For What It's Worth
Bowersox Crystal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me that 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
Young people should be speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
We gotta stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Whats going down, down, down, 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
I think its time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down yeah
Mm oh
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will surely creep
Well it starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line,
The man come and take you away
We gotta stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Now stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Now stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Now stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Yeah
What's going down, down, down
Hm, what's going down
I think its time we stop
Crystal Bowersox's song "For What It's Worth" is a poignant expression of the disillusionment and frustration that many people in America began to feel during the 1960s. The first verse opens with a sense of unease and tension, as the singer reports that "there's a man with a gun over there" who is warning her to "beware." It's not clear exactly what is happening, but there is an undercurrent of violence and danger that pervades the scene. The singer recognizes that something is going down, and she urges everyone to pay attention and "look what's going down."
The second verse introduces the theme of generational conflict, as the singer notes that "young people should be speaking their minds" but are facing "so much resistance from behind." There are "battle lines" being drawn, and nobody seems to be able to agree on anything. The chorus repeats the message that it's time to stop and pay attention to what's happening. The third verse makes a more explicit critique of the establishment and the authorities that are suppressing dissent. The paranoia and fear that are present in American society are described as something that "creeps" into people's lives and causes them to be afraid to speak out or challenge the status quo. Again, the chorus calls for people to stop and pay attention to what's going down.
Overall, "For What It's Worth" is a powerful anthem of resistance that speaks to the political and cultural turmoil of the 1960s. It's a reminder that people have the power to speak out and make change happen, even in the face of daunting odds and entrenched power structures.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
Something significant is currently taking place
What it is ain't exactly clear
Although something is happening, it is unclear and ambiguous what it actually is
There's a man with a gun over there
There is a person holding a weapon in that direction
Telling me that I got to beware
Warning me that I need to be cautious
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
It would be appropriate for us to pause and ponder the noise we're hearing
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should take notice of what is transpiring around us
There's battle lines being drawn
Conflict is brewing
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
If everyone is incorrect in their beliefs, then no one is correct
Young people should be speaking their minds
The younger generation ought to express their opinions and ideas
Getting so much resistance from behind
Encountering a great deal of opposition from those who are against them
We gotta stop, children, what's that sound
We must take action to halt the situation unfolding
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone must pay attention to what is going on
What a field-day for the heat
This is an ideal situation for the authorities to intervene and take control
A thousand people in the street
A large group of individuals gathered in the public space
Singing songs and carrying signs
Expressing themselves through music and placards
Mostly say, hooray for our side
Majority of them shouting in support of their own beliefs
I think its time we stop, children, what's that sound
It is necessary for us to interrupt and investigate the noise we hear
Everybody look what's going down yeah
Everyone must pay attention to what is taking place
Paranoia strikes deep
Deep anxiety and suspicion sets in
Into your life it will surely creep
It will gradually make its way into your life and become a part of it
Well it starts when you're always afraid
It all begins when one becomes fearful
You step out of line,
When you do something that is against the rules or laws
The man come and take you away
The authorities will take action and punish you according to the law
Now stop, children, what's that sound
It is imperative for us to immediately stop and pay attention to the sound
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone must focus on what is happening around them
Now stop, hey, what's that sound
It is time to temporarily halt and listen to the noise
What's going down, down, down
What is taking place right now
Hm, what's going down
What is happening at this very moment
I think its time we stop
It is high time we pause and evaluate the situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind