3 Eternal Classic Rock Songs About Teachers that Have Stood the Test of Time

Outside of our parents, teachers are the first real authority figures in our lives. It’s not the police, government officials or bosses. When we’re young, it’s the teachers that tell us what to do. And as a result, teachers make the perfect target to take aim at when it comes to classic rock songs that want to rage against authority.

Here below, we wanted to explore three classic rock songs that highlight teachers. A trio of tunes that discuss the at-times complicated relationship between student and the lesson giver. Indeed, these are three eternal classic rock songs about teachers.

[RELATED: 3 Eternal Rock Songs About High School That Have Stood the Test of Time]

“Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two” by Pink Floyd from The Wall (1979)

The opening of this song says it all:

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

The song is a protest against mind manipulation from uncaring teachers. Of course, all young people need to learn. But the question is how? And who is doing the teaching? This song from the iconic British-born band Pink Floyd wants people to think twice about who is “educating” our youth. Do they mean well? Do they attempt to foster unique thinking? Or is it just about mind control?

“Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by The Police from Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)

This song deals with a particularly touchy subject. Whereas some cartoonish rock songs like “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen talk about the attraction that can manifest between students and teachers in an over-the-top way, this track deals with that dynamic in a much more serious manner. On the song, the band’s lead singer Sting offers,

Young teacher, the subject
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be

Inside him, there’s longing
This girl’s an open page
Book marking, she’s so close now
This girl is half his age

“The Headmaster Ritual” by The Smiths from Meat Is Murder (1985)

Another song here that critiques the (British) education system, this track from The Smiths’ 1985 LP Meat Is Murder takes aim at corporal punishment, or the act of physical violence some teachers used to apply to their students as discipline. Juxtaposing a serious topic with jangly guitars, the band’s lead vocalist Morrissey sings,

Belligerent ghouls
Run Manchester schools
Spineless swines
Cemented minds

Sir leads the troops
Jealous of youth
Same old suit since 1962
He does the military two-step
Down the nape of my neck

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