Song: “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
An all-purpose rebellion anthem, the song still sends a charge through a room
Twisted Sister wrote this 1984 hit for their album Stay Hungry to the basic tune of “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
Reaching #21 on the Hot 100, it was the band’s only Top 40 hit.
It resonates anew.
In 1985, the song was the focus of criticism when the Parents Music Resource Center included it on its “Filthy Fifteen” list for alleged violent lyrical content, allegations that were repudiated by lead singer Dee Snider.
Snider started writing “We’re Not Gonna Take It” in 1980, before the band released their first album. He had the hook, but the verse melody eluded him. After Def Leppard released Pyromania in 1983, Snider realized a number of their songs used variations on the chorus as a verse. He went from there.
The song has been used to rally sports teams, members of the military, students, and voters. It seems especially apt these days.
Enjoy!