50: 18 Top 100: 19
Average Rating: 8.31 Average Deviation: 0.99 Trophy Points: 247 TPPSY: 3.05

Powerslave 8/8 Top 10: 20 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Average Rating: 8.56 Average Deviation: 1.25 Trophy Points: 273 TPPSY: 3.79

Somewhere in Time 8/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 6 Top 50: 24 Top 100: 35
Average Rating: 8.44 Average Deviation: 1.01 Trophy Points: 127 TPPSY: 1.76

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 8/8 Top 10: 11 Top 25: 16 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 27
Average Rating: 8.54 Average Deviation: 1.28 Trophy Points: 227 TPPSY: 3.15

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 12/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 28
Average Rating: 6.53 Average Deviation: 1.95 Trophy Points: 80 TPPSY: 0.74

The X Factor 11/11 Top 10: 6 Top 25: 10 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 49
Average Rating: 7.89 Average Deviation: 193 Trophy Points: 165 TPPSY: 1.67

Virtual XI 8/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 9 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 14
Average Rating: 7.48 Average Deviation: 2.07 Trophy Points: 68 TPPSY: 0.76

Brave New World 10/10 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 19 Top 50: 28 Top 100: 25
Average Rating: 8.29 Average Deviation: 1.12 Trophy Points: 177 TPPSY: 1.97

Dance of Death 11/11 Top 10: 12 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 40
Average Rating: 7.73 Average Deviation: 1.47 Trophy Points: 206 TPPSY: 2.08

A Matter of Life and Death 10/10 Top 10: 3 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 23 Top 100: 24
Average Rating: 8.15 Average Deviation: 0.79 Trophy Points: 79 TPPSY: 2.13

The Final Frontier 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 5 Top 50: 14 Top 100: 31
Average Rating: 8.20 Average Deviation: 0.64 Trophy Points: 79 TPPSY: 0.88

The Book of Souls 11/11 Top 10: 1 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6
Average Rating: 8.08 Average Deviation: n/a Trophy Points: 24 TPPSY: 2.18

Album rankings
Album ranking by song rating averaged
1 - 8.56 Powerslave
2 - 8.54 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
3 - 8.48. A Matter of Life and Death
4 - 8.44 Somewhere in Time
5 - 8.31 Piece of Mind
6 - 8.29 Brave New World
7 - 8.26 The Number of the Beast
8 - 8.20 The Final Frontier
9 - 8.08 The Book of Souls
10 - 7.89 The X Factor
11 - 7.88 Iron Maiden
12 - 7.84 Killers
13 - 7.73 Dance of Death
14 - 7.48 Virtual XI

15 - 6.67 No Prayer For the Dying
16 - 6.53 Fear of the Dark

Album ranking by average song deviance
  1. 0.64 The Final Frontier
  2. 0.79 A Matter of Life and Death
  3. 0.95 The Number of the Beast
  4. 0.99 Piece of Mind
  5. 1.01 Somewhere in Time
  6. 1.12 Brave New World
  7. 1.25 Powerslave
  8. 1.28 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
  9. 1.47 Dance of Death
  10. 1.50 Iron Maiden
  11. 1.61 Killers
  12. 1.93 The X Factor
  13. 1.95 Fear of the Dark
  14. 2.07 Virtual XI
  15. 2.11 No Prayer For the Dying
n/a The Book of Souls

Album ranking by total Trophy Points
  1. 273 Powerslave
  2. 247 Piece of Mind
  3. 227 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
  4. 215 The Number of the Beast
  5. 206 Dance of Death
  6. 177 Brave New World
  7. 165 The X Factor
  8. 161 Iron Maiden
  9. 128 A Matter of Life and Death
  10. 127 Somewhere in Time
  11. 141 Killers
  12. 80 Fear of the Dark
  13. 79 The Final Frontier
  14. 68 Virtual XI
  15. 41 No Prayer For the Dying
  16. 24 The Book of Souls
Album ranking by Trophy Points Per Song/Year
  1. 3.79 Powerslave
  2. 3.15 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
  3. 3.05 Piece of Mind
  4. 2.65 The Number of the Beast
  5. 2.18 The Book of Souls
  6. 2.13 A Matter of Life and Death
  7. 2.08 Dance of Death
  8. 1.99 Iron Maiden
  9. 1.97 Brave New World
  10. 1.76 Somewhere in Time
  11. 1.67 The X Factor
  12. 1.58 The Final Frontier
  13. 1.42 Killers
  14. 0.76 Virtual XI
  15. 0.74 Fear of the Dark
  16. 0.45 No Prayer For the Dying

