Nonconformists Unite Song Lyrics About Rebellion

Musicians have expressed their rebellion against societys norms through hairstyles, makeup, clothing, tattoos, piercings, and outrageous behavior. But beyond all these superficial trappings, theyve expressed rebellion through enduring song lyrics. These lyrics span subjects ranging from rebelling against politics to rebelling against your parents for asking you to do something as ridiculous as cleaning your room. These songs and their lyrics are rallying anthems that get our adrenaline flowing, our fists pumping, release our frustrations, and give us the guts to fight back. Here are a few of those songs:


Were Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister

This rollicking 1984 hit, with its call-to arms chorus and lyrics like, Well fight the powers that be/Just dont pick our destiny/Cause you dont know us, you dont belong, crossed genre lines to become a universal battle cry. Penned by singer Dee Snider, he said the lyrics were inspired by the glam rock band Slade, the Sex Pistols, and the Christmas carol, O Come All Ye Faithful. Strange ingredients that formed a potent, rebellious brew.

Anarchy in the U.K. by the Sex Pistols

Throw a dart at just about any Sex Pistols song, and youll hit one with lyrics about rebellion. But this fierce song was one of the most blatantthe title says it all. And lyrics like, I am an antichrist/I am an anarchist/Dont know what I want/But I know how to get it/I wanna destroy the passerby hammer the point home. When singer Johnny Rotten was writing the song, he first came up with the lyrics, I am an antichrist. Unable to think of anything that rhymed with antichrist, he devised the now-infamous sneering pronunciation of an-ar-KHIST.

Revolution by the Beatles

This was the first Beatles song containing bluntly political lyrics, including, You say you want a revolution/Well you know/We all want to change the world. John Lennons lyrics were inspired by his relationship with politically oriented Yoko Ono, and 1968s social turmoil. Paul McCartney was concerned the political lyrics would clash with the Beatles style, but those lyrics went on to profoundly influence many generations.

(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!) by the Beastie Boys

One of the Beastie Boys best known songs, its lyrics are packed with teenage rebellion: Your pops caught you smoking and he said, No way!/That hypocrite smokes two packs a day.../You gotta fight for your right to party! Although its lyrics became the motto of millions, the song was meant to parody party and attitude songs. Upset that audiences misinterpreted the satire of the lyrics, the band hasnt played the song live since 1987.

My Generation by The Who

This classic songs angry lyrics may sum up teenage rebellion better than any other: Why dont you all fade away/And dont try to dig what we all say. The lyrics expressed youths frustration that older people didnt get it. Pete Townsend supposedly wrote the song in a fury on a train after the Queen Mother had his 1935 Packard hearse towed because she was offended by the sight of it.

These songs and their lyricsamong many othersexpress our feelings of rebellion when we cant quite put them into words. And theyre just plain great to listen to, as well!