Top 10 Best Iron Maiden Songs

We're talking about the godfathers of heavy metal, a band that's been melting faces and tearing up the stage for over 40 years: none other than Iron Maiden! These guys are the real deal, delivering face-melting guitar solos, earth-shattering vocals, and tales so epic they could fill the Book of Souls.

Deciding which Maiden tracks reign supreme is like choosing your favorite Eddie. It's almost impossible, right? That's why we've let you, the die-hard fans, unleash Hell in a voting frenzy to determine the ultimate Iron Maiden anthems.

Whether you're a battle-hardened veteran of classics like "Run to the Hills" and "The Trooper," or you prefer to delve into the dark abyss with tracks like "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "Fear of the Dark," this list has got you covered. So strap in, crank up the volume, and get ready for an auditory onslaught that only the mighty Iron Maiden can deliver. Up the Irons!

The Top Ten

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Number 1 Iron Maiden song. Steve is in top form. When is he not, anyway? Since this magical jewel came out, it has had everything, both instrumentally and vocally with The Air Siren. This song moves through your body and mind. It is so powerful and simply brilliant. You get pulled right into the song.
Nothing can compete with it if you love metal. It stays with you for life. Maiden has a lot of amazing songs, especially from their early days. Running Free, the legendary riffs on Phantom of the Opera, and their anthem. Gonna get you, wherever you are, no matter how far.
Once Maiden gets into your head, they never leave.

Not only is it their best song, but it's one of the best songs of all time. I know people say that about lots of things, but believe me, I'm not exaggerating. If this were as well-known as some stuff by Led Zeppelin, Queen, Metallica, and AC/DC, you could bet money it would be considered one of the best songs ever made. Those guitar riffs have such emotion and power.
The guitar solo is truly legendary. The singing is excellent, and the lyrics are about a man who is about to be executed, reflecting on his life and facing his death. I get goosebumps every time during that divine guitar solo and the "Hallowed Be Thy Name!" And you'd have to be dead or a robot not to.
The Trooper

Honestly, I'm surprised Run to the Hills and Number of the Beast are below this, but maybe rightly so. This is perhaps the greatest song ever. Just listen to the intro, it explains everything.

The amazing guitar ever played by Iron Maiden is simply awesome, superb, and breathtaking. The composition of this song in all aspects is incredible. Don't forget Steve Harris. The guitar and drums composition and the lyrics of the song make you think.

While I adore Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Trooper still takes the cake for me by a tiny bit. It's the first Iron Maiden song I heard, and it blew me away. That chorus always gets me pumped up. The iconic riffs and that solo are awesome. It's short but sweet.
Fear of the Dark

No matter how much I like other songs with more complex and deeper meanings, I never get bored with this song. It's like my brain cannot comprehend how beautiful it is. The intro melody is so timeless I cannot describe it.
Not only that, but the verses, chorus, guitar solos, and outro fit together so perfectly. It's one of those metal songs that had to be written sooner or later.
If you like the studio version, just wait until you hear the Rock in Rio live version.

This song is awesome, and every time I hear it, I go to another planet.
Honestly, this is maybe the greatest song ever. Just listen.
Best metal song and album ever recorded. Every single song on that album is amazing, and the album's concept of the individual versus the mass (like Rush's 2112) is simply an Ayn Rand-worthy idea.
Maybe... So much to say.
The Number of the Beast

This song has done in four minutes and fifty-one seconds what countless other songs have failed to do. From the dark and unnerving passage from Revelations, to the heart-racing guitar riff, to the evil and awe-inspiring lyrics, the rapid head-banging drumbeat, and the mind-numbing, spine-chilling, lightning-fast, electrifying guitar solo, this song is an anthem of Iron Maiden and of all heavy metal.
It is the epitome of metal, the icon of everything it stands for, and it will never be conquered. Listen to this song as I am now, see that all I've said is true, and hear with it all the triumph and glory of heavy metal.

