You'll LAUGH When You REALIZE This 80s Rocker Was STOLEN from Old CHRISTMAS SONG!--Professor of Rock

One of the so-called Filthy Fifteen, today’s rebellious rock anthem We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister never got a fair shake... not from parents, not from the media, and not even from the Government. This classic rock anthem had a target on its back for years from the powers that be...Their gameplan? To censor so-called offensive music across the nation. But that was the whole reason the song was written in the first place… To defy authority. And lead singer Dee Snider actually took his fight against authority all the way to Washington DC and ripped the censors on live TV. Coming up next, the story of the 80s most rebellious anthem. It took Dee Snider 4 years to write it due to writer's block and his producer didn’t want them to put it on the album! He felt it sounded like a nursery rhyme... too sing-songy. And to his point, the band did push their hardcore lyrics against the melody of one of the most famous Christmas songs ever… It was unbelievably catchy… but the singer had to beg the label to get the song released. It became a smash but it would become their only hit. Get the story of this rebel anthem, Christmas song rip-off next on Professor of Rock.
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It’s time for another edition of our series Bottled Lightning where we celebrate a song or album that was king for a day. or many days. Here honor artists and bands and that rocketed up the charts… but for reasons unknown weren’t able to sustain that success. Called by some ‘one hit wonders’, we celebrate them instead as lightning in a bottle and just because this band had only one top 40 hit, it would be ridiculous to call them a one hit wonder since they had so many great songs… So let’s get into it. today we are shaking up the bottle and blasting off with one of the greatest teenage anthems of all time! We’re not Gonna Take it By Twisted Sister.
A product of New York City's 70s glam rock scene, Twisted Sister was founded in 1972 by John Segal (aka Jay Jay French). Although primarily following in the footsteps of the New York Dolls, the band also drew inspiration from Kiss and David Bowie. Throughout the 70s and into the early 80s, Twisted Sister gathered an underground following on the New York and Jersey club scene. During that time, they had a pretty fluid lineup. French went through 10 plus members before settling on lead singer Dee Snider, guitarist Eddie ‘Fingers’ Ojeda, bassist Mark ‘The Animal’ Mendoza, and drummer AJ Pero.
Snider brought an Alice Cooper shock rock style of performing to the band. And it was just what they needed.
Dee quickly developed into Twisted Sister’s dominant songwriter and in June 1982, they released their first EP, Ruff Cuts. They followed this up with their 1st studio album, Under the Blade, the same year. After signing with Atlantic Records, Twisted Sister released their second studio album You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll in 1983. It included the UK hit ‘I Am (I'm Me)’ Their next album, Stay Hungry would be their breakout. Sensing this, Atlantic increased promotion...

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the GREATEST "RAISE YOUR FIST IN THE AIR" Anthem in Rock History?

[@tb6791]

Free Will and 2112😮😮

[@TerrickTerran]

We Will Rock You by Queen followed by We Aren't Going to Take It.

[@funstuff1728]

Fight For Your Right - Beastie Boys

[@FredGroenke55]

Back in Black or Highway to Hell by AC/DC

[@peterd.9978]

Radio Ga Ga!

[@vandal29]

Dee Snider shouldn't feel embarrassed by his Senate appearance. It was one of the most eloquent speeches about free speech and parental rights and responsibilities ever uttered in the Senate. The fact that it came from a "metal head" only made it more striking. I salute you Mr. Snider.

[@BigTimeRushFan2112]

and look at him now, he wants authoritarians to tell us all what to do and supports politicians banning books. smh. he's an awful human being.

[@ghostmachine71]

he also put the Senate and Tipper Gore in their place. Dee is a hero, who has absolutely nothing to be ashamed about.

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

​@@BigTimeRushFan2112What are you talking about?