155: The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Average score: 3.95/10 Deviation 1.68
Fear of the Dark 1/12


Kicking off our list is the song that some defend, but most despise. Silly verses sung in an odd cadence without much in the way of interesting music or an engaging guitar solo, this song seems to epitomize early-90s Iron Maiden, and, spoiler alert, it’s not a good taster. Was there ever a doubt that this song would be the lowest ranked of them all?

Choice comments:

Well, it's one of my least favourites in their entire catalogue.
this is a very un-typical maiden song with a different style, and does lack some of the things we see in most maiden songs (emotion, power, etc.)
Cool is that Janick uses a wah for the one and only time on a Maiden album.
I just love Bruce's vocal performance on it and the instrumental parts are quite enjoyable to me.
Not a very good song, this is really the only one Maiden has ever done that I wish has never been released.
1/10 from me, and that's generous.

It's one of only 5 Maiden songs I flat out hate. I don't like anything about this song whatsoever. Atrocious.
where is a puke smiley when you need one?
With The Apparition Maiden daringly, and successfully, attempted to write a song with no tune.
It sure is lonely liking this song.
I've recently gave this song another shot and I must say I kinda like it. I really like the lyrics, and the instrumental section, not the easiest song to get into.
The lyrics are obnoxious, the vocal melody absurd, and the music is just boring and trite.
Of all the bad songs on this album, I don't think this one deserves to be singled out. It's another example of Maiden doing something different.

Statistics (some notes on stats are in here, will not be repeated throughout)

Notes on rankings & ratings:
2004 was the first year I recorded Maidenfans.com statistics. Somehow, the stats for No More Lies were lost, so this year is scored out of 123 instead of 124.

The 2006 rankings were taken before the release of A Matter of Life and Death.

The 2012 rankings are taken from a Head to Head tournament, which is why they do not have accompanying ratings.

All ratings before 2014 were originally scored on a 5 star system, but had half star options. Since 2014, we have used a 1-10 system. I have adjusted the old scores to the new scale, which is why they all end in even numbers.

The polls were reset in 2008, 2011, and 2016. Original polls were taken from the Iron Maiden Commentary, and then I instituted new polls in 2008; switched when the forum software changed in 2011, and then wiped the scores in 2016 for the last time.

There are no tiebreakers.

Yearly rankings & ratings
2004: 123/123, 4.00
2005: 121/124 +2; 4.88 +0.88
2006: 118/124 +3; 5.00 +0.12
2008: 131/134 -13; 4.86 -0.14
2011: 144/144 -13; 3.32 -1.54
2012: 144/144 NC
2014: 144/144 NC; 3.57 +0.25
2015: 144/144 NC; 3.87 +0.30
2016: 155/155 -11; 3.33 -0.54

Song deviance (least to greatest)
1.68 - The Apparition

Project notes

This project will continue at the pace I have to create the posts and get them up. I’m generally not going to make too many personal comments - I originally thought it might be fun to have writeups done, but I realized we’ve already done this! Several choice comments will be posted for every song, some of them going back over a decade.

Average ratings are determined at a rolling rate; the older the score, the less it is worth. Here's the exact formula, in case you're wondering:
=(((2004*2)*0.4)+((2005*2)*0.45)+((2006*2)*0.5)+((2008*2)*0.6)+((2011*2)*0.75)+(2014*0.9)+(2015*0.95)+(2016*1))/5.55
 
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T.153: Weekend Warrior - Fear of the Dark (Harris, Gers)
Average score: 4.96/10
Fear of the Dark 2/12
Top 100: 2005


Next up is a short tune, one of Iron Maiden's shortest, that hasn't gotten a lot of love over the years, either. Interestingly enough, I think the distaste for this one is more uniform, with less people who defend it than The Apparition. This one seems to be about people who go out to football games and start problems, but unfortunately Steve's approach to solving that problem hasn't worked.

