We're Not Gonna Take It (Twisted Sister)
Encyclopedia
"We're Not Gonna Take It" is a 1984
hit song by the American glam metal
/heavy metal
band Twisted Sister
from their album Stay Hungry. The song was first released as a single (with "You Can't Stop Rock & Roll" as the B-side) on April 27, 1984. The Stay Hungry album was released two weeks later, on May 10, 1984. The single reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100
singles chart, making it Twisted Sister's only Top 40 single. The song was ranked #47 on 100 Greatest 80's Songs and #21 on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s.
The song premiered for the first time in San Bernardino in 1984, along with many other songs from Stay Hungry (album).
The song was written by vocalist Dee Snider
. As influences for the song, he cites the glam rock band Slade
, the punk band Sex Pistols
, and the Christmas carol
, "O Come, All Ye Faithful
".
The song is notable for its popular music video
directed by Marty Callner
, with its emphasis on slapstick comedy
, where a parent gets the worst of the band's mischief. Controversy arose when the depiction of the family in the video caused a public outcry long before the "explicit lyrics" warning was placed on records, cassettes, and CDs. This led to the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center
, co-founded by Tipper Gore
(who later became Second Lady of the United States
). Mark Metcalf
, the actor portraying the father in the video, had previously played Neidermayer, the ROTC
student commander in National Lampoon's Animal House
(1978
). In a reference to his role in the film, Metcalf says "A Twisted Sister pin? On your uniform?!" in the video. Snider himself can also be heard cursing and swearing the question "A pledge pin? On your uniform?" at the end of the song. The actor portraying the teenager is Jeremy Sisto
of the HBO series Six Feet Under, Clueless, Suicide Kings
, and the T.V. series Law & Order
.
In 1999, the US rock band Lit parodied the opening scene in their video for "Zip Lock".
1984 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1984.-Janury-March:*January 21 – "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart, despite being banned by the BBC; it spends a total of forty-two weeks in the Top 40.*January 27 – Michael Jackson's...
hit song by the American glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
/heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
from their album Stay Hungry. The song was first released as a single (with "You Can't Stop Rock & Roll" as the B-side) on April 27, 1984. The Stay Hungry album was released two weeks later, on May 10, 1984. The single reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart, making it Twisted Sister's only Top 40 single. The song was ranked #47 on 100 Greatest 80's Songs and #21 on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s.
The song premiered for the first time in San Bernardino in 1984, along with many other songs from Stay Hungry (album).
The song was written by vocalist Dee Snider
Dee Snider
Daniel "Dee" Snider is an American singer-songwriter, screenwriter, radio personality, and actor. Snider is most famous for his role as the frontman of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister...
. As influences for the song, he cites the glam rock band Slade
Slade
Slade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
, the punk band Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
, and the Christmas carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
, "O Come, All Ye Faithful
Adeste Fideles
"Adeste Fideles" is a hymn tune attributed to English hymnist John Francis Wade . The text itself has unclear beginnings, and may have been written in the 13th century by John of Reading, though it has been concluded that Wade was probably the author.The original four verses of the hymn were...
".
The song is notable for its popular music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
directed by Marty Callner
Marty Callner
Marty Callner is a director. His primary work is with music videos. Marty has directed work from such popular artists as Cher, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith and has work recorded back as far as 1977 and as recent as 2009. He has been nominated for 7 Emmys, 3 DGAs, and 1 CableACE Award...
, with its emphasis on slapstick comedy
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
, where a parent gets the worst of the band's mischief. Controversy arose when the depiction of the family in the video caused a public outcry long before the "explicit lyrics" warning was placed on records, cassettes, and CDs. This led to the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center
Parents Music Resource Center
The Parents Music Resource Center was an American committee formed in 1985 with the goal of increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to be violent, have drug use or be sexual.The committee was founded by four women: Tipper Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice...
, co-founded by Tipper Gore
Tipper Gore
Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Gore , née Aitcheson, is an author, photographer, former second lady of the United States, and the estranged wife of Al Gore...
(who later became Second Lady of the United States
Second Lady of the United States
Second lady of the United States is an informal title for the wife of the vice president of the United States, coined in contrast to the first lady ....
). Mark Metcalf
Mark Metcalf
Mark Howes Metcalf is an American actor in both television and film.-Early life:Metcalf attended Westfield High School in Westfield, New Jersey.-Film and television work:...
, the actor portraying the father in the video, had previously played Neidermayer, the ROTC
Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.The U.S...
student commander in National Lampoon's Animal House
National Lampoon's Animal House
National Lampoon's Animal House is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis. The film was a direct spin-off of National Lampoon magazine...
(1978
1978 in film
The year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
). In a reference to his role in the film, Metcalf says "A Twisted Sister pin? On your uniform?!" in the video. Snider himself can also be heard cursing and swearing the question "A pledge pin? On your uniform?" at the end of the song. The actor portraying the teenager is Jeremy Sisto
Jeremy Sisto
Jeremy Merton Sisto is an American actor. Sisto has had recurring roles as Billy Chenowith on the HBO series Six Feet Under and Detective Cyrus Lupo on Law & Order on television and also starred in the films Jesus, Clueless and Thirteen.-Early life:Sisto was born in Grass Valley, California, the...
of the HBO series Six Feet Under, Clueless, Suicide Kings
Suicide Kings
Suicide Kings is a 1997 American neo-noir/comedy-drama film, starring Christopher Walken, Denis Leary, Sean Patrick Flanery, Johnny Galecki, Jay Mohr, Jeremy Sisto, and Henry Thomas...