The Number of the Beast is the best musical piece Iron Maiden have ever brought to life. There's everything in it, but it doesn't feel stuffed. There are not many songs in the history of heavy metal that have this uniqueness.
The lyrics are just perfect. They capture the real heavy metal psyche, describing the global hell-raising in economics, actual wars, and pretty much everything else "negative" in life in early '80s Great Britain. Heavy metal is "a little household hell-raising for everybody."
That's The Number of the Beast.
Timeless.
Cheers,
Martin
Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Most of Maiden's songs would be number ones for any other band. And Maiden is the only band I know that sounds better live than in the studio. The live version of this song just rocks.
It has everything: piercing guitar solos, tempo changes, wicked drums and bass, and of course, the storytelling of Bruce.
This is simply metal at its best. Maiden is the greatest metal band of all time. No question.

Simply an epic adventure in the form of music. I love this song, and it has an awesome climactic piece that still gives me goosebumps. This was at a time when Iron Maiden truly owned the metal world.
It's brilliant on every front: the singing, the guitars, the bass, the drums - everything that Iron Maiden can bring was brought in this single song. I'd bet they themselves would say this was their best work.
Run to the Hills

To truly appreciate the brilliance of this song, you have to dissect it. The song has three parts and tells a story from three perspectives. Part one presents a Native American Indian's perspective. Note the drums and guitar, which sound like the music played at a pow-wow.
Part two offers an American soldier's viewpoint. Note the change in tempo, which gives the feel of a horse galloping. "Riding through dust clouds and barren wastes."
Part three provides a third-party witness point of view. Up the Irons.

Bruce Dickinson is, in my opinion, the second-best singer ever. Although the drums, bass, and guitar are good in this song, the vocals will stick with you forever. The simple line "Run to the hills, run for your life" is amazing, let alone the rest of the song. Also, it's one of my favorite songs of all time.
Aces High

Maiden rules! Aces High is just a great opening track to the album as well as being a fast and gripping tune, especially when you know all the lyrics. When you are driving your car and listening to this song, all of a sudden you're flying a plane in a dogfight.

The song that made me discover them in 1984 had good lyrics. The video was just like a good old war movie. Nicko's drumming is not random for a change (after Somewhere in Time). Too bad Dickinson can't sing it live in the studio. The vocals were at their best with this song. Do not listen to the Live After Death version, please.
Phantom of the Opera

I really love nearly every song by Iron Maiden, but I have to say that this one always blows my mind. I especially love the guitar part in the middle. It just fits in so perfectly.
Steve Harris is at his best, and that's on their first officially released album. Other bands like Metallica needed at least one album before finding their amazing, unique sound, but Maiden got it from the start. Up the Irons!

I know everybody has their favorite and many will disagree, but in my opinion, this song is Iron Maiden. It perfectly combines the raw, aggressive style of the Di'Anno era with the melodic elements that distinguish Maiden today.
If I had to pick one Iron Maiden song, it would always be this one. I think it's not only the best song of the Di'Anno era but also the best Maiden song overall and probably the most exciting song in the history of Heavy Metal.
Dance of Death

This song defines the word "epic." In the first 2:50, you hear Bruce tell a story, and you know what he's talking about. Then comes the brilliant level of musicianship from Janick Gers and Steve Harris - a classic Maiden all the way through, with mind-boggling lyrics.
All three guitarists play a guitar solo, and then comes some melody. The song ends with Bruce finishing the story. If you like metal and epic fantasy stories, this will be your favorite song ever.
Maiden at their absolute best.

This was the first and the best heavy metal song I ever heard. I got attracted to metal and Iron Maiden only because of this song. I've heard many other performances by Iron Maiden, but nothing made such a great impression as Dance of Death.
It's a wonderful song. I listen to it almost every day. It's better than Fear of the Dark in all aspects. There are always many metal bands, but Iron Maiden excels in both metal and music.
Hats off!
2 Minutes to Midnight

I'm surprised this isn't in the top 10. This song is by far the most energetic and memorable for me out of the entirety of Iron Maiden's collection. I mean, the entire Powerslave album is legendary as it is. This song is my favorite out of them all.