[@inrainbows1829]

​@@BigTimeRushFan2112so you want porn in elementary schools

[@revwillyg6450]

@@BigTimeRushFan2112are you sniffing glue? Dee Snider is not a republican 😂

[@ErikSamys]

My biggest memory of this song and the band as a whole, my mother hated the look of the band but loved this song and others I would play for her. When that song made the filthy fifteen she was dumbfounded. She thought the whole thing was dumb as hell. Like he said it was up to the parents to monitor what their children hear, watch or read. But that child is going to see that movie at a friend's house, they'll hear that music through friends and the radio. The books? Well they'll just read them in the library. She had basic rules for me, any music with objectionable language use your headphones, movies cannot be pornographic same with your books and magazines. After that, do what you want. My mother was awesome. All my friends loved her too. I believe our world was a better place because she was in it. RIP

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing.

[@clairedisapia]

Dee Snyder spoke eloquently during the senate hearing and I was so proud to show these senators that metal rockers and their supporters are no dummies

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's right!

[@randytessman6750]

I will never forget Dee talking to the congressional hearing on the "evils of metal", Mr. Snider made every metalhead look good. He was articulate, well researched and very compelling and made every teenager I knew cheer for "sticking it to the man". Got to see them in concert twice and they put on a helluva show

[@jetagelullaby]

Something interesting is that (and I’m not referring specifically to your comment) I’ve never heard anyone mention that back then, the people who spearheaded the anti metal movement were the liberals in government at the time.

[@subversive1219]

Dee took congress to school that day! So did Frank Zappa.

[@RobbyPatterson]

2Live Crew & Luther Cambell also shut down this censorship Government

[@alexs.8401]

​@@jetagelullabyyes! This absolutely blows me away that Al and Tipper Gore were ... The LIBERALS. And that Dee Snyder's position was "the Government should back off, and let parents decide what's best for their kids" - a statement that would be familiar to today's Conservatives.

[@djkiddrocks1241]

Right, then the same dude when full commie apologist during cove aids and demanded everyone get the clot shot. Disgusting hypocrite and charlatan.

[@NordicDan]

Tipper Gore: the original Karen Legend has it she still wants to talk to Dee's manager

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha! Original Karen is right!

[@LaManteca76]

😂😂😂

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

Epic comment 😂

[@ObiPleasant]

Dee was a fantasy. Tipper wants to do more than talk to Dee's manager.

[@NordicDan]

@@ObiPleasant Oh man that's a visual I didn't need 😂

[@jimkanellakos4699]

Love that your son blasted Were Not Gonna Take It when you sent him to his room 😂. You're raising him well Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha! Thanks!

[@kurtvanluven9351]

@@ProfessorofRock I Played "I'm Moving Out" by Billy Joel (& my dad took it serious, oops!)

[@jimkanellakos4699]

​@@kurtvanluven9351😂

[@dtw63]

I sent my daughter to her room. She looked over her shoulder and said “ Jim Morrison was over rated!” I said” What have I told you about slamming Doors in this house!?” 😂

[@ricksatterstrom7461]

​@kurtvanluven9351 I played his "My Life" at age 11. My mom liked it & would remind me about what I played many times over the years.

[@FredGroenke55]

This is one of those songs that I think isn’t as big of a hit without the amazing video. It dominated MTV for months.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true. And it still stands up!

[@FredGroenke55]

Yep.

[@jamiepike6909]

If the only way you remember anything about the 70s and 80s is because you have photos as proof you were there, you’ll love this channel❤

[@SPak-rt2gb]

Lol ..How bout "If you remember one hour photo finishing" you'll love this channel

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great one! I'll use it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@SPak-rt2gb Good one!

[@kurtvanluven9351]

1. I worked at Fotomat 2. Lots of people do those "stamps" at a Grateful Dead Concert!

[@scottyo64]

I have no proof of anything I did in the 70's and 80's as it should be....😂

[@hectorsmommy1717]

I will never forget Dee Snider and John Denver testifying at the Senate hearings. Two of the most disparate persona's in music but united against censorship.

[@donaldkennedy9573]

Exactly. They thought with John Denver there he would be on their side. When he said that he didn't believe in censorship they were shocked. Zappa, Snider and Denver were united. That reminds me of "Married With Children." Terry Rakolta trashed the show and only made it more successful.

