We're Not Gonna Take It

Album: Tommy (1969)
Play Video
  • Welcome to the Camp
    I guess you all know why we're here
    My name is Tommy
    And I became aware this year

    If you want to follow me
    You've got to play pinball
    And put in your earplugs
    Put on your eye shades
    You know where to put the cork

    Hey you getting drunk, so sorry!
    I've got you sussed
    Hey you smoking Mother Nature!
    This is a bust!
    Hey hung up old Mr. Normal
    Don't try to gain my trust!
    'Cause you ain't gonna follow me any of those ways
    Although you think you must

    We're not gonna take it
    We're not gonna take it
    We're not gonna take it
    We're not gonna take it

    We're not gonna take it
    Never did and never will
    We're not gonna take it
    Gonna break it, gonna shake it
    Let's forget it better still

    Now you can't hear me
    Your ears are truly sealed
    You can't speak either
    Your mouth is filled
    You can't see nothing
    And pinball completes the scene
    Here comes Uncle Ernie to guide you to
    Your very own machine

    We're not gonna take it
    We're not gonna take it
    We're not gonna take it
    We're not gonna take it

    We're not gonna take it
    Never did and never will
    Don't want no religion
    And as far as we can tell
    We ain't gonna take you
    Never did and never will
    We're not gonna take you
    We forsake you
    Gonna rape you
    Let's forget you better still

    We forsake you
    Gonna rape you
    Let's forget you better still

    See me
    Feel me
    Touch me
    Heal me

    See me
    Feel me
    Touch me
    Heal me

    See me
    Feel me
    Touch me
    Heal me

    See me
    Feel me
    Touch me
    Heal me

    Listening to you
    I get the music
    Gazing at you
    I get the heat
    Following you
    I climb the mountains
    I get excitement at your feet

    Right behind you
    I see the millions
    On you
    I see the glory
    From you
    I get opinions
    From you
    I get the story

    Listening to you
    I get the music
    Gazing at you
    I get the heat
    Following you
    I climb the mountains
    I get excitement at your feet

    Right behind you
    I see the millions
    On you
    I see the glory
    From you
    I get opinions
    From you
    I get the story

    Listening to you
    I get the music
    Gazing at you
    I get the heat
    Following you
    I climb the mountains
    I get excitement at your feet

    Right behind you
    I see the millions
    On you
    I see the glory Writer/s: Peter Townshend
    Publisher: Abkco Music Inc., Spirit Music Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Ken from Louisville, KyIn the 1975 movie version of Tommy, Pete wrote additional lyrics for a chrous to sing, which explains the story of the "followers" rebelling against the Tommy cult.
  • Audrey from Peace, AlIs Listening to You even considered a song anywhere? It certainly should be by itself because it was played all through the end of the movie and I kinda got confused trying to find it on the record...
  • Audrey from Peace, AlI hate how on the Tommy record, See Me Feel Me, We're Not Gonna Take It, and Listening to You are all grouped together. I see them as seperate songs, but I guess if you are following the story they go together. I adore the movie!
  • Josh from Westborough, Mawhat do u mean it doesnt age well?! tommy is awesome!
  • Avery from Bucksport, Methis song might be about a teenage rebalion but its awesome
  • Scott from Boston, MaDavid, I think I'm living proof of that claim. I'm 18 and The Who are my favorite band. I like Tommy, but I like Quadrophenia quite a bit more. I'm not sure if I'd feel that same way had I actually been alive when Tommy came out.
  • David from Youngstown, OhAlong with Christmas, this is my favorite song on Tommy. To me, Tommy is a great record, but doesn't age well. On the other hand, Quadrophenia is as great as it was when it was released in '73.
  • Jon from Tucson, AzWe're Not Gonna Take It is the last track on Tommy. The "See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You" part was later released as a single in the U.S. In the Woodstock movie, only See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You is shown but the song is listed as "We're Not Gonna Take It."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?