Choice comments:

It is actually a pretty good song, and quite sadly very much under-rated.
Frankly, I don't like the song at all, it's the worst on the album and among the worst they ever wrote. The solo part has some interesting moments, but that's it.
seems like maiden ran out of ideas for the FOTD album and just wanted to add another song for the hell of it. this should have been a b-side IMO.
But the song itself is just not up to it. It's just a bit too, well, predictable. However, I have spent time in the past listening to this track and really enjoying it
Once you get past the fact that it sounds like it fits better on Tattooed Millionaire than an Iron Maiden album, this is not a bad song.
I can't wait to get to the X-Factor. Re-listening to this album is bringing me down. Songs I used to like or at least tolerate have not aged well.
So, that was that. The last Maiden shit song. The early nineties are over, so finally no 1's and 2's anymore.
I dislike the song because it displays Bruce at his very worst and overall the song feels unfinished.
One nice detail is the acoustic guitar layer in chorus.
I'm surprised this is a Harris penned tune when I've always assumed this was a Dickinson penned tune.
The melodic structure, the lyrics, Bruce's vocal quality, the happy bridge, the slowed down repeat of "on Monnnnnnday"...I just hate it.


Statistics

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 6.86; 111/123
2005: 7.12 +0.26; 97/124 +14
2006: 7.00 -0.12; 103/124 -6
2008: 6.82 -0.18; 119/134 -16
2011: 4.02 -2.80; 143/144 -24
2012: 142/144 +1
2014: 3.88 -0.14; 143/144 -1
2015: 3.95 +0.07; 143/144 NC
2016: 3.72 -0.23; 153/155 -10

Song deviance (least to greatest)
1.68 - The Apparition
3.40 - Weekend Warrior
 
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I'm excited to see this getting started!

Not surprised to see Apparition as the lowest ranked Maiden, but I still maintain that Weekend Warrior is far worse. Won't argue with either of these being at the bottom though.

Interesting to see how the rating for Weekend Warrior basically plummeted starting in 2011. It went from being a high 6/low 7 to a high 3. Apparition's ranking is much more consistent.
 
T.153: Hooks in You - No Prayer For the Dying (Dickinson, Smith)
Average score: 4.96/10 Deviation: 2.22
No Prayer For the Dying 1/10


Tied with Weekend Warrior, our first trip away from Fear of the Dark. We aren't going far in the discography, however, before we land on our first entry from No Prayer For the Dying. I hope you are interested in spending some time in the early 1990s, folks, because we're going to be here for a few more songs. Famously, this is the only track from Our Lord and Saviour Adrian Smith on No Prayer, and the lyrics are said to be inspired by some meat hooks Bruce Dickinson saw installed in a house he was viewing. It's short and savage, and very few people have a lot nice to say about it, as the early 1990s miasma continues.

Choice comments:

he lyrics for this song fucking suck. Period. 100%. The music saves it somewhat, but the song still is crap.
Weird song; too un-Maidenish, with riffs and Bruce's raspy voice. The solo is good, and the riff that comes late in song digs it up a bit.
Ridiculous lyrics, average melodies. One of the worst songs of Maiden catalogue.
I don't get the hate for this one. Calling it Maiden's worst song is a bit of a stretch when songs like Weekend Warrior exist.
It's kind of fun and campy but pretty unremarkable.
This came up on my shuffle today. I listened, gave it another chance, and again found no redeeming qualities.
Janick Gers's playing on that one is especially abysmal.
it has a cool upbeat vibe, solid chorus, good solos. As for the vocals, NPFTD and FOD I feel had that same raspy style so I don't set
Hooks in a different category for that.
If people have guilty pleasures, this is mine (I feel I probably have several). I love this song.
As bad Maiden songs go, this is an OK bad song, but even 4:08 is too long for this song.
Not as bad as The Assassin