[@dad4ever-c90]

For 40 years I've listened to this song and never made the connection with the music from O Come All Ye Faithful. Now, I can't UNHEAR it. Merry Christmas, I guess!

[@maxshea1829]

Yeah! That's awesome!

[@ObiPleasant]

who'd a thunk it? If Dee hadn't told us would we have ever known?

[@ScottWaldenGuitar]

Same here.

[@scottburton9701]

Dee Snider hosts a syndicated radio show called "The House Of Hair" which airs every weekend on classic rock stations from coast to coast.

[@drewtheunspoken3988]

Years ago, I worked in a Union shop. As the then current contract was getting closer to expiration the company kept offering terrible deals. For the last 2 weeks of the pre-strike vote, this song was blasted from every stereo in the shop, on repeat, every day. It was annoying after a couple of days, but it aggravated the managers so it was worth it. I hate the way overly concerned parents and senators always want to control and censor every form of media. It's just funnier that the "Explicit Advisory" label sold more albums when it was applied.

[@BrandyStaples-d8l]

Even as an 8 or 9 year old the censorship hearings were bizarre. If you don't like it, don't listen to it. If you're a parent, pay attention to what your kids are doing.

[@jkdubya85]

Their Christmas album is shockingly good.

[@terrymyers699]

I saw the video first and then I was immediately online ordering it.

[@johnnydollar666]

Fist Pump to that!

[@Code.Name.V]

The Price is a really amazing song that did not get nearly the attention that it deserved.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed!

[@bartbluemusic]

The main anthem for rebels everywhere for the longest time, and still is for some. We used to listen to this song on the school bus every morning. By the time we got to our first class of the day, we were all pumped up. LOL. Such a great rocker! :)

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love it!

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

Oh my gosh, dude, you just summed up my childhood! 😂 Our school bus driver was a Metal-Head and we loved him for it! He'd crank AC/DC "Big Balls", Quiet Riot - "Metal Health" & "Cum On Feel The Noise", "We're Not Gonna Take It", and every other Head-Banger under the sun! He made going to school a blast!

[@albertmurillo7522]

The first time I saw Twisted Sister on MTV, was during a promo clip. They were singing, "You Can't Stop Rock N Roll." A few months later, they finally featured "I Wanna Rock"

[@Daisy-sc6tm]

I remember when it went down. I was so proud of Dee Snider. Not all of us were drugged out sex deviants. My favorite part was when he told Gore that maybe it was Tipper that had the dirty mind if she was finding dirty lyrics in his songs. He was amazing.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Mine too!

[@cannonball666]

Dee Snider is responsible for Howard Stern's perm. He basically told Howard he needs to stop looking like a nerd and more like a rock star.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@timmedlock996]

I can still recite the Dad's commentary to this day from memory. I remember, I went to record the whole video nto cassette tape and told my little brother not to say anything but he couldnt' refrain from it, say,ing what do want to do with your life? I want to rock! Messed up my recording and got walloped.

[@LaManteca76]

Lol, my coworker will ask me this every once in awhile. 😂

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@wendyrock4260]

Ok, I'm 65 years old and I still sing, yell, along with rebellious joy. LOL

[@PiratePrincessYuki]

Dee’s words at that senate hearing should be listened to even today. With growing censorship, the attack on The First and Second Amendments on the rise and the lack of parental responsibility that we see in this day and age… It makes me happy that I decided to be a stay home mom and homeschool our daughters. My girls are learning about The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and The Bill of Rights which seems to be lacking in public education recently.

[@catsclaw6648]

September of 1984 Cumberland County Civic Center Portland Maine. A group of friends wanted to go to the Twisted Sister concert so I went along. Dokkan and TNT were the opening acts. The arena was only half full. The following year they returned to a sold out show.🎸🎶🥁

[@TheRoadDawg]

In my view, they had several “hits” that were played on radio and Mtv constantly for several years. Maybe “chart wise” they had one hit, but for us that graduated in 85’, they were a mainstay for 2-3 years.

[@jayluck8047]

In the video, the kid turning into Dee Snider was like yourself turning into a superhero. It still gives me goosebumps every time I see it.

