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We take a look at the classic Iron Maiden songs and decide the best of the best to from this Top 10.

10. Flight Of Icarus (Piece Of Mind – 1983)

Steve Harris has said that releasing this in the States before bedding it in live was a mistake, that’s despite it peaking at #8 on the Billboard Charts there. He felt it was too slow, but over time, this has become a steady fan favourite. Based loosely on the Greek myth of Icarus, Bruce altered the story a touch to make it more about teenage rebellion against authority.

9. The Evil That Men Do (Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son – 1988)

A straight-up fan sing-a-long monster. This is pure Iron Maiden magic. Galloping triplets, howling solos, great storytelling and vocals from Bruce Dickinson. This was their second single from their seventh album, and it’s at this stage of the top 10 that I realise, this list is bloody hard to do.

8. Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (Powerslave – 1984)

A musical re-telling of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner it became their longest song to date at 13 minutes and 45 seconds. This is just pure storytelling at its best. With so many parts brought together to form the story, it’s a live fan favourite due to the many moods and structures. Listening to the creaking of the wood during the quieter section, Bruce almost whispering his story, the haunting bassline accompanying it, it’s just so perfect.

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7. The Trooper (Piece Of Mind – 1983)

This is the song that most would remember best when you mention the Piece Of Mind album. Not least of all because of that instantly recognisable harmonized opening riff. An absolute stand out written by bassist Steve Harris, based on the Charge Of The Light Brigade at The Battle Of Balaclava in 1854. Performed in the traditional Iron Maiden gallop vibe we know only too well, it really does invoke a battlefield on horseback feeling.

6. Aces High (Powerslave – 1984)

Foot flat to the floor, engines set to warp speed, this beast, written again by bassist Steve Harris goes inside the mind of a British RAF pilot fighting the German Luftwaffe during the Battle Of Britain. The film clip features the Winston Churchill ‘We Shall Fight Them On The Beach” at the beginning, and is often used as a show opener, due to the energy that oozes from every part of short (by Iron Maiden standards) piece of metal magic.

5. Fear Of The Dark (Fear Of The Dark – 1992)

The title (and closing) track from the bands ninth studio album is a perfect example of how to close out a record. WITH BALLS. So often albums fade away at the end, but not in this case, they certainly saved the best till last. When the song is performed live, the audience always sings along to the instrumental melody during the softer sections, and you simply can’t help but get caught up in that, such is the emotion of an Irons gig!

4. Run To The Hills (The Number Of The Beast – 1982)

Written about the conflict between European settlers in the New World and the Native Americans during the time of colonisation, from both perspectives. Adapting the ever familiar and distinctly Iron Maiden galloping rhythm, this Bruce Dickinson debut with the band is certainly one of the most played and well known Iron Maiden songs around the world. Not only a true Maiden classic, but one of the most classic metal songs of all time.

3. The Number Of The Beast (The Number Of The Beast – 1982)

This. Is. The. Business. The moment British actor Barry Clayton starts reciting Revelations 12:12 and Revelations 13:18, it sends chills up your spine. You know what’s coming. Nearly 5 minutes of pure Maiden fury. Written by Steve Harris after a scary dream he had from watching Damien: Omen II, in addition to a poem by Robert Burns.

2. 2 Minutes To Midnight (Powerslave – 1984)

Instantly recognisable and a monster fan favourite at live shows, this was the band’s first single to eclipse the 5 minute mark, which in time would become the norm for Iron Maiden. Speaking of minutes, the title refers to the doomsday clock, the symbolic clock (the hands that threaten doom) used by the Bulletin Of Atomic Scientists, which represents a countdown to global nuclear catastrophe. And just for the record, it’s currently at 2 minutes to midnight. (Thanks Kim and Donald).

1. Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Number Of The Beast – 1982)

One of the greatest heavy metal songs of ALL TIME and easily the one to top this list. Steve Harris yet again was the man responsible for this one and features some of his most powerful and insightful lyrics. A prisoner, being led away to hang, isn’t normally where you’d find greatness. However the lyrics are so powerful, and the music so dialled in, this is like a movie, or short film and fans just gravitate and connect with the levity of it all. The end is coming for our protagonist, and takes him away, and we’re there for the final moments and retrospect. Steve Harris, take a bow, this is EPIC songwriting.

The truth is, there are just so many epic Maiden tracks that 10 just isn't enough, so here's our I Like: Iron Maiden playlist on Spotify...

 - Higgo