Buffalo Springfield: For What It’s Worth (1967)

For What It’s Worth is a 1967 single, written by Stephen Stills and released by US-Canadian band Buffalo Springfield. According to Stills it was motivated not by the Vietnam War but by a comparatively minor event (rioting in California). Nevertheless For What It’s Worth was picked up by young people and political movements across the United States. Stills’ lyrics call for questioning and contemplation while making implied criticisms of state power. Unlike other protest songs, it has a gentle and conciliatory tone that appealed to anti-war, civil rights and counterculture groups alike. For What It’s Worth reached number seven on the US singles chart and remains one of the best-known protest songs of the 1960s.

There’s something happening here
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
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say ‘hooray for our side’

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
You step out of line, the man come and take you away

We better
Stop, hey, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down
Stop, hey, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down
Stop, now, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down
Stop, children, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down

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