[@tedbecker4051]

While Kiss and Alice Cooper's look and stage presents drew large audiences, I don't think it worked for Twisted Sister. "We're Not Going to Take it" is a classic. The video for the song is one of the best of that era. It reminded me of the Saturday morning cartoons I watch as a child. I can definitely see Wylie Coyote's influence. 😄

[@ProfessorofRock]

True.

[@eauhomme]

The actor in the videos for "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It" is Mark Metcalf, who played sadistic frat boy Douglas Niedermeyer in "Animal House", and he basically recreates the character in the way he screams at the kids. As the teacher in "I Wanna Rock", he yells at a student for drawing on his textbook, the way he yelled at Flounder (Stephen Furst) for how he treated his horse. And in "We're Not Gonna Take It", he yells at the kid for wearing a Twisted Sister pin, as he yelled at Flounder for wearing a Delta House pledge pin.

[@billystutz55]

It’s crazy to think that anyone would consider Twisted Sister a one hit wonder?! They were huge and the way bigger than the charts reflect!

[@lfd_eng9219]

While I was a huge fan of the costumes back in the 80s...I definitely appreciated Twisted Sisters. The music rocked hard...and the lyrics, while simple in structure, were perfect! His lecture to the "board" was most excellent...and should be heard by all parents! Rock on, Professor!!!

[@jerryoxley1827]

Best video ever. "What do you want to do with your life?!" 😆These guys rocked hard. Dee Snider is one in a million.

[@ProfessorofRock]

The video rules! I wanna ROCK!

[@BigTimeRushFan2112]

Dee Snyder is a loser who made a few really great songs. Mic drop.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

@@ProfessorofRock Neidermeyer

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

Absolutely! 🤘😝🤘

[@DarkFlamage]

Oh Yeah? Well......... Earache My Eye!

[@DanieVargas]

I remember when Dee Snider came to DC! I WATCHED THE FEED (we have access to the Senate going’s on living in the area. Not sure if it’s a Nationwide cable channel). I was UTTERLY IMPRESSED! I should’ve known better at the time, but when he gave his speech, I was flabbergasted at how eloquent he was! He has well spoken, direct and got to the point QUICKLY! I was CHEERING HIM ON while watching! I never did like the song at the time (and I never did like the song years after), but the thoughts and emotions behind the song. I eased back on my diatribe of how “It sounds like every other song on the radio!” But his speech MADE ME THINK! WHY were the “Old Men” trying to dictate what I was listening to?! It’s MY CHOICE to listen to it, NOT THEIRS! They can continue listening to Perry Como and the Carpenters! I DONT LIKE THEM! I like my music LOUD and CRUNCHY! I never did get into TS, but I started listening to all their songs (just one time to give the band a fair shake) and ended up liking a COUPLE of their songs. And DONT GET ME STARTED IN TIPPER GORE AND HER CRONIES! I was convinced they were just being BORED HOUSEWIVES! Tipper’s “labels” had the OPPOSITE effect. Whenever a “kid” saw the label, they ABSOLUTELY HAD to get the album!! SCREW THE PARENTAL RATING! LOL… Yup, bored housewives.

[@brenturquhart7090]

Funny, I didn’t give theses guys much respect when they first came out. Thought they were not a serious rock group. But over the years I’ve gain more and more respect for them, that and their spot in rock history. Dee Schneider’s testimony before congress was a very important event in rock history. He wasn’t given much respect when he first came in, but he left with the panels respect. His testimony helped shape the modern rock we have today.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I know what you mean!

[@Willie_McBride]

Snider. Go listen to the You Can’t Stop Rock & Roll album if you still need to be convinced to accept them as a legitimate rock band. The title track, I Am I’m Me. Knife in the Back. Power & The Glory, The kids Are Back… That album just ROCKS!

[@Code.Name.V]

We're Right! We're free! We'll fight! You'll see!

[@ProfessorofRock]

!!! Amen!

[@briansnow9865]

I remember seeing this video for the first time. My first thought was... "Mama's gonna freak out!"