This should be in the top five. It's an awesome song with great energy. It has that raw sound that kind of stretches the norm of Maiden's usual modus operandi. If you're feeling down, this tune will definitely make you want to get up and kick life in the teeth.

Excellent intro and outstanding lyrics. This is one of the most relevant songs about the Cold War and nuclear weapons. It's surprising that it's not in the top ten.

The Newcomers

?
Hell on Earth

This one's got a Celtic feel to it, and also, starting sometime around 7 minutes or so, Iron Maiden becomes a hardcore prog rock band, and then the song explodes.
Love in anger, life in danger. Best Iron Maiden lyrics of the past 20 years.

This is one of the best Iron Maiden songs I've heard in a while. This should definitely be in the top 20 or even top 10!

My favorite from Maiden's latest album. Grand opening and imposing vocals by Bruce
?
The Writing on the Wall

I voted for this so it can get recognition because it is new.
What do I think of this one? It's great! The riffs are badass, Bruce's vocals still sound amazing despite him being freaking old now, and the solo is incredible. Strangely, though, my favorite part about the song is the video. Ain't spoiling it, but it's really awesome.

They recently released this song on July 15, 2021. I gotta say, this is a banger!

The Contenders

Wasted Years

This song is total gold. I mean, the intro is totally mind-blowing - one of Maiden's best, along with Run to the Hills and Trooper. But the rhythm in this one, as a whole song, is something unique. Ecstasy. And the lyrics speak to me, deeply.
Still, I am surprised some legendary classics are so low on this list. Charlotte the Harlot is right now at 97, for example. Prisoner? Revelations? Powerslave? To mention a few. Also, check out Infinite Dreams. The intro sets my mind into a calm state.
Anyway, this is just proof that Iron Maiden is the best band in the world. Right now, Hallowed Be Thy Name is leading this list solidly. I was a little bit surprised to not see one of the other classics as number 1, but when I think about it, I think it's defining for other songs and a masterpiece composed brilliantly. I love these old songs the most, but I got into Maiden through Brave New World, definitely an epic album with progressive songs that make me fall into a trance. Wait, all the good songs they have make me do that. Anyway, the new stuff is good too. El Dorado is real rock. I love that album because I want to say if you don't think the new stuff is good, Rainmaker could be on the top five album list, I think.
Powerslave

Hard to pick one Maiden song as their best, but this song is so amazing. Every bit of it is tantalizing and endlessly mesmerizing. I sing every word with undying passion every time. It's a song that is impossible to get sick of, no matter how many times I listen to it.
I love the composition, and the breakdown and solo in the middle just kick unmerciful ass. This song is like sustenance. I feel so riled up and energetic after listening to it. The word epic is thrown around too often, but it is a perfect descriptor of this amazing track off my favorite Maiden album, the one that made me fall in love with this band.

Bruce is definitely underrated as a songwriter, but this song is an essential Iron Maiden track. Steve is a great instrumental writer, but I really enjoyed the fact that Bruce wrote the whole song, and he is a great storyteller.
I really enjoy the change near the end where it goes from the instrumental solo back into the hammering guitar riff. I think Bruce should have done more.
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

An underrated masterpiece off the brilliant concept album of the same name.
A criminally underrated song by plenty of Maiden fans, which utilizes synthesizers in a brilliant way to create an atmospheric piece of musical brilliance.
This is a song that proves Iron Maiden is the greatest/most talented band ever.

Best Iron Maiden song ever. It is just amazing. The song has one of the best instrumental pieces in it out of every Iron Maiden song ever made. Why is it not number one?

