The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
We've got the right to choose it
There ain't no way we'll lose it
This is our life, this is our song
We'll fight the powers that be, just
Don't pick our destiny 'cause
You don't know us, you don't belong
We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
Oh, you're so condescending
Your gall is never ending
We don't want nothin', not a thing from you
Your life is trite and jaded
Boring and confiscated
If that's your best, your best won't do
Whoa
Whoa
We're right (yeah)
We're free (yeah)
We'll fight (yeah)
You'll see (yeah)
Whoa, whoa, we're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
No way
Whoa
Whoa
We're right (yeah)
We're free (yeah)
We'll fight (yeah)
You'll see (yeah)
We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
We're not gonna take it (no)
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
Just you try and make us
We're not gonna take it (come on)
No, we ain't gonna take it
(You're all worthless and weak)
We're not gonna take it anymore
(Now drop and give me twenty)
We're not gonna take it
(A pledge pin)
No, we ain't gonna take it
(On your uniform)
We're not gonna take it anymore
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
We've got the right to choose it
There ain't no way we'll lose it
This is our life, this is our song
We'll fight the powers that be, just
Don't pick our destiny 'cause
You don't know us, you don't belong
We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
Oh, you're so condescending
Your gall is never ending
We don't want nothin', not a thing from you
Your life is trite and jaded
Boring and confiscated
If that's your best, your best won't do
Whoa
Whoa
We're right (yeah)
We're free (yeah)
We'll fight (yeah)
You'll see (yeah)
Whoa, whoa, we're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
No way
Whoa
Whoa
We're right (yeah)
We're free (yeah)
We'll fight (yeah)
You'll see (yeah)
We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
We're not gonna take it (no)
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore
Just you try and make us
We're not gonna take it (come on)
No, we ain't gonna take it
(You're all worthless and weak)
We're not gonna take it anymore
(Now drop and give me twenty)
We're not gonna take it
(A pledge pin)
No, we ain't gonna take it
(On your uniform)
We're not gonna take it anymore
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this song is about the gov. telling us how to live, in an error where we are put last, as americans..it's about long haired rockers taking whats rightfully ours, our own freedom and dignity.. and thats why the gov banned this song in the 80's but now in 2003 as u may know the banned pact on this song revoked, cause there is way too much music to banned everything, ex: eminem