, and the T.V. series Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
.
In 1999, the US rock band Lit parodied the opening scene in their video for "Zip Lock".
Cover versions
The song has been covered by various artists including:- American ska punkSka punkSka punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band Less Than JakeLess Than JakeLess Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge, heavy metal, alternative...
for the 1997 punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
/emoEmoEmo is a style of rock music and its associated subcultureEmo may also refer to:- Businesses :* Emo , an Irish oil company and filling station chain* Emo Speedway, a racetrack in Emo, Ontario...
compilation Where's The Beef (later compiled on their album Goodbye Blue & WhiteGoodbye Blue & White-No Idea release:12" Vinyl Track Listing...
) - American The HuntingtonsThe HuntingtonsThe Huntingtons are a punk band from Baltimore, Maryland which formed in 1993-1994 in the Maryland/Delaware area by Cliff Powell , Mike Holt and Mike Pierce . The band is heavily influenced by The Ramones.-1993-2005:The Huntingtons debut album Sweet Sixteen was released in 1996 by Flying Tart...
for their 1998 album All the Stuff (And More)-Vol 1All the Stuff (And More)-Vol 1All the Stuff -Vol 1 is an album by The Huntingtons released in 1998. All the Stuff -Vol 1 is a re-release of the band's debut disc, Sweet Sixteen, plus 10 bonus tracks.-Track listing:#I Really Don't Like It#Mom's in Rehab... - American hardcore-punk band A Global ThreatA Global ThreatA Global Threat was an American street punk band, formed in Bangor, ME in 1997. They released four full-length LPs as well as many 7" EPs and have toured extensively throughout the United States.- History 1997–2000 :...
on their 1999 album What The Fuck Will Change?What The Fuck Will Change?What The Fuck Will Change? is the first studio album by A Global Threat. It was originally released in 1999 by Step 1 Records and was re-released in 2002 by Punk Core Records with two more tracks.- Track listing :# "Religious Scam"# "Idle Threats"... - CanadianCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock singer Bif NakedBif NakedBif Naked is a Juno Award-winning, Indian-born American-Canadian multi-platinum record selling, rock singer, writer, poet, motivational speaker and actress.-Personal life:...
for the Ready to RumbleReady to RumbleReady to Rumble is a 2000 American comedy film directed by Brian Robbins and written by Steven Brill, which is based on Turner Broadcasting's now defunct professional wrestling promotion, World Championship Wrestling...
soundtrack in 2000 - American Joan JettJoan JettJoan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
for a 2001 tribute album Twisted Forever - A Tribute To The Legendary Twisted SisterTwisted ForeverTwisted Forever – A Tribute to the Legendary Twisted Sister is a tribute album to Twisted Sister, released in 2001. Release of the album was on both CD, and a collector's edition released on double pink vinyl records.-Track listing / Artist :... - All-female Finnish rock band Thee Ultra Bimboos on their 2003 single "Sleeping Dogs"
- GermanGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
pop punkPop punkPop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band DonotsDonots-Albums:-Compilation albums:-Split albums:-Exclusive compilation tracks:-Singles:-Videography:-Music videos:-External links:***** with Truepunk.com * with Truepunk.com * with Truepunk.com...
in 2002 (which became a minor hit in Germany, reaching 33 in the Singles Chart) - ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an band Los Mox in Spanish for their album Con Cover (the title of the song in Spanish is "No lo aceptaremos") - MexicanMexican peopleMexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
pop-rock band ModerattoModerattoModeratto is a Mexican band active since the late-1990s.-Beginning:Moderatto began playing in the mid nineties in Mexico City, as a parody of the glamorous style of many 1980s bands like Poison and Mötley Crüe. Originally started as a side project for the members' original bands, they eventually...
in Spanish ("No lo Aceptaremos") which was released in 2007 for the Mexican Consejo de la Comunicación, the organization connected to the Ad CouncilAd CouncilThe Advertising Council, commonly known as the Ad Council, is an American non-profit organization that distributes public service announcements on behalf of various sponsors, including non-profit organizations and agencies of the United States government....
, anti-corruption advertising campaign - Australian pop duo The VeronicasThe VeronicasThe Veronicas are an Australian electrorock, pop-punk and rock band. Twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso formed the band in 1999 in Brisbane. They have their own line of clothing which was released in 2007....
, which was available for download and also used in a 2008 birth control pill commercial called YazYazYaz is the nickname of:*Carl Yastrzemski, a long-time member of the Boston Red Sox and a current member of the Baseball Hall of FameYaz may also refer to:*Yaz culture*YAZ, the IATA code for Tofino Airport in Tofino, British Columbia, Canada... - Swedish trio Hellsongs on their 2008 album Hymns In The Key Of 666 (used in DamagesDamages (TV series)Damages is an American television drama series created by the writing and production trio of Daniel Zelman and brothers Glenn and Todd A. Kessler . It is broadcast in the United States on the DirecTV channel Audience Network after originally airing on FX and is produced by the creators' own...
