We're Not Gonna Take It
The Who Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Overall Meaning

"We're Not Gonna Take It" is a song by The Who from their rock opera Tommy. The song is about the singer, Tommy, who becomes a cult leader after being traumatized by witnessing his father's murder. In the context of the opera, the song comes at a point when Tommy has taken over a camp filled with disillusioned youth who are searching for answers. The song is about the rejection of traditional authority and the search for new beliefs and ways of life. The lyrics describe Tommy's challenge to the campers to follow him and his rejection of those he deems unworthy.


The first verse is sung by Tommy and is a call to the others at the camp to follow him. The second verse is a rejection of those who are using drugs or alcohol to escape from reality, or those who are trying to be "normal" and conform to societal expectations. Tommy believes that these people cannot truly understand or follow him. The chorus, "We're not gonna take it," is a statement of defiance and a rejection of the status quo. Tommy is saying that he and his followers will not accept the way things are and will seek out something new.


The third verse is a description of the sensory deprivation that Tommy uses to control the others at the camp. By encouraging them to play pinball and putting earplugs and eye shades on them, he is able to take away their sense of hearing and sight, and control what they are thinking about. The fourth verse is a continuation of the ideas presented in the second verse, where Tommy rejects traditional religion and those who are trying to control or manipulate him. The line "Gonna break it, gonna shake it" is an affirmation of the idea that Tommy will not be controlled by anyone else.


The final section of the song features the repeating of the lines "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me." This is a continuation of the themes of sensory deprivation and control that appear earlier in the song. Tommy is saying that by following him, his followers will be able to experience something more meaningful and transformative than anything they have experienced before. The repeated chorus of "We're not gonna take it" is a reminder that this change is necessary and that they will not be deterred.


Line by Line Meaning

Welcome to the Camp
The singer greets the audience and acknowledges that they are all gathered for a common purpose.


I guess you all know why we're here
The singer assumes that the audience already understands the nature of the gathering and its purpose.


My name is Tommy
The singer introduces himself to the audience by name.


And I became aware this year
The singer suggests that he has recently gained a new level of understanding or consciousness.


If you want to follow me
The singer suggests that he is leading or guiding the audience in some way.


You've got to play pinball
The singer uses 'pinball' as a metaphor for the journey the audience must take in order to follow him.


And put in your earplugs
The singer advises the audience to block out any external distractions or noise.


Put on your eye shades
The singer advises the audience to eliminate any visual distractions or influences that might interfere with their journey.


You know where to put the cork
The singer uses 'cork' as a metaphor for the negative emotions and attitudes that might prevent the audience from following him.


Hey you getting drunk, so sorry!
The singer addresses a specific individual in the audience who may be under the influence of alcohol or other substances.


I've got you sussed
The singer claims to have a deep understanding of this person's character or motives.


Hey you smoking Mother Nature!
The singer addresses a specific individual in the audience who may be harming the environment through their actions.


This is a bust!
The singer makes it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated or accepted.


Hey hung up old Mr. Normal
The singer addresses a specific individual in the audience who adheres to conventional or conformist attitudes and behaviors.


Don't try to gain my trust!
The singer warns this person not to try and alter the course of the journey or challenge his leadership.


'Cause you ain't gonna follow me any of those ways
The singer asserts that such attitudes and behaviors are incompatible with his vision and mission.


Although you think you must
The singer acknowledges that some members of the audience may think they need to conform or obey, but he rejects that notion.


We're not gonna take it
The singer and his followers assert their collective refusal to submit to the status quo or accept things as they are.


Never did and never will
The singer emphasizes the steadfastness of his commitment to this stance.


Gonna break it, gonna shake it
The singer asserts that he and his followers will actively work to dismantle or disrupt the forces they oppose.


Let's forget it better still
The singer suggests that it would be best for all involved if they could simply move on from the conflict and opposition.


Now you can't hear me
The singer implies that the non-believers or opponents are no longer capable of understanding or hearing his message.


Your ears are truly sealed
The singer suggests that the non-believers or opponents are closed-minded and cannot be swayed or convinced by his arguments or reasoning.


You can't speak either
The singer suggests that the non-believers or opponents are unwilling or unable to enter into meaningful dialogue or debate.


Your mouth is filled
The singer uses 'mouth' as a metaphor for the negative attitudes or beliefs that the non-believers or opponents cannot let go of.


You can't see nothing
The singer suggests that the non-believers or opponents are blind to the true nature of reality or the situation.


And pinball completes the scene
The singer references the earlier metaphor of pinball to suggest that the non-believers or opponents are wandering aimlessly and without purpose or direction.


Here comes Uncle Ernie to guide you to Your very own machine
The singer references a specific character from The Who's rock opera Tommy to suggest that there is someone who can still guide the non-believers or opponents to their own path.


Don't want no religion
The singer asserts that their opposition to the status quo is not based on any particular religious belief or doctrine.


And as far as we can tell
The singer suggests that he and his followers are not certain about the true nature of reality or the best path forward, but they reject the status quo nonetheless.


We ain't gonna take you
The singer and his followers assert that they do not need or want the non-believers or opponents to join them or support them in their mission.


We forsake you
The singer and his followers actively reject or abandon the non-believers or opponents.


Gonna rape you
The singer uses 'rape' as a metaphor for the violent or forceful ways in which they will defy or fight against the non-believers or opponents.


Let's forget you better still
The singer suggests that it would be best to move on and forget about the non-believers or opponents entirely.


See me
The singer asserts his own identity and presence.


Feel me
The singer suggests that he is deeply engaged and connected with the world around him.


Touch me
The singer suggests that he is open and receptive to the experiences and perspectives of others.


Heal me
The singer suggests that he seeks healing and wholeness for himself and others.


Listening to you
The singer suggests that he is open and receptive to the perspectives and opinions of others.


I get the music
The singer suggests that he finds inspiration and understanding in the music of others.


Gazing at you
The singer suggests that he is deeply engaged and focused on the people and world around him.


I get the heat
The singer suggests that he is passionate and energetic about his mission and purpose.


Following you
The singer suggests that he is willing to learn from and be guided by the experiences and perspectives of others.


I climb the mountains
The singer uses 'mountains' as a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles he must overcome in pursuit of his mission.


I get excitement at your feet
The singer suggests that he finds motivation and inspiration in the accomplishments and successes of those around him.


Right behind you
The singer suggests that he is supporting and following others on their own journey or mission.


I see the millions
The singer recognizes the vast number of people who share his views and mission.


On you
The singer suggests that these millions are themselves engaged in their own journey or mission.


I see the glory
The singer recognizes the accomplishments and successes of others who share his mission.


From you
The singer recognizes that these accomplishments and successes are a result of the determination and hard work of others.


I get opinions
The singer suggests that he values the perspectives and viewpoints of others.


From you
The singer recognizes that these perspectives and viewpoints come from the experiences and perspectives of others.


I get the story
The singer suggests that he values the experiences and perspectives of others in shaping his own understanding and mission.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Peter Townshend

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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