About the song
**Buffalo Springfield’s** “For What It’s Worth” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone, a rallying cry that has resonated across generations. Released in 1967, amidst the turbulent backdrop of the counterculture movement and the Vietnam War, this track captured the spirit of a nation grappling with social unrest and questioning the status quo.
The song’s iconic opening riff, a simple yet powerful guitar chord progression, immediately sets the tone for a piece that is both introspective and defiant. Stephen Stills, one of the band’s founding members, penned the lyrics, drawing inspiration from the 1967 Sunset Strip riots in Los Angeles. The song’s message is universal, however, speaking to anyone who has felt marginalized, misunderstood, or frustrated by the injustices of society.
“For What It’s Worth” is a song about disillusionment and a longing for change. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world in chaos, where “there’s a battle going on outside” and “people start to sing it just to pass the time.” The song’s refrain, “Stop, hey what’s that sound? / Everybody look what’s going down,” serves as a call to action, urging listeners to pay attention to the world around them and to stand up for what they believe in.
The song’s popularity was fueled by its raw energy and its ability to connect with the emotions of a generation. It became a defining anthem of the counterculture movement, a symbol of resistance against authority and a testament to the power of music to inspire and unite. Today, “For What It’s Worth” remains a timeless classic, its message as relevant as ever in a world still grappling with social and political issues.
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Lyrics
There’s something happening here
But what it is ain’t exactly clear
There’s a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it’s time we stop
Children, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
There’s battle lines being drawn
Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
It’s time we stop
Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
What a field day for the heat (Ooh ooh ooh)
A thousand people in the street (Ooh ooh ooh)
Singing songs and they carrying signs (Ooh ooh ooh)
Mostly say, “Hooray for our side” (Ooh ooh ooh)
It’s time we stop
Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away
We better stop
Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
You better stop
Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
You better stop
Now, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
You better stop
Children, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?