Season 3 Episode 3) - Holland street rock'n'rollRock and rollRock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band Discipline on their 2008 album Old Pride, New Glory - SpanishSpanish peopleThe Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
oi!Oi!Oi! is a working class subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads and other working-class youths ....
band Oi! The Arrase for the album Anarkoi in 1997 with other lyrics but same music (the title of the song is "Somos de Mallorca") - Swedish dansbandDansbandDansband is a Swedish term for a band that plays dansbandsmusik . Dansbandsmusik is often danced to in pairs. Jitterbug and foxtrot music are often included in this category. The music is primarily inspired by swing, schlager, country, jazz, and rock...
Larz-KristerzLarz-KristerzLarz-Kristerz is a Swedish dansband founded in Älvdalen, Sweden in 2001, and winner of the 2008 edition of Dansbandskampen. The band is known to prefer Hagström instruments and PA systems...
at DansbandskampenDansbandskampenDansbandskampen is a television show established by Peter Settman and his production company Baluba. Peter Settman is also the show host. The show is broadcasted over Sveriges Television, with season 1 airing October-December 2008....
2008 and on the 2009 album Hem till dig. - Kidz Bop Kids on Kidz Bop 80's GoldKidz Bop 80's GoldKidz Bop 80s Gold is a compilation of hit '80s songs performed by the Kidz Bop Kids. It is the third "Gold" album in the Kidz Bop series. It was released May 20, 2008-Track listing:#"Mickey" #"Footloose"...
(this is their first heavy metalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
cover). - The classic rock musical Rock of AgesRock of Ages (musical)Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Asia, among...
, which premiered on Broadway in 2009. - The Finnish Power Metal band NightwishNightwishNightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
. - PowerviolencePowerviolencePowerviolence , is a raw and dissonant subgenre of hardcore punk. The style is closely related to thrashcore and grindcore.-History:...
band Charles BronsonCharles Bronson (band)Charles Bronson was a prolific powerviolence band from DeKalb, Illinois, existing from 1994 to 1997. Although they were often associated with the straight edge scene, only two of the members actually abstained from drug and alcohol use.-Musical style:...
primarily used this song on their track "Can't Take This" - AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
street punkStreet punkStreet punk is a working class-based genre of punk rock which took shape in the early 1980s, partly as a rebellion against the perceived artistic pretensions of the first wave of British punk. Street punk emerged from the Oi! style, performed by bands such as Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, Cockney...
band Total ChaosTotal Chaos (band)Total Chaos is an American street punk band from Pomona Valley, California, formed in 1989. Lead vocalist Rob Chaos is also co-owner of SOS Records with Ezzat Soliman, owner of the Showcase Theater, having released albums by classic Punk and Oi! bands like The Exploited, Vice Squad, Sham 69,...
on their 2001 album "Punk Invasion". - The song was featured in episode 1.02 of the reality showReality televisionReality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
The Glee ProjectThe Glee ProjectThe Glee Project is an American reality television series from Oxygen. It serves as an audition for the FOX TV series Glee. Although originally planned to begin broadcasting in late May 2011, The Glee Project premiered on June 12, 2011...
("Theatricality") on OxygenOxygen (TV channel)Oxygen is an American cable television specialty channel with television programming marketed towards women, with a format similar to Lifetime.- History :...
. Contestants filmed a music video of the song.
Parodies
- American singer "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
included the song in the "Hooked on Polkas" medley from Dare to Be StupidDare to Be StupidDare to Be Stupid is the third studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1985. The album was one of many produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer...
. - German Comedy Metal Band J.B.O.J.B.O.J.B.O. is a heavy metal band from Erlangen, Germany. J.B.O. was founded in 1989 by Vito C. and Hannes "G.Laber" Holzmann and is known for parodies of rock and pop songs...
also did a German version of it, called "Wir wollen's nicht mehr nehmen" as part of their "Drogen?"-Medley on their 1997 Laut! album - American ska/punk band, Reel Big FishReel Big FishReel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out". The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band...
, used the melody to the song as part of their song "Everybody's Drunk" but altered the lyrics to: "We're all gonna get drunk! We're all gonna get drunk! Oh wait we're already drunk!". - Canadian ska band Whole Lotta Milka also covered the song on their Got Milka album under the title "Twisted".
- The Chilean band Los Mox also covered the song in their disc Los Mox Con Cover, the song in this disc is called ``No Lo Aceptaremox´´
- Japan professional soccer league "J-league" team "Vegalta-SENDAI" supporters chant.
- Canadian-Quebec band LUCKY UKE recorded a hit ukelele version of the song and video www.luckyuke.com
- In Regular ShowRegular ShowRegular Show is an American animated television series created by J. G. Quintel...
Mordecai and Rigby sing it at a karaoke bar (badly).