One could argue that the only metal band in the world right now bigger than Iron Maiden is Metallica. Nearly 45 years into the recording career, Maiden still packs arenas and stadiums across the globe, and many fans eagerly devour their new music. Unlike many of their peers, Maiden don’t have mainstream hits the average person in America knows, although “Run to the Hills” comes close thanks to its early MTV exposure.
The British band have always preferred more-epic tracks over shorter songs that could be radio fodder, although they have scored a number of Top-10 hits in their homeland. One of their most accessible albums is Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988) as it is generally more melodic and features background keyboards for color—and even then it’s still pretty Maiden sounding. No pop crossover. And let’s face it – people love mascot Eddie, who appears on every album and single cover the band have ever done.
Yet even within the iconic group’s repertoire of lofty and often lengthy tunes, they have more easily digestible tracks that, like other works in their catalog, explore diverse subject matter that often surpasses what people expect for heavy metal fodder. Beyond the music itself, that thematic diversity has helped the band stand out from most of their peers. And after all these years, the classic lineup of singer Bruce Dickinson, guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, bassist Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain, along with six-stringer Janick Gers (who joined in 1990 to replace Smith for nearly a decade) continue to thrive live and in the studio.
The following seven cuts exemplify Maiden in a more “accessible” mode that could lure in rock fans curious about the heavier stuff.
This was the lead single from their fourth album, and it was the first mid-tempo song used to promote the band. Frontman Bruce Dickinson championed the track and its majestic choruses, and it turned out to be their first and only Top 10 mainstream rock radio track in America. It’s the dramatic retelling of the story of Icarus, except in this alternate version his father actually allows his son to fly towards the sun, which leads to disaster.
One of the few Maiden tunes written solely by guitarist Adrian Smith, this one features a powerful guitar hook and rousing vocal harmonies. As it’s a song dealing with making the most of the time that you have—moving forward and not lamenting regrets—it’s universal in theme. That lyrical theme combined with the power of the music makes it something that plenty of Maiden newbies could get into.
