"Cross-Eyed Mary" from The Trooper B-side (1983)
This Jethro Tull song is obviously a great song from the landmark album Aqualung. But Maiden was able to Maidenize it and make it a metal jewel. The real highlight that makes it so special is Bruce's performance. I believe during the chorus he reaches some of his higher notes ever recorded on this one. Absolutely fantastic. It's my favorite cover song of all times.
"Burning Ambition" from Running Free B-Side (1980)
"Burning Ambition" was recorded in November 1979 as a 4-piece band just prior to hiring Dennis Stratton & Clive Burr. It is one of the few recordings to feature Doug Sampson on drums. It is one of Harris' earliest compositions. The song did not appear on an album until it was included in the Best of the 'B' Sides compilation, released as part of the Eddie's Archive Boxset, and was featured in the soundtrack of The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days DVD documentary. I wanted to include at least one of Paul Di'Anno's songs and while not an amazing song, it's already pretty impressive given how young Steve was. With that said, it sounds very similar to other songs from the first two album. It's worth checking.
"I've Got the Fire" from Flight of Icarus B-side (1983)
This is a cover of the song "I Got the Fire" from the Montrose album Paper Money. Iron Maiden originally released a live cover of the song during the Paul Di'Anno era, on 1980 single, "Sanctuary", however this version features Bruce Dickinson on vocals and is a studio production. It's a killer song which originally is more a bluesy hard rock. But Maiden completely metalized with soaring guitars, Nicko groove and with Bruce again breaking everything (actually the final scream sounds a lot like the one in the "Flight of Icarus").
"Total Eclipse" sounds so much like a classic Maiden song. It was really a mistake to leave it out of 1982's The Number of the Beast. (an opinion that both Bruce and Steve share and some CD editions of the album features it). It's a short and straightforward song. The intro chords followed by a guitar riff and then the build up drum fill is fantastic. By the way, similar intro was used in 2000's Brave New World title track. The song follows with an interesting structure and Bruce's soaring vocals. Another highlight is the bridge after the guitar solo, slow tempo and with Bruce reaching for the high notes.
"Charlotte the Harlot '88" from The Evil That Men Do B-side (1988)
The prequel to "22 Acacia Avenue", "Charlotte the Harlot" is a great song from the debut album. That's already a deep cut which was played on that tour and almost never again. It's the only Maiden song credited to Dave Murray alone. I love the song groove and how it changes completely with the slow bridge before exploding into the guitar solo. It also closes extremely well by returning to the intro riff. And this studio version with Bruce is pure awesomeness.Spotify Play Count (studio version): 3,152,502 or 1.9% of The Trooper
"The Assassin (live)" from Wasting Love B-side (1992)
1990's No Prayer for the Dying is another often overlooked album. And there are several good and some great songs in there. "The Assassin" being one of my favorites and not very talked about. It was played live during that tour and a live recording is found in the Wasting Love single from 1992. I think it's a powerful song, it has that era vibe but it holds up against some of the more well-known songs. It brings back some elements from the first albums (like the gang vocals) and I just love how Bruce sings the chorus.
Spotify Play Count (studio version): 993,541 or 0.6% of The Trooper
"Lord Of The Flies" from Death On the Road (2005)
"Lord of the Flies" is one of the best songs of the underrated The X Factor and when I saw it live with Bruce I went crazy. The way Bruce sings the bridge and specially the first chorus is ridiculous. It's even more impressive after the guitar solo, when he sings first with a lower registry just before exploding with the high notes. What an interpretation! I also like the live mix with 3 guitars. In sum, this version is as good any classic Maiden song. Goosebumps.
Spotify Play Count: 631,647 or 0.4% of The Trooper
"Blood On The World's Hands" from The X Factor (1995)
The intro—acoustic bass solo by itself is already worth to listen to this hidden jewel. A song writing choice that Steve hasn't used much. The closest to it previously was 1981's "Innocent Exile" and recently "Red and The Black" intro is very similar. This is track number 8 of an album overlooked by most Maiden fans. It was played live during the Blazey era but never again, so to me it's a very deep cut. A live version was released with the single The Angel & The Gambler. Overall it's a great song. The verse vocal melody is pretty cool and also the guitar chord progression during the chorus. It's a song (like most of the album) designed for Blazey's vocals, so it works.
Spotify Play Count: 668,801 or 0.4% of The Trooper
"Quest for Fire" from Piece of Mind (1983)
On the B side of the massive 1983's Piece of Mind, Harris' Quest for Fire follows a great sequence of 5 classic Maiden songs. Probably for that reason it has never been played live. But still it's a crime to overlook it. First, the intro riff is really cool and it may have been written close to The Trooper's because it's very similar. Second, Bruce delivers in the first verse what is probably his highest note on record. It's impressive. Other than that it's just a very consistent song with the rest of the album.
Spotify Play Count: 2,862,003 or 1.7% of The Trooper
"The Prophecy" from Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1998)
I remember when this album came out, I was surprised that "The Prophecy" didn't make it to the setlist of that tour (and it has never been played live). They should've played the whole album as it is a concept album and one of their best. Anyways, that's to say how much I like it. Never played live and on the B side of the album, many may not have given it the due credit. The slow and quiet intro is beautiful and sets the mood just before exploding with a powerful guitar and bass duo riff. The structure is very simple, verse/bridge/chorus then solos plus riffs and repeat. Now, how the solo finishes giving space to Bruce to start the verse 2 is so amazing. Then there's the catchy verse, and an amazing bridge. In fact, it's a very unique bridge. Bruce sings it with at least 3 tracks, alternating voices and juxtaposing lyrics, it's fantastic. It also closes with the acoustic beautiful arpeggio, similar to the intro, so good.
Spotify Play Count: 2,996,355 or 1.8% of The Trooper
"Deja - Vu" from Somewhere in Time (1986)
From my favorite Maiden album, "Deja-vu" is such a great song. From the slow intro, almost like 1983's "Still Life", to the catchy two part chorus, and several guitar duos, the song exemplifies the whole album. But for some reason it doesn't get the needed attention and it has never been played live.
Spotify Play Count: 3293867 or 2.0% of The Trooper
"Isle of Avalon" from The Final Frontier (2010)
The Final Frontier tour was probably the only one I could go but didn't since 1992. One of the reasons was because some of my favorite songs from the album were not on the setlist, most notably Isle of Avalon. I liked this 9-min song from the first time I heard it. The almost 3-min build up part with the 3 guitars and Steve's bass is just great. And it culminates with Bruce screaming "I can't hear you" before entering the powerful verse. Luckily we get the same build up after the solo. The whole song structure and melody is just fantastic.
Spotify Play Count: 2,112,748 or 1.3% of The Trooper
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