"Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" Quotes

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Source: "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2"

Speaker: Pink Floyd

"Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone."

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher, leave them kids alone
Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!

Context

This line was sung by Pink Floyd in the song "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2," written by Roger Waters, from the album The Wall (1979).

With its double negatives and choir of disaffected youth, "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" is the perfect anthem for anyone who has gotten tired or burnt out by the educational system. Honestly, who wants to use proper grammar 24/7? Because of its catchy beat and the distinctly British choir that sings the verses, it has become one of Pink Floyd's most popular songs and been covered by an array of artists, from Korn to Alice Cooper.

But these lyrics haven't just been used by lazy kids who want to stay at home playing video games instead of learning trigonometry, organic chemistry, or something equally distasteful—they were used by students in the '80s who opposed apartheid in South Africa by boycotting school. The song was actually banned in the country.

Who said rock music couldn't change the world?

Where you've heard it

This is one of the most popular songs ever written, so you've probably heard it when a teacher has given you too much homework, on the last day before summer, or on classic rock radio while you're driving down the highway.

Additional Notable References: 

  • This lyric is the title of an interesting Time magazine article about South Korea cracking down on after-hours tutoring facilities, or "cram schools." No more all-nighters for you!
  • Hey! Nietzsche! Leave Them Kids Alone! is the title of a fun book connecting rock bands and artists, like the Cure, My Chemical Romance, and David Bowie, to Romantic literary and philosophical moments. Gerard Way, Queen, John Keats, and William Wordsworth all under one cover? Our nerd senses are tingling.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Basically everyone has disliked school at one time or another, and humming this song is a great coping mechanism.