Released as the lead single from Iron Maiden's seminal 1982 album The Number of the Beast, "Run to the Hills" marked Bruce Dickinson's debut on record with the band. Its powerful narrative, driving heavy metal intensity, and unforgettable chorus propelled it up the charts, becoming one of Maiden's signature songs.

This 1982 heavy metal staple tells a historical story with unmatched energy, featuring Steve Harris's galloping bassline and explosive drumming. Its driving rhythm and powerful delivery make it an ideal workout song, while its place in heavy metal history as a breakthrough track for Iron Maiden remains undisputed.

SONG MEANING: The song depicts the colonization of North America and the resulting conflict between European settlers and Native Americans. It presents perspectives from both sides: the Native Americans experiencing invasion ("White man came across the sea / He brought us pain and misery") and the settlers engaging in conquest ("Chasing the redskins back to their holes"). The chorus reflects the Native Americans' desperate flight for survival.

Released as a hit single from Iron Maiden's 1983 album Piece of Mind (drummer Nicko McBrain's first with the band), "The Trooper" instantly became a Heavy Metal classic. Written by bassist Steve Harris, it exemplifies the New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound with its signature galloping rhythm, harmonized twin lead guitars, and Bruce Dickinson’s commanding operatic vocals soaring over the mix.

Inspired by Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade," "The Trooper" vividly depicts the chaos and doomed bravery of the historic cavalry charge during the Crimean War from a soldier's viewpoint. A perennial highlight of Iron Maiden's live shows, often featuring dramatic flag-waving by Dickinson, the song's iconic riffs ensure its lasting legacy as one of metal's greatest anthems.

SONG MEANING: "The Trooper" recounts the harrowing experience of a British cavalry soldier participating in the historically disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War, drawing direct inspiration from Tennyson's famous poem. The lyrics provide a visceral first-person perspective of the battlefield chaos, the sounds of the charge ("The bugle sounds"), facing enemy fire ("Musket cracks"), the inevitability of death, and the soldier's final moments ("As I lay dying...").

Released as the lead single from Iron Maiden's synth-tinged 1986 album Somewhere in Time, "Wasted Years" achieved significant chart success worldwide. Written entirely by guitarist Adrian Smith, its slightly more accessible, melodic heavy metal sound provided a perfect introduction to the album's themes while retaining Maiden's signature energy.

Driven by its unforgettable guitar intro and Bruce Dickinson's powerful vocals, "Wasted Years" explores themes of homesickness and appreciating the present. This 1986 heavy metal anthem remains a fan favorite, celebrated for its infectious melody and thoughtful lyrics, proving Iron Maiden's dynamic range within the genre.

SONG MEANING: Written by guitarist Adrian Smith while feeling homesick during extensive touring, the song reflects on longing for home and the passage of time ("Too much time on my hands"). However, it ultimately pivots to an optimistic message: encouraging listeners not to dwell on the past ("don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years") but to embrace and appreciate the present ("realize you're living in the golden years").

Closing Iron Maiden's landmark 1982 album The Number of the Beast, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is a seven-minute heavy metal tour de force. Featuring Bruce Dickinson's commanding vocals telling a poignant story, Steve Harris's driving basslines, and intricate dual-guitar harmonies, it exemplifies the classic Maiden sound and songwriting prowess.

This 1982 heavy metal anthem takes listeners on a journey through shifting tempos and moods, from haunting melodies to full-throttle gallops. Its dramatic narrative and sophisticated musical structure have cemented "Hallowed Be Thy Name" as an influential benchmark in the genre and a perennial fan favorite.

SONG MEANING: The song vividly portrays the final thoughts and emotions of a man condemned to execution, awaiting his fate in a prison cell. It explores his fear, reflections on life and death ("When you know that your time is close at hand..."), questioning reality, and ultimately moving towards a state of acceptance as his final moments approach ("Hallowed be thy name").