About the song
Introduction to “For What It’s Worth”
Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” is a timeless anthem that emerged from the turbulent social climate of the late 1960s. Composed by Stephen Stills and released in 1966, the song’s evocative lyrics and understated melody have resonated with generations of listeners.
While often associated with the anti-war movement, the song’s origins lie closer to home. Inspired by the Sunset Strip riots in Los Angeles, a series of clashes between police and young people, Stills captured the spirit of a generation grappling with societal unrest and questioning authority. The song’s title, added after the lyrics were written, serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, the search for meaning and understanding persists.
“For What It’s Worth” is more than just a protest song; it’s a snapshot of a cultural moment. The song’s understated arrangement, featuring Neil Young’s distinctive guitar harmonics and Stills’ contemplative vocals, creates a sense of intimacy that belies its larger themes. The iconic opening lines, “There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear,” encapsulate the pervasive feeling of unease and confusion that characterized the era.
The song’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its ability to transcend its original context. While it may have been born out of specific historical events, its themes of questioning authority, seeking truth, and finding one’s place in the world remain as relevant today as they were in the 1960s. “For What It’s Worth” is a testament to the power of music to capture the zeitgeist and inspire generations to come.
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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?