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 5.00; 122/123
2005: 4.88 -0.12; 121/124 +1
2006: 4.00 -0.88; 122/124 -1
2008: 4.58 +0.58; 133/134 -11
2011: 6.22 +1.64; 128/144 +5
2012: 139/144 -11
2014: 4.82 -1.40; 142/144 -3
2015: 4.98 +0.16; 142/144 NC
2016: 4.85 -0.13; 153/155 -11

Overall
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Albums:
No Prayer For the Dying 1/10
Fear of the Dark 2/12

Song deviance (least to greatest)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
 
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152: Chains of Misery - Fear of the Dark (Dickinson, Murray)
Average score: 5.28/10 Deviation 3.34
Fear of the Dark 3/12
Top 100: 2004


We return to Fear of the Dark for the next three songs (spoiler alert), and then we'll advance in Iron Maiden's catalog a few years. But first, Chains of Misery, which is exactly how I feel when I listen to it. Interestingly, this is one of the first Iron Maiden songs I ever heard, and it was the first one I viciously disliked. The chorus seems to put people off, but as always, there's people who like these lower ranked tracks. Keep in mind that this song scores a full 1.3 points ahead of The Apparition, so there is a gap of distaste, but anything under 6 is generally considered quite shit. Lots of Dokken references in the comments.

Choice comments:

Worst chorus ever, the drummer will fall asleep...
Thank you Dave to play this brillant solo, but it's not enough to save this song.
Totally 'un-maiden like' but still a good track - solos are great

The shouting chorus kind of annoys me though!
It's nice to hear Maiden do something a little more legere and 'ordinary', if that word is even applicable to Maiden.
I don’t understand the hate. Clearly one of the best songs Dokken ever did.

I found it amusing that this song is the only one on IMC with a Dokken comparison
Not very good, is my blunt assessment, and would be forgettable if not for the annoying chorus grating in my ears.
Wow, lots of strong feelings against this song. Not a classic by any stretch, but not a bad little rocker. Great Murray solo, and even though I'm not much of a fan of Bruce's growly vocal style, it seems to work on this tune.
Worst song from the album, worst song from the whole Di'Anno & Dickinson era
The chorus is annoying, but the rest of the song is ok in my book.
This is the first Iron Maiden song i got in a fight with my oldest son on. He just cant get it out of hes head. I tried to get him to agree another maiden song. But he wouldent listen.
No. No no no no no.

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 7.34; 100/123
2005: 5.90 -1.44; 115/124 -15
2006: 4.00 -1.90; 122/124 -7
2008: 4.54 +0.54; 134/134 -12
2011: 4.94 +0.40; 142/144 -8
2012: 143/144 -1
2014: 5.26 +0.32; 140/144 +2
2015: 5.30 +0.04; 140/144 NC
2016: 5.50 +0.20; 147/155 -7

Overall
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)

Albums:
No Prayer For the Dying 1/10
Fear of the Dark 3/12

Song deviance (least to greatest)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
 
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151: Fear is the Key - Fear of the Dark (Dickinson, Gers)
Average score: 5.32/10 Deviance: 0.92
Fear of the Dark 4/12


Fear is the Key is key to people seeming to dislike Fear of the Dark. This is a song I think had a potential to go the right way, but as a lot of people have noted, it really failed, especially in the second half of the song. This song has pretty much had an average rating throughout, slipping in the mid 00s and recovering slightly, before taking another, smaller, dive in the mid 10s. Lots of critique about the lyrics, which were cheesy. Maiden was trying to express concern about a public health crisis, and it noticeably took them away from their comfort zone.

