About the song
“For What It’s Worth,” a song by Buffalo Springfield, stands as a poignant and enduring anthem of protest and hope. Written by Stephen Stills in the wake of the Sunset Strip curfew riots of 1966, the song captures the spirit of a generation grappling with societal unrest and the erosion of civil liberties.
Though often associated with the anti-war movement, “For What It’s Worth” was originally inspired by the clashes between police and young people on the Sunset Strip. The riots, fueled by discontent over curfews and perceived restrictions on freedom, mirrored the broader social tensions of the era. Stills’ lyrics, with their evocative imagery and direct language, encapsulate the frustration, confusion, and yearning for change that characterized the time.
The song’s iconic opening line, “Stop, hey what’s that sound,” serves as a call to attention and a reminder of the unexpected disruptions that can shatter our sense of normalcy. The following verses delve deeper into the themes of disillusionment, questioning authority, and the search for meaning.
“For What It’s Worth” has transcended its original context to become a timeless symbol of resistance and hope. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its ability to resonate with audiences across generations, speaking to the universal human experiences of struggle, uncertainty, and the pursuit of a better world.
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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?