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20 Protest Songs That Matter: No. 17

'We're Not Gonna Take It'
--Twisted Sister

Rebelling Against: Authority figures!

In the great Brando tradition, this classic '80s hair band scored big with its rebellion against everything, and nothing in particular. Co-opted by Arnold Schwarzenegger in his 2003 campaign for California governor, the song was inspired, according to Dee Snider, by the Sex Pistols and the Christmas carol 'O Come, All Ye Faithful.'
Listen to 'We're Not Gonna Take It'

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Anna

this should be #1

August 12 2008 at 2:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ben

AOL had the posting to this in top news like 3 weeks ago.....Or atleast something very simular....

December 12 2007 at 4:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kent

I listened to this song a lot in 1994, when the GOP was in the process of taking Congress from the Democrats.

December 12 2007 at 3:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jeff Jones

The Clintons?

"We're not gonna take it" came out in 1983/1984. the Clinton presidency did not come around till 1992.

December 12 2007 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim

Id write but craig need s me to go hug some trees...brb

August 27 2007 at 11:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Liz

This song is incredible! GO TWISTED SISTER!!!

August 03 2007 at 12:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roxanne

rock on luvv the song R@*Y

July 17 2007 at 9:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Carrie

My son Greg Miller and his brother Chris and their band A.M.I.A.M. wanted to play in the Hamburg Area High School talent show back in April of 2005. The principal at that time would not let their band and other rock bands play in the talent show for fear of kids "moshing" and getting out of hand. The only way these kids could play their instruments was "unplugged". Obviously, the kids were upset. So, my son Greg Miller got a few hundred signatures on a petition and went to the school board meeting to protest the principal's decision. The school board said they would think about it. The board later approved that the kids could play, but the kids would have to provide their own security. Next thing we know Greg gets a phone call from Dee Snider's manager, Markus, when Dee was DJing on WMMR radio in Philly. We could not believe it! Dee interviewed Greg several times on the radio and said that he would provide security for the show and that he may show up if he wasn't doing anything. Well, Dee did in fact show up!!! He drove himself to our home in Bernville, PA. Hung out with the kids for a bit. He even autographed Greg and Chris's bedroom walls. His manager Markus came in a limo to pick him and my son Greg up to take them to the school. The media was nuts about this for a few months! Greg, Dee, and the other band members did interviews on the news and for VH1 and the newspapers. They did have a spot that showed on VH1 news. Later that summer MTV was at our house for a week and filmed a re-make of the experience for MTV High School Stories. When it came time for the kids to play, they of course sang "We're not gonna take it" (appropriately). Dee came on stage after the 1st verse and performed with the kids. This was not your usual talent show, obviously. The auditorium was packed, I think around 800 people came. Money that was made from ticket sales went to a young boy with leukemia. It was an awesome day that those kids will never forget. Dee was proud of my son Greg standing up for his first amendment rights, "we're not gonna take it!!!" Dee came back to our place after the show for a little while and met with the kids a little more. We had a house full. It was fun. Dee is a wonderful person. I can't believe he came all that way from his home to our little town to back these kids and what they believed in! I am proud to say that my 2 sons still have a band going and they play shows at local clubs and really enjoy what they do.

Thank you DEE!!! Rock n roll forever!!!

July 15 2007 at 8:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
N

no. 6 WE (humans) are the ones planing to destroy it. GET OUT OF YOUR BED AND LOOK AROUND AND MAYBE YOU WOULD FIGURE THAT OUT!

July 15 2007 at 7:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Frank from NY

Hi Mark It is Frank C from West Hempsted!! Tell Jodi to attend our 30 high school reunion!!Please!! comming up this October!! Also I miss the days crusin in your awesome flip flop painted camaro!! And who ever Joni is he is not to samrt as a read his blog!!! I hope all is well. And Alpha Sigma Phi Rules :)

July 15 2007 at 7:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply