Twisted Sister, the glam metal band that exploded out of New York, experienced a whirlwind journey to fame. Their rise was meteoric, but perhaps even more rapid was their slide from the mainstream spotlight. This quick shift might seem unduly harsh for a band that spent nearly a decade tirelessly honing their craft in clubs and bars before their breakthrough. Known for their electrifying live shows and anthemic rock sound, Twisted Sister deserves their place in the pantheon of rock history, and thankfully, time has been kind to their legacy.
Fronted by the unmistakable Dee Snider, Twisted Sister left an indelible mark on a generation of music fans, warping minds and shaping formative tastes with their rebellious spirit and powerful music. It’s with great pleasure that we delve into their discography to present a countdown of the Top 10 Twisted Sister songs that truly define their impact.
10. Love Is For Suckers
We kick off our list of essential Songs By Twisted Sister with the title track from their final studio album of the 1980s, Love is for Suckers. By this point, unintentional overexposure and changing musical landscapes had led to their fourth album, Come Out and Play, being critically panned by the hard rock press. Love is for Suckers, released in 1987, reflects a more cynical outlook, yet it’s undeniably a powerful and resonant track, showcasing the band’s enduring ability to deliver hard-hitting rock anthems even amidst industry pressures.
9. Ride to Live, Live to Ride
Just four years prior to Love is for Suckers, Twisted Sister stood on the cusp of major success. Their sophomore album, You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll, released in 1983, was a powerhouse of hard rock, brimming with killer tracks and devoid of filler. While numerous songs from this album could easily make this list (“The Kids Are Back,” “Like a Knife in the Back,” for example), we’ve chosen the high-octane biker anthem “Ride to Live, Live to Ride.” This song perfectly encapsulates the band’s unstoppable momentum at the time, declaring their arrival on the scene with full force.
8. Sin After Sin
The journey to success was far from certain just a year before You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll. In 1982, Twisted Sister unleashed their raw and gritty debut album, Under the Blade, through the independent British label Secret Records. At this stage, mainstream recognition in the US still seemed distant. However, Under the Blade contained the seeds of their future triumphs, with headbanging tracks like “Sin After Sin” showcasing their raw energy and developing sound that would ultimately propel them to stardom.
7. Burn in Hell
Despite the pop sensibilities present on their breakthrough album Stay Hungry, Twisted Sister proved they could deliver straight-up metal just as effectively as any of their contemporaries. “Burn in Hell” is a prime example, beginning with a slow, brooding intro reminiscent of Alice Cooper before exploding into a thunderous riff worthy of Judas Priest. The song’s dark and powerful energy made it a standout track and further showcased the band’s versatility. Adding to its iconic status, Twisted Sister famously performed “Burn in Hell” in the movie Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, demonstrating their willingness to playfully mock their own image.
6. I’ll Never Grow Up, Now!
Twisted Sister’s origins trace back to 1972, a long and arduous road before achieving widespread recognition. As the 1970s drew to a close without a record deal in sight, they took matters into their own hands, recording and self-releasing a single. This single featured “I’ll Never Grow Up, Now!”, a defiant, Alice Cooper-esque track that marked a shift towards a heavier sound. This song was a crucial turning point, foreshadowing the musical direction that would eventually bring Twisted Sister the success they had relentlessly pursued.
5. What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
Another powerhouse track from Under the Blade, the album’s opening song, “What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You),” introduced European audiences to Twisted Sister’s clever and often menacing use of double entendres, all wrapped in bone-crushing riffs and catchy hooks. This song perfectly exemplified the band’s central dichotomy: juxtaposing their scary/friendly image – the glam makeup and vibrant outfits against their heavy music and somewhat intimidating appearances. This contrast would soon become a key part of their appeal, attracting a broad fanbase.
4. I Wanna Rock
After years of relentless effort and evolution throughout the 70s and early 80s, Twisted Sister finally discovered the “golden formula” for commercial success with their platinum-selling third album, Stay Hungry. Released in 1984, Stay Hungry balanced their signature hard rock anthems like “Burn in Hell,” “Street Justice,” and “S.M.F.” with irresistibly catchy, Snider-penned singles like “I Wanna Rock.” The unforgettable music video for “I Wanna Rock,” featuring Mark Metcalf as the frustrated teacher, catapulted the song into the hearts of fans and onto MTV, solidifying their mainstream breakthrough.
3. Under the Blade
Unapologetically heavy, intensely unnerving, and raw, the title track from Twisted Sister’s debut album, Under the Blade, was a stark contrast to the more radio-friendly melodic rock songs that would later propel them to mainstream success. Ironically, despite its raw intensity, “Under the Blade” later faced controversy and accusations of promoting violence and sadomasochism. Dee Snider clarified that the lyrics were actually about a friend undergoing surgery, highlighting the often misunderstood nature of artistic interpretation.
2. You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll
Serving as a crucial stepping stone towards Twisted Sister’s imminent breakthrough in numerous ways – blending metal with melody, showcasing their visual duality of denim and spandex, and featuring a self-deprecating music video – the title track to their sophomore album, You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll, is a force of nature in its own right. It stands as a definitive 80s hard rock classic, a testament to their musical prowess and growing confidence.
1. We’re Not Gonna Take It
And finally, no other song is more fitting to claim the No. 1 spot on our list of Top 10 Twisted Sister Songs than their certified smash hit anthem, “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Its universally relatable message of rebellion resonated deeply, even landing the song on the Parents Music Resource Center’s (P.M.R.C.) infamous “Filthy Fifteen” list. This controversy alone cemented Twisted Sister’s significant cultural impact during the 1980s. But beyond the controversy, the enduring power and sheer rock energy of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” solidify its place as Twisted Sister’s signature song and a timeless rock anthem.
