For What It's Worth
Bill Evans/Sheryl Crow/Willie Nelson Lyrics
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What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me
I've got to beware
[Chorus]
Think it's time we
What's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right, if everybody's wrong
People speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance
From behind
[Chorus]
Singing songs and carrying signs
Getting so much resistance
From behind
[Chorus]
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line
The Men come and shoot you down
[Chorus]
Hey! What's that sound
Look what's going down.
"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield, initially released in 1967, is considered an anthem of the counterculture movement, and Bill Evans, Sheryl Crow, and Willie Nelson performed a cover of the song. The song is known for its cryptic lyrics, which leave a lot of room for interpretation. It addresses the civil unrest and growing social awareness of the era through the eyes of a young person who is worried about the chaos that is unfolding on the streets.
The opening lines "There's something happening here/ What it is ain't exactly clear" suggest the confusion and uncertainty in the air. The next line, "There's a man with a gun over there / Telling me I've got to beware," is an indication of the increased police presence on the streets, which sparked fear among the young people. The chorus "Think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound/ Everybody look what's going down" is a call to action for everyone to come together and stop the violence and chaos.
The verse "Paranoia strikes deep/ Into your life it will creep/ It starts when you're always afraid/ Step out of line/ The Men come and shoot you down" is an observation of how fear and paranoia have taken hold of society, with people becoming more fearful of the authorities who were meant to protect them than the actual threats in their communities.
Overall, the song calls for everyone to come together, put aside their differences and stop the violence and chaos that was unfolding on the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
Something unusual and unknown is occurring
What it is ain't exactly clear
The situation is not easy to understand at this time
There's a man with a gun over there
A man is present and holding a firearm
Telling me I've got to beware
The man with the gun is warning me to be cautious
Think it's time we stop!
It is necessary to pause and consider the situation
Hey, what's that sound?
There is an audible disturbance that demands attention
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should pay attention and observe the events
There's battle lines being drawn
Groups are taking sides and preparing for conflict
Nobody's right, if everybody's wrong
No one is correct when everyone is misguided
People speaking their minds
Individuals are expressing their personal opinions
Getting so much resistance
Encountering significant opposition and pushback
From behind
The opposition is coming from unexpected sources
Singing songs and carrying signs
Protestors are communicating their message through music and banners
Getting so much resistance
Encountering significant opposition and pushback
From behind
The opposition is coming from unexpected sources
Paranoia strikes deep
Fear and anxiety becomes embedded in the psyche
Into your life it will creep
This fear can infiltrate and affect all aspects of an individual's life
It starts when you're always afraid
The fear begins to take hold when one is constantly fearful
Step out of line
Going against the norm or challenging the established routine
The Men come and shoot you down
The authority figures respond with forceful, violent action
Hey! What's that sound
There is an audible disturbance that demands attention
Look what's going down
Observe and take note of the current event
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CashPresley32
You say that this song is featuring Willie Nelson? I don't hear Willie. Great song though.
TULLIO GUALTIERI
@CashPresley32 blank it is written in the CD, excuses for my English but I have translate with a soft!Ciao!