[@yvettevitacaponigro]

🤣😂👍🏻✌🏼😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

WEll? Did she?

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@yvettevitacaponigro Ha!

[@yvettevitacaponigro]

@@ProfessorofRock 👍🏻😊

[@bytornsnowdog1347]

The video parity to the movie by National Lampoon's, Animal House featuring Needlmier was so perfect. Their music video will always be one of the greatest in music or MTV history. "Now, drop down and give me 20..."

[@TerrickTerran]

Twisted Sister is proof that chart position is meaningless. Many people have hit #1 and vanished. Many more never reached that high but are still remembered many years later.

[@Code.Name.V]

Many songs that were hits simply do not age well, while others get even better over the course of time.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Exactly right!

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true!

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

​@@Code.Name.Vlike a fine wine 🍷

[@CostaRicaJack]

I remember that crazy circus. I saw the writing on the wall of what is to come from our government.

[@MichaelSundberg]

We’re Not Gonna Take It was a breath of fresh air in a stagnant world of continuous bureaucracy. Dee sang exactly what everyone was feeling. Yeah, and it even fit in the situation when a kid was being punished. A definite benchmark in music history.

[@ponzo1967]

It's funny how the Tipper Sticker became a badge of honor lol

[@Hugh-Janus_1776]

I'm glad Dee stood his ground on the three songs. Arguably, they shaped an entire decade of music. I don't know if the 80's would have been so great with only Depeche Mode and a Flock of Seagulls....

[@alman54]

I loved Twisted Sister's appearance in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Pee Wee runs past and yells "How's it going?" I laughed my head off the first time I saw that.

[@FelineGuitars]

The whole video owes more to National Lampoon's Animal House movie which was very popular just 4 years before, including having actor Mark Metcalf effectively revive his role of Douglas C. Neidermeyerin in the guise of "dad". I loved Twisted Sister and Dee remains a man of integrity to this day .

[@surlechapeau]

The theme song of so many workplaces!!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true.

[@etiennegregoire3091]

I loved it when Dee put it back to Mrs Gore about maybe because she saw certain things in the lyrics she was thinking about it herself.

[@ProfessorofRock]

He was so good!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Turns out after all these years, we're still taking it.

[@AnnaTrail-xp8pr]

Yeah unfortunately sad, but true

[@philipbaker5386]

The first Cassette I ever bought. I got Stay Hungry in 1986 while in 6th Grade. I played it a lot for 6 months until I lost the tape. 4 years later, I found it in the glove box of my Dad's unmarked squad car. He Borrowed it way back in the day to help stay awake while doing late night investigations. I think he played it more than I did.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@robinluker6497]

When you reminisced about being sent to your room, & sending your own son to his room, it reminded me of something my Mom once said to my brother: " I hope one day, you have one just like you!!!" And he did - my nephew, Josh!!! My Mom graduated high school in '58 & loved Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Little Richard, etc. But, she watched MTV w/ my brother & I. She had her own favorites & Not so favorites. For heavy metal, she loved The Scorpions. She has no problem w/ Madonna; "Lucky Star" her favorite by her. She went from hating Rod Stewart when I was little (I was born in '72, my brother '66), to Loving him in the '80s. For artists she didn't like: She thought Sting was boring, Prince was a pervert, & found Grace Jones weird!!! I'll stop there as I could go on. I recall her laughing at The Twisted Sister videos; we all recognized the father from the movie "Animal House".

[@jeromethiel4323]

Those music videos were hilarious. Still brings a smile to my face to this day. The actor that played the dad was absolutely a rock star in that music video.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree!

[@janislevonitis5657]

Wasn’t the dad Dee sans makeup?

[@jeromethiel4323]

@@janislevonitis5657 Don't think so. But i could be wrong.

[@Magnumaniac]

Saw Dee solo a few years ago at a festival. Superb performance - way better than I was expecting. He played the intro and opening verse of WNGTI on acoustic guitar, which gave the song a completely different feel and it lost the nursery rhyme element. Glad we never had to put up with the PMRC in the UK. That also reminds me of the idiots claiming Judas Priest were encouraging their fans to do stupid things (that youtube wouldn't like if I used the actual word) by playing a song backwards. I vividly remember Rob Halford giving evidence to an inquiry about that in the US, in his broad Black Country accent - totally destroyed their case.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Cool!

