For What It's Worth
Brasil '66; Sergio Mendes 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 I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
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 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
"For What It's Worth" by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 is a cover of the classic song by Buffalo Springfield. The song speaks to the political and social unrest of the 1960s and the tension that was building between the government and the younger generation. It begins with the line, "There's something happening here, What it is ain't exactly clear," which speaks to the idea that people were aware that something was changing, but didn't quite understand what it was. The next lines, "There's a man with a gun over there, Telling me I got to beware," speak to the feeling of danger and unease that was pervading American society at the time.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need to pay attention to what is happening: "I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound, Everybody look what's going down." This reflects the idea that change was afoot and that people needed to be aware and involved to help shape it. The song goes on to highlight the struggle of young people who were speaking out against the status quo, but facing resistance from other parts of society.
The final verses of the song touch on the idea of paranoia and the fear that the government would take action against those who were speaking out. The repeated refrain of "We better stop, hey, what's that sound, Everybody look what's going down," speaks to the urgency of the situation and the need for people to take action before it is too late.
Overall, "For What It's Worth" is a powerful commentary on the political and social climate of the 1960s, but its message still resonates today. It encourages listeners to be aware of their surroundings and not to be afraid to speak out against injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
Something is occurring in the current situation
What it is ain't exactly clear
The situation is unclear
There's a man with a gun over there
A man is present with a weapon
Telling me I got to beware
The man is warning me of possible danger
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
I believe it's appropriate to pause and listen, children, do you hear that noise?
Everybody look what's going down
We should all observe what is happening
There's battle lines being drawn
Teams are being formed on opposing sides
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
No one can be considered correct if everyone is incorrect
Young people speaking their minds
Youth are voicing their opinions
Getting so much resistance from behind
They are encountering significant opposition from behind
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
It's time to halt and pay attention, hey, do you hear that noise?
What a field-day for the heat
The authorities are having quite an eventful day
A thousand people in the street
A thousand individuals are out in the open
Singing songs and carrying signs
They are singing and carrying placards
Mostly say, hooray for our side
Their signs mostly express support for their team
Paranoia strikes deep
A distrust of others spreads widely
Into your life it will creep
It will infiltrate every aspect of your existence
It starts when you're always afraid
It commences when you are consistently frightened
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
If you deviate from protocol, the authorities will arrest you
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
We should pause, hey, do you hear that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe the current situation
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Halt, hey, do you hear that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe the current situation
Stop, now, what's that sound
Halt right now, do you hear that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe the current situation
Stop, children, what's that sound
Halt, children, do you hear that sound?
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe the current situation
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mlewsimpson51
Great cover!!
@howardgreenman2908
Excellent reinterpretation of this old classic. Thank you Mr. Mendes.
@saraandyrobles7261
Something must be wrong, I am liking “covers”. And, Mr. Mendes and his entourage do this oldie very well. The female vocal is very groovy, indeed.
@grahambarnes7325
I love the song, and i love the version too
@lauraduncan7690
So beautiful
@georgefranklin5686
Damn fine interpretation of the original
@cordaje
Wow!... Wonderful...❤️
@Scott-ri2sy
I never knew this version
@pablotorres7436
1970 'FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH" CON SERGIO MENDES & BRAZIL 66': El cover de una canción original de Buffalo Springfield (donde estuvieron Stpehen Stills y Neil Young), supuso para Sergio Mendes, un alejamiento de lo marcadamente acústico de sus primeros años. Era Pop de raíz Bossa/Samba/Jazz... Pero para este cover, y como dejando atrás la década del 60' y plantearse una mirada al futuro, se hizo 'eléctrico' el asunto con el piano... Es bien funky, algo que Mendes no había mostrado todavía. Y sicodeliiquísimo, tampoco había mostrado eso... Creo fue la misma Lani Hall la voz solista... Algunos la consideran como anticipo del Ácid Jazz... Puede ser ... ❤☮️✌️
@pablotorres7436
Es la letra como en forma de canción protesta, de que los jóvenes están no conformes con la situación... Y están ahí todavía medio escondidos...como murmullo pero pronto se harán oír fuerte!