We’re Not Gonna Take It

The Zoo Crew is cranking up "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister from their iconic album Stay Hungry, and the Zoo Freaks are surely rocking out! This anthem, released in 1984, became a cultural juggernaut, but its creation and impact are packed with wild stories. Frontman Dee Snider wrote the song in a burst of inspiration, drawing from the glam rock energy of Slade, the raw rebellion of punk pioneers Sex Pistols, and, surprisingly, the melody of the Christmas carol "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Snider revealed in interviews that he crafted the entire Stay Hungry album, including this hit, in just 45 minutes while his wife was out shopping and his baby son slept. The song’s rebellious spirit wasn’t just musical—it sparked real-world controversy when the Parents Music Resource Center targeted it in 1985, placing it on their "Filthy Fifteen" list for allegedly violent lyrics. Snider fiercely defended the song in a Senate hearing, arguing its message was about standing up to authority, not promoting violence, cementing his status as a heavy metal advocate.

The music video for "We're Not Gonna Take It" is a slapstick masterpiece that amplified its fame. Directed by Marty Callner, it features actor Mark Metcalf reprising his militaristic Animal House character, screaming at a kid (played by Callner’s son, Dax) about his love for Twisted Sister. The kid transforms into Snider, blasting Metcalf out a window with a guitar riff, and the band proceeds to wreak comedic havoc. The video’s over-the-top rebellion resonated globally, with fans like Japanese soccer supporters in 2011 using its melody to chant for their team post-earthquake, a moment highlighted on Twisted Sister’s official website. However, the song’s universal appeal led to misuse—politicians like Paul Ryan in 2012 and Clive Palmer in Australia’s 2019 election co-opted it without permission. Snider shut them down, with Palmer facing a $1.5 million copyright infringement fine in 2021. In 2022, Snider took to X, calling out far-right activists for using the song, declaring it was written by a "cross-dressing, libtard, tree-hugging half-Jew" who opposed their views.

Twisted Sister’s journey to Stay Hungry was a gritty climb from the New York club scene. Formed in 1972 in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, as Silver Star, the band underwent multiple lineup changes before solidifying in 1982 with Jay Jay French (guitars), Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda (guitars), Dee Snider (vocals), Mark "The Animal" Mendoza (bass), and A.J. Pero (drums). Inspired by punk acts like Ramones and traditional metal, they honed their raw, theatrical style in Long Island bars. Their outrageous look—big hair, makeup, and women’s clothing—drew comparisons to glam metal, though Snider rejected the label, emphasizing their aggressive sound. Early albums Under the Blade (1982) and You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (1983) built an underground following, but Stay Hungry’s 1984 release, with its multi-platinum sales and MTV dominance, catapulted them to global fame. Despite disbanding in 1988, they reunited in 2003, releasing Still Hungry and A Twisted Christmas, before retiring in 2016 after Pero’s death.

Stay connected with Twisted Sister through their official website, where you can find tour archives and merch. Follow them on Facebook for fan interactions and throwback posts, Instagram for vintage photos and updates, and X for Dee Snider’s outspoken takes and band news. Fans can join the Twisted Sister Fan Group on Facebook to swap stories and memorabilia with fellow SMFs (Sick Motherfuckers, as the band affectionately calls their devotees). For deeper dives, check out fan sites like Twisted Sister’s Official Fan Club for exclusive content and community events, keeping the rebellious spirit alive for Zoo Freaks everywhere.