[@jackiemallon6601]

I am a 73 year old mother of three and I loved Twisted Sister and Dee Snider was an amazing singer. I love there rebellion songs.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love it!

[@DEECEE36]

I was 13 when this song came out, and would listen to it as loud as I could. 40 years later I still do.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome!

[@jenniferosuillibhain5148]

He had such a good show with his family. His wife is just the cutest but oh how they really loved each other and it came shinning through. Well done Dee-well done.

[@revwillyg6450]

Thanks for selling a lot of rock records, Tipper. That label was gold😂

[@whosrobertseed]

Dee has always been a famously stand up guy, I was on tour and that night we were playing at the Starland in Jersey, as I was changing my guitar strings during load in, I felt a tap on my shoulder and sure enough I turn around to see of all people in the planet the unmistakable Dee Snider introducing himself by name as if I didn’t already know HAHA. Turns out of course his kids are giant metal heads and had the pleasure of meeting them all. Over the next decade I ended up seeing them all a number of times, be it at starland ballroom, warped tour, you name it they would always be there for a good time.

[@curtmassie2483]

It was heartbreaking watching Dee Snyder turn into Al Gore, the type of person he hated. Seeing a rock icon turn into a corporatist wasn’t on my bingo card

[@afuzzycreature8387]

these types don't like it when it happens TO THEM. When it happens to others they're just fine, especially when they get old and scared.

[@petercena9497]

Not to mention his band was never any good.

[@borisblvd5354]

Todd Rundgren wrote an anti censorship song called "Jesse". As Todd described to "Rockline" host, Bob Coburn, "This song contains a certain word that starts with "F" & ends with "UCK, and it's NOT Firetruck"..The song "Jesse" repeats the "F" word ..15 -20 times..haha

[@CowGirlKat8691]

Memory, two young children just barely out of diapers pumping their tiny fists in the air in their play pen singing what they could to this song! mommy & I sipping pink lemonade laughing at their toddler defiance! It was hilarious! 🤠

[@rednab2001]

Twisted Sister's live show was incredible. Them, along with the Scorpions, were the tightest bands I heard all throughout the 90s. They sounded just like the album but even more powerful. You are right to say the 80's were so good. It was the glory years of rock and metal. It will never be that good again. Eighties music was just so much fun. So much excess and so much glam. I think the 80's rock/metal music can be summed up in the title of a Poison song "Nothing but a good time!"

[@johnc329]

and today Dee Snider's polital opinions are in lock step with national teacher's unions.

[@scottburton9701]

"We're Not Gonna Take It" still receives recurrent airplay on classic rock stations-It still packs a punch forty years later.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen!

[@Haakonisak]

It's crazy that Twisted Sister is consithered a one hit wonder. One of the truly classic rock/metalbands of the 80s

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding.

[@Haakonisak]

@@ProfessorofRock The testimony at the PMRC hearing is one of the true classic episodes in Rock history. His "Tipper Gore have a dirty mind" kick below the knees to Al Gore was precious.

[@tapoemt3995]

Was that the Maestro from Seinfeld?! 😂😂 Don't forget my Mercyful Fate was on that list too

[@Jims_Camera_at_dawn]

POR, I remember that time. Knew right away any album with that warning label would be an instant hit. DS is one smart man. Long live ROCK. Lets not forget truth can handle scrutiny. ☕️☕️🎶🎵🎶

[@dianewilliams1125]

I remember during those Senate hearings John Denver surprised everyone. Dee didn't think John could help their cause,but Denver did a great job. He had been involved in this Black listing thing because of "Rocky mountain High"! Wow,he needed to explain what that ment. Can you imagine? PEACE!

Adam - I was a junior in high school in 85' when this was going on. Dee Snider really gave it to them in that meeting. We all continue today say 'We're not going to take it'! Not sure how you come up with your deep in-depth research but love the way you share the information. Rock on - 3 chords and the truth!