Choice comments:


I like the songs main riff but the rest is....spoils the song for me. Especially the middle part where Bruce would scream like a chicken
I think this is one of the song which saves the album. A lot of ideas and a great use of acoustic guitar. Great Janick's solo, in a Blackmore style : Janick wasn't the Gillan's guitarist for nothing.
The vocals bring it down to a 3.
The lyrics bring it down to a -5.
It's one of my least favourite songs by Maiden and gets the same grade as The Assassin
The main riff has all the melodic appeal of a rusty gate creaking intermittently in the wind. The tempo changes don’t swoop and explode; they plod and lurch. And those times when it almost starts to get going — the pre-chorus and the instrumental part at 3:09 — it stubs its toe again.
I listened to this today and while I do not think it is as horrible as some, there is some nice things going on musically in the song .. but it is certainly in the bottom of the Maiden list.
nevermind
Underrated stuff. The riff is cool, singing sucks.
The intro sounds like a failed version of Powerslave, the verses are a bit bland, and I'm not sure what happens after 2:30, but whatever it is I don't like it.
It's cool they wanted to do something different but it's just a mess. Bruce's vocals are annoying and the whole thing is so underdeveloped.
This song is like a Donald Trump debate. It starts out coherent and it might even have a point, even if it's a little different. Then it breaks down into a rambling, incoherent mess.

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 5.90; 117/123
2005: 4.98 -0.92; 119/124 -2
2006: 4.98 NC; 119/124 NC
2008: 5.30 +0.32; 127/134 -8
2011: 5.22 -0.08; 140/144 -13
2012: 136/144 +4
2014: 5.51 +0.29; 138/144 -2
2015: 5.50 -0.01; 138/144 NC
2016: 5.15 -0.35; 149/155 -11

Overall
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)

Albums:
No Prayer For the Dying 1/10
Fear of the Dark 4/12

Song deviance (least to greatest)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
 
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150: From Here to Eternity - Fear of the Dark (Harris)
Average score: 5.36/10 Deviation: 3.76
Fear of the Dark 5/12


This song has been on a Maidenfans.com rollercoaster ride! Some people think of it as a guilty pleasure or a fun ditty, and others think it's an absolute mess, representing the worst of Iron Maiden. In 2006, this song received a 3.04/10 - the lowest individual score for a song of all time. But it started in 2004 at a 6.80, and has hovered between 5.5 and 6 ever since. After this song, we'll leave the early 90s alone to cry in a corner for awhile, as we head further towards today. At least...for a couple songs.

Choice comments:


I am sure the song fucking cooks and Janick’s whammy bar solo is one of the sublime moments in Maiden. I’ve never seen it live, but I’d love to. Seems made for the arena.
A cute track. The guitars do sound a bit happy, and Bruce does sound horrid.
This is how I imagine this song came to be:

Rod: Oy Steve, we need another single for the new album.
Steve: I thought Judas Be My Guide is...
Rod: Forget it, way too deep. Remember our last hit singles? Holy Smoke? Bring Your Daughter...? That's the stuff to make a no. 1 singe!
Steve: *grumbles* fine, I'll see what I can do.
Steve withdraws to the studio.
Steve: OK, I guess nobody will blame me for copying a bit of Bring Your Daughter... After all, everybody loved that one. Oh hell, I'll just copy the entire song. That'll teach Rod and the others.
Steve writes.
Steve: Damn, this song is so bloody shallow and pointless. Ah what the hell, I'll just throw in a Charlotte reference and the fans will love it.
Bruce listens to the demo.
Bruce: What the... first, Steve steals my first solo song and re-records it, and now he rips it off and expects me to sing on it? You know what, I'm so out of here...
Can't say I ever listen to it that much
The solos are definitely the best aspect of this song. Any tongue-in-cheek novelty in the lyrics wears a bit thin after a few listens.
One of the weakest songs on the album.
This song is fun and catchy, and though it can get annoying, I kind of like it. I'm not even giving minus points for Bruce's voice on this one.
This song is a sad attempt at revisiting older ideas. There really isn't anything good about this
It almost feels like Steve was trying to write a Maiden-ish parody of some of the stuff from Tattooed Millionaire.

