What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)

Album: Under the Blade (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first track on the first Twisted Sister album, this song begins with the line, "Welcome to our show" after a perfunctory "Good evening..."

    As might be deduced from this, it is a show opener, one the band were still using two decades on, including when they played the London Astoria in 2004.

    Written by frontman Dee Snider, the original recording runs to 4 minutes 45 seconds. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • The title is a play on the phrase "what you don't know won't hurt you." The song is a rallying cry for the band, explaining that they're going to disturb some people, but they're not going anywhere. The band made good on this promise, becoming one of the most successful metal bands of the '80s, and also a polarizing one; Dee Snider testified at the PMRC hearings on the issue of putting Parental Advisory stickers on albums with offensive content. Their song "We're Not Gonna Take It" was one of 15 the PMRC cited as examples of such offensive material.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.