We're Not Gonna Take It (Twisted Sister song)
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| "We're Not Gonna Take It" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Twisted Sister | ||
| from the album Stay Hungry | ||
| A-side(s) | "We're Not Gonna Take It" | |
| B-side(s) | "You Can't Stop Rock & Roll" | |
| Released | April 27, 1984 | |
| Format | 7" Single | |
| Recorded | 1984 | |
| Genre | Hard rock | |
| Length | 3:38 | |
| Label | Atlantic Records | |
| Writer(s) | Dee Snider | |
| Producer(s) | Tom Werman | |
| Chart positions | ||
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"We're Not Gonna Take It" is a 1984 hit song by the band Twisted Sister from their album Stay Hungry. The song was first released as a single (With B-Side song You Can't Stop Rock & Roll) on April 27, 1984. The Stay Hungry album was released 2 weeks later, on May 10, 1984. The single made #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and It the song was ranked #47 on VH1's 100 Greatest 80's Songs.
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".
"We're Not Gonna Take It" is also the title of the last song on The Who's Tommy album, but there is no connection between the two.
[edit] Music video
The song is notable for its popular music video, with its emphasis on slapstick comedy, where a tyrannical father gets the worst of the band's mischief. Controversy arose when the depiction of family violence 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. Mark Metcalf, the actor portraying the abusive father in the video, had previously played Neidermayer, the ROTC drill sergeant in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978). In a reference to his role in the film, Metcalf yells "A Twisted Sister pin? On your uniform?" in the video. Snider himself can also be heard shouting the question "A pledge pin? On your uniform?" at the end of the song. The actor (Dax Callner) portraying the teenager went on to become a somewhat well-known Industrial Rock artist in Texas. Two of his songs became part of the dance videogame In The Groove.
In 1999, the US rock band Lit parodied the opening scene in their video for "Zip Lock". The angry father was played by none other than Dee Snider.
[edit] Covers
The song has been covered by Bif Naked for the Ready to Rumble soundtrack, by Joan Jett for a 2001 tribute album Twisted Forever - A Tribute To The Legendary Twisted Sister, and by Thee Ultra Bimboos. In 2002, a cover by the German Pop Punk band Donots became a minor hit in Germany, reaching 33 in the Singles Chart. In 2007 Australian Pop duo The Veronicas covered the song and released it as a free download to fans.
[edit] References in popular culture
- During the 2003 California recall election, it was used as the anthem for Arnold Schwarzenegger's successful bid for governor. It has also been used as the bumper music for the Stephanie Miller Show. It is one of the main songs in the 1986 movie Iron Eagle. Further, the song was used by professional wrestling tag team Ring Crew Express as their theme in the 2004 Ring of Honor promotion. It remains popular at sporting events, political rallies, and protests and has even been used in television commercials.
- In 2000, comedian Dave Chappelle referenced the song in his special Killin' Them Softly.
- When Djurgårdens IF in Fotbollsallsvenskan 2004 begun to play their home games at Råsunda Stadium, some AIK fans used the tune for "We're Not Gonna Take It", but instead they sang their own lyrics: Stick från vår arena (Leave our arena).
- In 2006 the song was used for two Charlotte's Web commercials.
- In November 2006, "We're Not Gonna Take It" has been used by a Swedish company, "Trygg Hansa" in a television advertisement. Twisted Sister has for many years had a strong fanbase in Sweden.
- The song was featured in PS2 game Activision Anthology.
- "Weird Al" Yankovic included the song in the "Hooked on Polkas" medley from Dare to Be Stupid.
- The song was played by the school band at the end of Max Keeble's Big Movie.
