Like many hard rock and metal bands that exploded onto the scene in the 1980s, Twisted Sister’s journey to fame was both rapid and intense, followed by a downturn that felt equally swift. Unlike some of their contemporaries whose decline was attributed to shifting musical tastes later in the decade, Twisted Sister’s experience was arguably accelerated by what some perceived as overexposure. This was a particularly harsh twist of fate for a band that had tirelessly honed their craft for nearly a decade in clubs and bars, building a reputation for electrifying live performances long before mainstream success arrived. However, time has been kind to Twisted Sister, and their legacy as a pivotal act of the 80s hard rock scene has been rightfully cemented.
This New York-born quintet, led by the unmistakable frontman Dee Snider, left an indelible mark on a generation of music fans, shaping their formative tastes and broadening their musical horizons. It is with great enthusiasm that we present our definitive list of the Top 10 Twisted Sister Songs, celebrating the band’s most iconic and enduring tracks.
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- Love Is for Suckers (Love Is for Suckers, 1987)
Kicking off our countdown of essential Twisted Sister songs is the title track from their final studio album of the 1980s, Love Is for Suckers. By 1987, the band had experienced what some considered unintentional overexposure, and their preceding album, Come Out and Play, faced criticism from segments of the hard rock media. In response, Love Is for Suckers emerged as a decidedly cynical yet undeniably powerful statement. The title track itself is a potent slice of late-era Twisted Sister, showcasing their enduring musical muscle even as the landscape around them was changing. It serves as a strong and somewhat pessimistic closing statement to their decade of dominance.
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- Ride to Live, Live to Ride (You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1983)
Fast forward just four years prior to Love Is for Suckers, and Twisted Sister stood at the precipice of a major breakthrough. Their sophomore album, You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll, released in 1983, was a masterclass in hard rock consistency, packed with anthems from start to finish. The album was so strong that numerous tracks could easily have found a place on this list, including standouts like “The Kids Are Back” and “Like a Knife in the Back.” However, “Ride to Live, Live to Ride” earns its spot as a quintessential biker anthem, embodying the band’s unstoppable momentum at this pivotal point in their career. The title itself became a rallying cry, reflecting the feeling that nothing could halt Twisted Sister’s ascent.
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- Sin After Sin (Under the Blade, 1982)
The journey to success for Twisted Sister was far from overnight. After nearly a decade of relentless gigging and striving for recognition in the United States, their breakthrough still seemed uncertain just a year before You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1982, they unleashed their debut album, Under the Blade, through the independent British label Secret Records. This album showcased a raw and aggressive sound, a testament to their years of honing their craft in the trenches of the club scene. Tracks like “Sin After Sin” were powerful headbangers that demonstrated the band’s potential. While success wasn’t guaranteed at this stage, Under the Blade laid the groundwork for everything that was to follow.
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- Burn in Hell (Stay Hungry, 1984)
Despite the undeniable pop sensibilities that permeated Stay Hungry, Twisted Sister proved they could deliver straightforward, hard-hitting metal as effectively as any of their contemporaries. “Burn in Hell” is a prime example, commencing with a slow, brooding intro reminiscent of Alice Cooper before exploding into a thunderous riff that could stand toe-to-toe with Judas Priest. The song is a masterclass in dynamic shifts and heavy metal theatrics. Adding to its appeal, Twisted Sister showcased their self-deprecating humor by performing “Burn in Hell” in the iconic 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, further cementing its place in pop culture.
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- I’ll Never Grow Up, Now! (Single, 1979)
Twisted Sister’s origins trace back to 1972, and as the 1970s drew to a close without a record deal in sight, they took matters into their own hands. In 1979, they independently recorded and released “I’ll Never Grow Up, Now!” as a single. This defiant anthem, infused with Alice Cooper-esque theatricality, marked a significant shift towards a heavier sound for the band. It foreshadowed the musical direction that would eventually bring Twisted Sister the recognition they had long deserved. This single is a crucial early piece of their discography, showcasing their evolving sound and unwavering determination.
Twisted Sister I'll Never Grow Up, Now! single cover
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- What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You) (Under the Blade, 1982)
Another standout track from Under the Blade, the album’s opening salvo, “What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You)”, introduced audiences, primarily in Europe initially, to Twisted Sister’s clever use of menacing double entendres combined with powerful riffs and catchy hooks. This song perfectly encapsulates the band’s intriguing dichotomy – the contrast between their visually striking glam makeup and vibrant outfits and their raw, heavy music and somewhat intimidating stage presence. This interplay of scary and friendly elements became a key part of Twisted Sister’s appeal and would soon resonate with a much wider audience.
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- I Wanna Rock (Stay Hungry, 1984)
After years of relentless effort and refinement throughout the 1970s and early 80s, Twisted Sister finally discovered the “golden formula” for mainstream commercial success with their platinum-selling album, Stay Hungry. While the album featured typically powerful Twisted Sister hard rockers like “Burn in Hell,” “Street Justice,” and “S.M.F.”, it was the undeniably catchy, Dee Snider-penned singles that propelled it to the top. “I Wanna Rock” was one of these hits, further amplified by its unforgettable and frequently aired music video on MTV. The song became an anthem of rebellion and youthful exuberance, capturing the spirit of the 80s rock scene.
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- Under the Blade (Under the Blade, 1982)
Unapologetically heavy, intensely unsettling, and raw in its sonic delivery, the title track from Twisted Sister’s debut album, Under the Blade, stood in stark contrast to the more melodic and commercially-oriented rock anthems that would later catapult them to mainstream fame. Ironically, despite its aggressive sound, “Under the Blade” later became a target of controversy, accused of promoting violence and sadomasochism. Dee Snider famously clarified that the lyrics actually referred to a friend’s distressing experience undergoing surgery, highlighting the often-misunderstood nature of artistic expression and interpretation.
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- You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll (You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1983)
While serving as a crucial stepping stone towards Twisted Sister’s impending breakthrough in numerous aspects – blending metal with melody, showcasing their visual duality with denim and spandex, and featuring a memorable, self-aware music video – the title track to their sophomore album, “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll,” is a powerhouse in its own right. It’s a definitive 80s hard rock classic, embodying the energy, attitude, and musical prowess that defined the era. The song is a testament to Twisted Sister’s growing confidence and their unwavering commitment to rock and roll.
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- We’re Not Gonna Take It (Stay Hungry, 1984)
Undisputedly claiming the top spot on our list of Top 10 Twisted Sister Songs is their certified smash hit anthem, “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Its universally relatable message of rebellion and defiance resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, propelling it to the heights of the charts. The song’s cultural impact was further amplified when it landed on the Parents Music Resource Center’s (P.M.R.C.) infamous “Filthy Fifteen” list, a dubious honor that ironically solidified Twisted Sister’s status as defiant rock icons of the 1980s. Beyond the controversy, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” remains a timeless rock anthem, a testament to Twisted Sister’s enduring musical legacy.
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Next: Twisted Sister Albums Ranked Worst to Best