[@bradjtrains]

I clearly remember all the videos, the music, their logo drawn on everything, and the hearings. The 80's were an awesome time to come of age. I am into music because I grew up in that era and on MTV. Back in 2006, Orioles baseball fans staged a protest and walked out after the 5th inning. It was filmed and a video ended up on this platform. It is set to "We're not gonna take it". (search "free the birds protest". It is not the first result, and the one just called "Free the Birds")

[@RC-qf3mp]

Everything I know about women, i learned from 1980s MTV videos. And I’ve subsequently bounced from one dysfunctional relationship to another. Thanks guys. 👍

[@lynnestamey7272]

Hell, that makes sense to me. I'm a 70 year old lady, rocker for life.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Whoa! Great comment. Makes you think.

[@RC-qf3mp]

@@ProfessorofRock my dream woman is the teacher from Hot For Teacher! Maybe do an episode just on her! She’s my favorite music video babe. Maybe have top 10 music video babes? Sexist, sure, but that’s the 80s. Own it.

[@gregfullerton2196]

My favorite cassette from my childhood was Stay Hungry. I would listen to it on my Walkman while delivering newspapers over and over. To the point where as the batteries would get weak, the tape would slow down. Making $12/week I couldn’t buy too many tapes or batteries so those items were precious to me!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@sunshinedaydream70]

Thank you Dee for speaking up for a generation and our first ammendment rights.

[@jamalstephenson7140]

I Wanna Rock was also great!

[@jongilbertson2106]

There was a car commercial where I Wanna Rock was played on violin.

[@TheOnespeedbiker]

Interesting the 1985 Senate hearing on the music industry, so called decentcy and offensive lyrics, not only included Dee Snider and Frank Zappa, but also John Denver who was a huge advocate for the freedom of speech and artistic freedom (and for parental responsibility to monitor the music their children listened to).

[@-KingOfKhaos]

Twisted Sister was always massively popular by us in the NY / NJ region early 80’s… it was great when we all got to witness the band blow up like they did!

[@ProfessorofRock]

So cool!

[@nichecartoons]

Hard to imagine that Dee thought the album was "tamed down" when later, he thought it was a great idea to do a cover of "Leader Of The Pack." I think that song killed their career.

[@benitopulatso6637]

The Animal House connection isn't just in the video, the spoken part that Dee does on the fade out of the album version is taken from Metcalf's Neidermeier character.

[@FrizleFry00]

I remember when I first saw this video. To me, it was the best video ever made at that point! It is still amazing! I love hearing the stories about your dad and your son. Hopefully, your boy takes over for you one day down the road. Cheers, Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

We'll see! He's certainly on his way! Thanks!

[@NoahBarzel]

woooohoooooo a Slade mention. I am still waiting for the Professor of Rock to give Slade their own video. You know Christmas is around the corner ;)

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

The older I get, and the more insanity I witness in modern music and politics, the more privileged I feel to have grown up surrounded and shaped by the amazing artists and music of the 1980's.

[@rogertemple7193]

You always bring the classic bands and artists from the past back to the present along with the greatest songs and albums that they put out and you keep the great Rock n Roll memories alive Thank You Professor.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶

[@cannonball666]

I'm not gonna take it. The New York Dolls were the original glam rock band. Come all ye faithful!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Yep!

[@terryogrady5361]

No they weren’t!!!! T Rex and Slade were!!

[@duromusabc]

It’s like Quiet Riot’s Come On Feel The Noise ! Gets you pumped up ! These were the 2 big hits in late 1983 that I remember as a 6th grade boy !

