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

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does 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."

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.