Out of all the epicness that Iron Maiden has released, this is the pinnacle. The solos and guitar dueling, the arrangement - everything is wonderful to the very end.
Paschendale

Listening to this song, you can't help but feel agitated, exhilarated, awakened, and moved to emotion all in one. It's a masterpiece (or perhaps master-peace). I have so many favorite Maiden songs (like all of us must have), so choosing one is like choosing between your own kids (assuming you have as many kids as great Maiden songs).
I say this because like any vote on a Maiden song, there is an element of guilt felt for the other songs. (Apologies to Hallowed Be Thy Name, ROTAM, FTGGOG, Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, Face in the Sand, Ghost of the Navigator, PowerSlave, TMTM, etc., you get the point). What a strange series of things to say as a seemingly sane person (albeit perhaps a Maiden devotee), but that is life as a Maiden fan.
My first metal album of Maiden was The Number of the Beast, original issue on vinyl. I still have this album and keep it in my bedroom. Thirty-five-plus years later and it is just as epic. Take care all and fingers crossed that Maiden and Bruce (as a soloist) keep producing so many life-defining moments in their music and tours. Peace out.
The Evil that Men Do

Don't get me wrong. Aces High, Run to the Hills, Blood Brothers, Fear of the Dark, and The Phantom of the Opera are all fantastic songs. But this song, in my personal list, is higher than all of them because the vocals, guitars, bass, and drums are absolutely perfect.
This is one of Maiden's best songs without a doubt, so vote up!

Do the math. This is the best song from Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is the best album of Iron Maiden. So, The Evil That Men Do is the best song of Iron Maiden. It's a very beautiful song with perfect guitar work on the part of the razor's edge and a great solo that's catchy.
When the Wild Wind Blows

This song is proof that music still exists. Iron Maiden has never flopped on any album, especially not The Final Frontier. This song is amazing as heck, and I believe it belongs in the epic tier with songs like Hallowed Be Thy Name and Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

What is wrong with this list?
I know that this song is a newer song off an album that came out in 2010, but if you can't see that this is one of the best songs ever, then you must be deaf. This song may not be their best song ever (that's Rime of the Ancient Mariner), but it deserves to be higher than the 18th spot. It should be in the top ten for sure.
Blood Brothers

Bruce Dickinson's vocals are amazing, and everyone is absolutely at the top with their instrument!
You can tell that a lot of composition and thought went into this song because it says almost exactly how I feel about the world today. Very expressive and excellently laid out. Great work, Iron Maiden.
This song really speaks to me because of the lyrics and how Bruce Dickinson expresses himself. This song is underrated when it really has an excellent sound and the lyrics are so well composed!

Iron Maiden is the only competition for Iron Maiden. After hearing this song, no one will be surprised to even see "Blood Brothers" above "Hallowed Be Thy Name." This song is so epic. It is living proof that Iron Maiden is the only heavy metal band that can evoke any kind of emotional feelings through metal music. It's a must-hear.
The solo by Janick after the pause in the middle is my mobile ringtone. You'll get crazy about this song after hearing it.
Alexander the Great

This is a totally awesome song. I've listened to it 1,000 times and I never get tired of it. I use the opening quote "My son, ask for thyself your own kingdom, for that which I leave is too small for thee" with my kids to help motivate them to aspire to great things. The story, lyrics, and arrangement are spectacular!

Probably my favorite from Somewhere in Time, though Deja Vu comes very close. When it comes to Iron Maiden talking about history, this one is the best. The vocals are great as always, and the instrumental section is phenomenal, along with the rapping-sounding vocals later on.
Sign of the Cross

Blaze gets too much hate from the fans for no reason other than that he didn't fit Iron Maiden. Blaze is great, though, and some of his songs have become some of my favorites, especially Sign of the Cross. A lot of people prefer the Rock in Rio version because Bruce sings it instead, but I differ.
Rock in Rio is good too, but Blaze just does it better in my opinion. His darker, lower vocals fit way more. Many Maiden fans are always so biased towards Bruce. They need to stop at this point.
I love the amazing solos and the epic chorus.

