"We're Not Gonna Take It!"
Fist-pumping anthem! Dee Snider snarls against authority figures, demanding respect and individuality. Driving guitars, rebellious lyrics, and a memorable chorus ("Oh we're not gonna take it!") made it an 80s rock anthem, inspiring generations to stand up for themselves.
- CATEGORY: All Time Favorite Music
- BAND: Twisted Sister
- GENRE: Glam metal, Heavy metal, Pop metal
- YEAR: 1984
"We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister is a 1984 anthem of rebellion and defiance that became a rock classic. Written by frontman Dee Snider, the song channels themes of teenage angst, standing up to authority, and fighting for what you believe in.
The song opens with a dramatic spoken word intro, a school principal barking orders at students like a drill sergeant. This segues into a high-energy, fist-pumping rock riff that carries the song throughout. Snider's vocals are raspy and passionate, spitting out lyrics like "Another lesson, another teacher, forced to be lower than your reach" and "We're not gonna take it!" The chorus is infectious, a call to arms for anyone who's ever felt oppressed or bullied.
The music video for "We're Not Gonna Take It" is just as iconic as the song itself. Featuring the band in full glam rock attire, it's a riot of color, pyrotechnics, and rebellious energy. The video also includes clips from the movie "Animal House," adding another layer of subversive humor.
"We're Not Gonna Take It" resonated with a generation of teenagers and young adults who felt like they were being pushed around by authority figures. It became a rallying cry for anyone who felt powerless or voiceless. The song's message of standing up for yourself and refusing to be bullied is still relevant today, making it a timeless classic.