I Wanna Rock

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister from their iconic album Stay Hungry! This anthem, written by frontman Dee Snider, was crafted with a deliberate nod to the galloping rhythms of Iron Maiden and the anthemic energy of AC/DC and Slade. Snider revealed in an interview that he aimed to blend Maiden’s drive with AC/DC’s fist-pumping vibe, saying, “I thought if I could combine the two, I’d have a f--king huge hit.” He wasn’t wrong—I Wanna Rock became a defining track of the ‘80s, peaking at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a spot as the 17th Greatest Hard Rock Song on VH1’s 2009 list. The song’s infectious chant of “Rock!”—repeated 78 times by one fan’s count—makes it impossible not to sing along, as noted by a listener from Greater Sudbury on Songfacts.

The music video for I Wanna Rock is just as legendary, featuring actor Mark Metcalf reprising his role as the tyrannical authority figure from Animal House. In the video, Metcalf plays a teacher berating a student for doodling the Twisted Sister logo, barking, “What kind of a man desecrates a defenseless textbook?!” The student’s defiant response—“I wanna rock!”—kicks off the song as he and his classmates morph into the band, turning the tables on their oppressor. The video’s climax sees Stephen Furst, also from Animal House, as the school principal dousing Metcalf with seltzer, a nod to their film roles. Snider shared in a Vintage Rock Pod interview that he and director Marty Callner crafted this and the We’re Not Gonna Take It video to be rebellious, comedic spectacles, setting a blueprint for ‘80s rock visuals.

Beyond its chart success, I Wanna Rock has left a cultural footprint. It was featured in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on the fictional V-Rock station and even got a SpongeBob SquarePants makeover as “Goofy Goober Rock” in the 2004 movie, complete with an extended guitar solo. In 2008, guitarist Jay Jay French re-recorded it as I Want Barack to support Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, showcasing the song’s versatility. Posts on X from fans like @racerx_music and @StarKoichi highlight its enduring appeal, with one calling it a symbol of “expression of freedom” in the ‘80s. The song also rocked a 2020 Super Bowl ad for Facebook Groups, tying it to everything from rock climbing to Rocky Balboa fandom.

Twisted Sister began in 1972 in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, evolving from a band called Silver Star. Founded by guitarist Jay Jay French, they drew inspiration from the New York glam rock scene, particularly the New York Dolls, while incorporating the theatrics of Kiss and Alice Cooper’s shock rock. Initially a David Bowie-inspired act, the band shifted to a heavier, more aggressive sound when Dee Snider joined in 1976, taking over songwriting and steering them toward metal anthems. The classic lineup—Snider, French, Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda (guitar), Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (bass), and A.J. Pero (drums)—solidified in 1982, leading to their breakthrough with Stay Hungry in 1984. Their cross-dressed, makeup-heavy look often got them labeled as glam metal, but Snider rejected this, emphasizing their grotesque style and raw energy set them apart from bands like Mötley Crüe.

Despite disbanding in 1988 after less successful albums, Twisted Sister reunited in the late ‘90s and continued performing until a farewell tour in 2016 following Pero’s death. Their legacy lives on through their official website at twistedsister.com, where fans can find merch and updates. Connect with them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X. Zoo Freaks can also join fan communities like the Twisted Sister Fan Club on Facebook or visit fan sites such as Dee Snider’s official site for more on the frontman’s projects. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!