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 6.80; 113/123
2005: 4.28 -2.52; 124/124 -9
2006: 3.04 -1.24; 124/124 NC
2008: 4.60 +1.56; 132/134 -8
2011: 5.88 +1.28; 134/144 -2
2012: 124/144 +10
2014: 5.91 +0.03; 135/144 -11
2015: 6.02 +0.11; 134/144 +1
2016: 5.35 -0.67; 148/155 -14

Overall
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)

Albums:
No Prayer For the Dying 1/10
Fear of the Dark 5/12

Song deviance (least to greatest)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
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)
 
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149: The Angel and the Gambler - Virtual XI (Harris)
Average score: 5.71/10 Deviation 1.95
Virtual XI 1/8


I'm quite sure everyone assumed this was the next song when I noted we'd be heading closer to today. I'm pleased to not disappoint you!
I'm quite sure everyone assumed this was the next song when I noted we'd be heading closer to today. I'm pleased to not disappoint you!
I'm quite sure everyone assumed this was the next song when I noted we'd be heading closer to today. I'm pleased to not disappoint you!
I'm quite sure everyone assumed this was the next song when I noted we'd be heading closer to today. I'm pleased to not disappoint you!
I'm quite sure everyone assumed this was the next song when I noted we'd be heading closer to today. I'm pleased to not disappoint you!
I'm quite sure everyone assumed this was the next song when I noted we'd be heading closer to today. I'm pleased to not disappoint you!

OK, all kidding aside, this Commentary thread is epic. I learned Steve Harris is a shellfish guy from no5, watched people make fun of @CriedWhenBrucieLeft for what I think is chronologically the first time, and there's at least two back-and-forth arguments over basic grammar. Statistically this one is buoyed by some very strong mid 00s performances, getting up as high as 7.00 (in the "good" range) in 2006, before plummeting faster than Donald Trump's approval ratings. Expect to see it slip lower over the next decade in the all-time rankings.

Choice comments:


Not meaning to be controversial or anything but I really do not like this song for some reason.
Don't you just love that cheesy keyboard?
virtual XI is the only album I didn't buy.....why to do so? with this song Harris makes it clear to us : I'm a shelfish guy
It's got a different feel, groovy, and it rocks hard. Sure, it's long, and you can say the chorus is repetitive, but I find myself nodding along through all 2.4x10[sup]4[/sup] choruses
This is a joke of a song from a disappointing record. We all know the repetition is horrible but the song has other fundamental problems. It isn't catchy, the vocals are bland, the solos are dull and the best thing about this song is the video.
Personally, i'll pick this one over half of X Factor.
The song would be quite good if it hadn't been repeating itself into boredom. Still, the chorus sounds like it was actually made for being repeated over and over. The last line of the chorus doesn't really feel like the last, if you catch my drift.
I find this song decent at best, it's catchy but obviously repetitive. Has a distinctly average feel to it
I've never been able to stomach this song at all.
Least favourite Maiden song from any album. Maiden don't write crap, but this is pretty... crap.
Don't get me wrong, I love Virtual XI and Blaze Bayley to pieces. But there's no saving this song, it's total crap.
God knows I've tried with this song, but I just can't like it.
However there are lots of good parts in the song, in particular I like the "angel on one side, the devil the other" part.
Yes, yes, I think you can save my life.
I guess you didn't hear me the first time.

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 5.72; 120/123
2005: 6.84 +1.12; 108/124 +12
2006: 7.00 +0.16; 103/124 +5
2008: 6.58 -0.42; 121/134 -18
2011: 5.88 -0.70; 134/144 -13
2012: 140/144 -6
2014: 5.06 -0.82; 141/144 -7
2015: 5.13 +0.07; 141/144 NC
2016: 5.05 -0.08; 151/155 -10

Overall
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)

Albums:
No Prayer For the Dying 1/10
Fear of the Dark 5/12
Virtual XI 1/8

Song deviance (least to greatest)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
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)
 
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148: Gates of Tomorrow - Dance of Death (Gers, Harris, Dickinson)
Average score: 5.72/10 Deviation: 2.82
Dance of Death 1/11


Moving a little closer to today, we'll have the first reunion-era song in our countdown. Many people found this one to be bland, though I was really impressed at 2004 @Shadow having such a strong opinion. Not that he disliked the song, just that he shared such a strong opinion. Seems like many people like it, many people dislike it, some hate it, but nobody loves it, which is pretty unusual for Maiden's catalog. This one has a lot of downs and ups statistically, posting a low of 4.02 in 2006 and a high of 6.84 in 2004, then hovering between 5 and 6 for most of the rest of the polls, with a sudden shoot up in 2014-15, followed by another plunge last year. Make up your minds!

Choice comments:

I wouldn't mind seeing them put a crap mark on this one. Awful song
I agree it is the least impressive song on DoD, but I still like it.
(Maybe it's because I'm an old Dokken fan from the 80s.)
I don't like Gates of Tomorrow. Weakest song on the album by a fair stretch. I don't think the melody has much punch, and the song doesn't seem to have much of a texture to it. The vocal style reminds me of Assassin, but the difference is that it actually suited Assassin.
An okay song, it seems really choppy and is hard to get into, though there are some cool parts it is the weakest track on the album.
Interesting and somewhat fresh sounding rocker track. On the other hand, nothing too exciting.
Though a filler, it's not as good as other songs considered as "fillers"
After the very bland opening and 1st verse the song does gain a lot of momentum.
As a developing Maidenfan this was usually the point of the album at the end of my attention span. So there's less nostalgia associated with the rest of the album for me.
The worst intro and verse section since XFactor. Chorus isn't much better and even the solos are a mess. What was the point if including this on the album?
The verse is cool with the double layered vocals. The pre chorus and chorus are huge, I think they are really strong! Absolutely one of my favorite pre choruses!

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 6.84; 112/123
2005: 5.44 -1.40; 117/124 -5
2006: 4.02 -1.42; 121/124 -4
2008: 5.00 +0.98; 130/134 -9
2011: 5.70 +0.70; 139/144 -9
2012: 133/144 +6
2014: 6.09 +0.39; 130/144 +3
2015: 6.37 +0.28; 130/144 NC
2016: 5.72 -0.55; 143/155 -7

Overall
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)

Albums:
No Prayer For the Dying 1/10
Fear of the Dark 5/12
Virtual XI 1/8
Dance of Death 1/11

Song deviance (least to greatest)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
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)
 
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Amazing to see the rankings appear now - looks epic. Sad to see The Apparition so low though, and TAATG too, both are good songs IMO. (Angel is best in the full ten minutes, rather than the shortened music video edition.)

Also, funnily enough, I got bored yesterday and decided to figure out where each song ended up by going through the rankings on here, interested to see if my math was off or not! :D

But yeah, this looks really cool, can't wait to to see where it ends! (Though I think it's not hard to guess...!)
 
147: Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter - No Prayer For the Dying (Dickinson)
Average score: 5.75/10 Deviation 2.94
No Prayer For the Dying 2/10


Back to the post-Smith, pre-Blaze era for a short stop before we head back to the early 80s for a few tracks. Famously, this song was written by Bruce for a Nightmare on Elm Street movie, and then re-recorded by Maiden, making this the only cover Iron Maiden has released on an album (and their second cover released as a single, after Women in Uniform, which, no, we are not doing that song, so don't ask). This is another one that falls off that 2005/6 cliff and then crawls back up, currently it scores much higher than its average. In fact, this song gained ground when 11 new songs from The Book of Souls were introduced, so it's becoming more and more popular with current-day Maidenfans.

Choice comments:

I don't know, this song feels somewhat awkward. To me it sounds rather happy, apart from Bruce's voice and the lyrics of course. And the chorus is just... well, complete crap.
While it’s better musically than the similar Holy Smoke, or Hooks, those dumb lyrics and raspy vocals weigh the good parts down. The song typifies why this album, for the most part, missed the mark.
Ever witnessed it live? Very nice actually. Played faster and it certainly gets the crowd going.
Embarassing in all regards except for that sweet Riggs cover.
Pretty much lacks in everything, if you ask me...
Never been a fan of this tune. Janick's solo is about it's biggest redeeming factor.
Well constructed; awesome guitar; great vocals; makes me want to leap up and punch the air when that opening guitar blasts in.
This song is creepy as all hell, with a vicious solo by Janick and the tension just builds further as the song nears it's climax. And the final chord in the song just sounds evil!
This one is actually better than I remember. Has a bit of an AC/DC vibe but slightly better than the other AC/DC Maiden song. The bridge is very cool and clearly built for the live stage.

