Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

[2025] A roundup of IRON MAIDEN’s popular and classic songs

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

Formed in 1975 and boasting an activity history approaching 50 years, Iron Maiden is the ultimate heavy metal band, still going strong as a fully active act in the 2020s.

In September 2024, they realized their first Japan tour in about six years, electrifying metalheads across the country—a memory still fresh for many.

For those who’ve recently become interested in this iconic band—emblematic of heavy metal not only for their music but also for their mascot “Eddie,” a figure even people who haven’t heard their songs have likely seen—this article compiles and introduces their signature and most popular tracks.

The lineup also includes songs frequently performed at recent live shows, so be sure to check it out!

[2025] IRON MAIDEN Popular and Classic Songs Summary (41–50)

Number Of The BeastIron Maiden

Iron Maiden – Number Of The Beast (The Book Of Souls: Live Chapter)

Number Of The BeastIron Maiden

Iron Maiden, legends of the heavy metal world.

This is one of their hit numbers, and the bass is absolutely the best.

Your attention tends to go to the guitar work and vocals, but Steve Harris’s bass—starting from the intro—has a presence that rivals the guitars.

The way he executes his role to perfection makes him a man among men.

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Another rock and roll ChristmasIron Maiden

Another rock n roll Christmas

Another rock and roll ChristmasIron Maiden

This is a Christmas song sung by Paul Di’Anno, the original vocalist of Iron Maiden, often credited as pioneers of heavy metal.

You might think heavy metal is a mismatch for Christmas, but Paul Samson’s bold guitar playing turns it into a uniquely fitting track for the holiday.

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The Reincarnation Of Benjamin BreegIron Maiden

Iron Maiden – The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg (Official Video)

The Reincarnation Of Benjamin BreegIron Maiden

It’s included on the 2006 album “A Matter of Life and Death.” The contrast between the wistful sections and the hard sound is really cool.

Bruce Dickinson’s straightforward vocals resonate deeply in my heart.

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The Longest DayIron Maiden

The Longest Day (2015 Remaster)

The Longest DayIron Maiden

A song themed around the Normandy landings of World War II is included on A Matter of Life and Death, the album released in August 2006 by Iron Maiden, the pinnacle of British heavy metal.

Marked by heavy guitar riffs and powerful vocals, the track vividly depicts the horrific scenes of the battlefield and the anguish of the soldiers, delivering a strong message about the inhumanity and sacrifices of war.

Its epic seven-and-a-half-minute structure fully showcases the band’s technical mastery, making it a recommended listen not only for heavy metal fans but also for those interested in history.

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Tears of a ClownIron Maiden

Iron Maiden – Tears of a Clown [Lyrics]

Tears of a ClownIron Maiden

A track by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

It was inspired by comedian and actor Robin Williams, who died by suicide in August 2014 after suffering from depression and health issues.

The track is included on their 2015 album, The Book of Souls.

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The PrisonerIron Maiden

Iron Maiden – The Prisoner (1982)

The PrisonerIron Maiden

A song included on Iron Maiden’s third album, The Number of the Beast, released in 1982.

It features an opening narration by Patrick McGoohan, which the band obtained from a tape owned by DJ Tommy Vance.

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The Ides of MarchIron Maiden

The Ides of March (2015 Remaster)

The Ides of MarchIron Maiden

An instrumental track that left a powerful mark on the band’s history.

Opening the album Killers, released in February 1981, this song lasts just 1 minute and 46 seconds, yet it’s packed with the energetic performance that is quintessential Iron Maiden.

Its stylistic beauty—showcased through dramatically interwoven twin leads—is the very essence of heavy metal.

The title, meaning “March 15” in the Roman calendar, evokes the ominous mood of Caesar’s assassination, perfectly matching the tense, gripping sound.

Distilling Iron Maiden’s musical identity into one piece, this track is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the band’s appeal in an instant.

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