This is inarguably Blaze Bayley's best work with Maiden. It has that quiet, spooky intro that builds up into strong lyrics by Blaze. Janick and Dave's solos are brilliant in this song. Steve is brilliant as usual. It's a remarkable piece of work.
This is the story of a man who feels he has sinned too much and thinks he doesn't deserve God's love, which eventually leads him to turn to Satan. He's afraid of God's punishment. It's an epic piece that is haunting and very underrated and deserves a top-20 place at least.
Flight of Icarus

This song shows that Bruce is the best metal singer there ever was. It's my favorite Iron Maiden song after Hallowed Be Thy Name, and since Hallowed is first, this song deserves the vote. The guitar solo is amazing.
The lyrics are a reference to the Greek story of Icarus, and as I mentioned, the vocals are Dickinson's best.

This is the best song from Piece of Mind. And yes, to me, it's even better than The Trooper. Even though I like Di'Anno and Dickinson equally, I have to give it to the second guy. The vocals are awesome!
Revelations

Yeah, Revelations takes it for me. Piece of Mind was my first Iron Maiden album, and it's my favorite album too. Revelations just connected with me. I can't get enough of it!
Some of my other favorites are Can I Play with Madness, Still Life, The Wicker Man, Powerslave, Dream of Mirrors, and of course, so many more. Iron Maiden is amazing! So glad I was introduced to the band.

The live version of this song from "Live After Death" is unbelievable. I mean, Bruce has the most amazing live voice I've ever heard in metal! This song has everything: melodies, slow and fast sections, solos, and more! Definitely top 5 in my opinion.
Killers

Was there any doubt that this song wouldn't make it to the list? Having one of the best intros, you just have to love the bass riff in the beginning. Di'Anno's vocals in the second album far outmatch those in the first album.
I'm not hating on the first album. I love Iron Maiden and it has some sick songs in it. It's just that when I think of Iron Maiden, the first song that comes to my mind is this one.
The solos are as great as the riffs, and the vocals are just beautiful.

I like the raw sound, not just from Paul, but from Steve's bass as well. His picking style is more outstanding and makes Maiden rawer. This is solid music created by a small band with limited means at that time.
It's a shame that Paul's stage fear was so bad that he had to get drunk and later got sacked because of that.
Wrathchild

It was hard for me to decide between Iron Maiden and Wrathchild. Both of them are just pure, mind-blowing heavy metal masterpieces, but since I've crossed the limit already, I decided to choose this one because it appeals to me a little bit more.
I don't get why this song isn't seen in top 10s more often. Well, at least it made it in MY Top 10 list (more like top 12 list, but whatever). I still hope that this song remains on the list.

When it comes to Paul songs, I've got plenty. Prowler is my favorite one, and others include Killers, Transylvania, and Purgatory. Wrathchild is my second favorite.
The bass is incredible, the vocals are great, and it's just such a groovy song. I love it.
The Prisoner

This song defines all that makes Iron Maiden. The bass is always audible. The drumming is superb, and the sheer number of fantastic riffs that make up this song is why I love this song.
Bruce's vocals are great and very distinctive, almost operatic. One of the best songs ever off one of the best albums ever.
Why this song is down here can only be explained by the wealth of masterpieces that Iron Maiden has produced over the years. For me, this song is one of their best.

God damn, this is really overlooked compared to Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Number of the Beast, and even 22 Acacia Avenue. I think this is better than those three songs except for Hallowed.
The opening drum and riffs are just so cool. The solo is a freaking work of art, and that chorus - oh boy, that chorus. "Not a prisoner, I'm a free man!" It's my favorite chorus of all time.
Infinite Dreams

Not only one of the greatest Iron Maiden songs, but also one of the best songs in music in general. How couldn't it be?
It's an epic multi-part suite, six minutes long, and it's incredibly beautiful, epic, and deep. It also has a moment that should be a landmark in rock music: that "HELP ME! Help me to find my true self without seeing the future!"
So yes, I love "Hallowed Be Thy Name," "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "Phantom of the Opera," etc. But I think this is, by far, their best song.

My favorite Maiden song ever.
For me, this is the highest level the band reached - the top. Bruce's voice is incredible and powerful here, alongside the incredible changing parts and harmonies of this epic song about life and death.
And oh, how I love that jumping riff!..."Help me!" I've always dreamed about being at a Maiden concert, jumping to that riff!
10/10.