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 7.00; 109/123
2005: 5.24 -1.76; 118/124 -11
2006: 4.06 -1.18; 120/124 -2
2008: 5.04 +1.02; 129/134 -9
2011: 5.80 +0.76; 137/144 -8
2012: 116/144 +21
2014: 5.92 +0.12; 134/144 -18
2015: 5.93 +0.01; 136/144 -2
2016: 6.39 +0.46; 133/155 +3

Overall
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)

Albums:
No Prayer For the Dying 2/10
Fear of the Dark 5/12
Virtual XI 1/8
Dance of Death 1/11

Song deviance (least to greatest)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
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)
 
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Your math probably doesn't include all the rankings going back 13 years, so I'm not sure if it will look close or not!
Well in that case, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in this list all the more! :D

(Also, Bring Your Daughter is rather low too, in my opinion it feels like one of the 'classic' Maiden songs, a little silly but a lot of fun.)
 
146: Quest For Fire - Piece of Mind (Harris)
Average score: 5.80/10 Deviation: 1.94
Piece of Mind 1/9


Our first "golden era" album and song! It's so old, it's from a time when dinosaurs walked the earth...don't blame me for not knowing dinosaurs didn't walk the earth in 1983, I learned history from Steve Harris. Fun fact - this is the lowest ranked song where nobody on the Song Commentary thread compared it to The Assassin! Statistically, this one starts off third worst, goes all the way up to a 7.00 in 2006 (good enough to have 21 songs ranked lower), and then falls back to third worst by 2011, and still hovers in the lowest 10% of songs since.

Choice comments:

Worst Maiden song ever. No doubt for me.
I quite like this song, actually. The solos are very well done, and the lyrics aren't THAT bad.
Definitely not a top class song. But also a bit underrated.
I like the intro, but it's pretty much downhill from there. Almost sounds like a parody of what they were elsewhere on the album, with an especially poor performance from Bruce.
Does this song rank near the bottom of the band’s top 150? Absolutely. Is a bad song? It’s not. The lyrics have that familiar whiff of cheddar, but it’s otherwise inoffensive, with a decent instrumental section.
I almost treat this song as a novelty song and cringed the first few times (courtesy of Bruce's vocals) I played it, but over time I've come to not mind it, it's got some ok riffs.
This is surely the worst on piece of mind, but I don't think it's that bad. Good solos.
the way Bruce sings the land was swamp and caves were HOME! I'm still thinking Nicko sneaked in from behind and pinched his balls at that particular moment. Puts a smile on my face every time, anyway.
It almost feels like it could be a long lost Dio song. Don't get me wrong, it's not great. It's just not awful either. I heard worse songs on Killers than this.
The very opening is a delightfully jagged riff, grabbing your attention as it forces your brain to guess at the beat. A soaring and melodic vocal, well-crafted counterpoint on the harmony section, superb solos.

Statistics
Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 5.36; 121/123
2005: 6.72 +1.36; 110/124 +21
2006: 7.00 +0.28; 103/124 +7
2008: 6.78 -0.22; 120/134 -17
2011: 5.06 -1.72; 141/144 -21
2012: 131/144 +10
2014: 5.34 +0.18; 139/144 -8
2015: 5.42 +0.08; 139/144 NC
2016: 5.71 +0.29; 144/155 -5

Overall
148 - 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)

Albums:
Piece of Mind 1/9
No Prayer For the Dying 2/10
Fear of the Dark 5/12
Virtual XI 1/8
Dance of Death 1/11

Song deviance (least to greatest)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
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)
 
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QFF and Weekend Warrior so low? I know they're scoffed at a bit but I'm genuinely surprised, as they're both quite well put together songs, just not to everyone's taste.
 
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