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@LaurindaBellinger]

Rock is not a genre I really got into, but I remember this as a kid! I wondered how anyone famous is responsible for fans interpretations of lyrics, actions etc... Hip Hop was also becoming scrutinized at this time. Gore got owned by Dee on parenting. I will now always hear "O Come All Ye Faithful" when this song is played. wow

[@maxshea1829]

Mark Metcalf played the dad in the video. Actor Metcalf is best known for his role as the ROTC instructor in "Animal House," Douglas C. Neidermeyer. "A PLEDGE PIN! ON YOUR UNIFORM! YOU'RE A DISGRACE! DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY!" I don't know if it was the band's idea to recruit Mr. Metcalf and his Neidermeyer character for the videos, but it was a brilliant move. We all loved Animal House, the ultimate F.U. to authority. The late Stephen Furst appears in "I Wanna Rock." Furst played Kent Dorfman, the object of Neidermeyer's abuse. "OH BOY! IS THIS GREAT!" The ironic thing about fuddy duddy Al Gore is he didn't like Twisted Sister, who didn't do drugs. But he and Tipper loved the Grateful Dead, who did lots and lots of drugs. Al and Tipper used to go back stage and talk to Jerry and the guys. They hypocrisy! It Burns!

[@restoredaccess]

They did a video for O Come All Ye Faithful recently too. The guitar solo kind of blends into We’re Not Gonna Take It

[@brenturquhart7090]

I find the fact that Schneider wrote a very successful Christmas song recorded by Céline Dion hilarious. I remember he gave a house tour for some show, and referred to his house as the home build by Dion. Absolutely hilarious.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@debbie4503]

I LOVE THAT SONG! We're Not Going To Take It!

[@johnwilson8775]

If I remember correctly, Snider also had his teeth filed to points for the Congressional occasion?

[@LMacNeill]

Man, that song (and the video) were *EVERYWHERE* back in the day! I'm surprised it only hit 21 on the top 100. Figured it must've easily made the top 10. I remember seeing Dee Snyder on the news giving his testimony to Congress. He sure wiped the floor with those busybodies. But, yeah, they weren't there to be educated, they were there to grandstand, like all politicians do. Ridiculous. 🙄

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true. SHould've been #1

[@tailkinker1972]

It took me a second to figure out that this song was to the tune of "Adeste Fidelis"...and now, I can't un-hear it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

RIght?

[@chrisggoodwin777]

Twisted F***ing Sister was a well-done documentary, also. I've enjoyed listening to Dee's House of Hair radio show, too.

[@J1W5M7]

Oh Come All Ye Faithful? My head just exploded. That's so funny.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Right?

[@ricksatterstrom7461]

Same here. I'm glad he finally finished it !!

[@willjones1823]

I seem to have lost my copy of the Christmas album they released. Need to find it again. Hard to believe it works so well.

[@shabadoo24]

I grew up with all this music. In 84, i was 8.

[@musclecarmitch908]

This music came after my time but my younger brother loved it! I liked it and respected it and listened along with him and his friends. Dee Snider seems like a great guy to me, glad he stood up for the music!👍

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

The one guy in black walking into the kitchen looks like Mrs. Hyde Alice of the Brady Bunch

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha!

[@ShelleybutyoucancallmeShell]

🤣👍♥️

[@Code.Name.V]

Greetings music junkies!

[@TerrickTerran]

greetings

[@FredGroenke55]

Happy TGIF, Code.

[@Code.Name.V]

Alright! It's my favorite Terrick AND my favorite Fred!

[@FredGroenke55]

😂

[@TerrickTerran]

@@Code.Name.V yup.

[@KaristaSwiss]

Wait!!!😮😮😮😮 Oh come all ye faithful... ??? We're not going to take it???

[@BouillaBased]

The PMRC did so much to raise awareness...of exactly what kids wanted to hear at the time. There couldn't have been any better promotion than to land in the PMRC's sights.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Good call!

[@Neilfrozn]

I have never understood why this was their biggest hit. I Wanna Rock is, by far, their best song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I love both!

[@Pulsatyr]

One of the best aspects of Stay Hungry was the liner notes. I read them dozens of times and they never failed to bring a smile to my face. The album was a complete package, something missing from today's music. I wore out that album twice and started searching out earlier Twisted Sister albums, even from Europe. Even my Mom, a Country fan, loved it and never asked me to turn down the volume!

[@ProfessorofRock]

I miss liner notes!