By early 1968, Buffalo Springfield had also disintegrated over personal issues, and after aiding in putting together the band’s final album, Stephen Stills found himself unemployed by the summer. He and Crosby began meeting informally and jamming, the results of one encounter in Florida on Crosby’s schooner being the song “Wooden Ships,” composed in collaboration with another guest, Paul Kantner.[2]
Graham Nash had been introduced to Crosby when the Byrds had toured the UK in 1966, and when the Hollies ventured to California in 1968, Nash resumed his acquaintance with Crosby.[3] At a party in July 1968 at Cass Elliot's house, Nash asked Stills and Crosby to repeat their performance of a new song by Stills, “You Don't Have To Cry,” with Nash improvising a second harmony part.[4] The vocals gelled, and the three realized that they had a unique vocal chemistry.
For What It's Worth
Crosby Stills & Nash 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'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.
The song, For What It's Worth by Crosby Stills & Nash, was released in 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War and civil unrest in the United States. The song's opening line, "there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear," is a powerful statement about the uncertainty and confusion that many people were feeling during this tumultuous time. The line sets the tone for the entire song, which is a commentary on the anti-war movement and the struggle for civil rights.
The second line of the song, "there's a man with a gun over there, telling me I've got to beware," is a direct reference to the police brutality and violence that was often used against peaceful protesters during this time. The chorus, "stop, hey, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down," is a call to attention, urging people to pay attention to what is happening around them and take action.
The third 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 a warning about the dangers of speaking out and taking action against the injustices of the world. It is also a reflection of the fear that many people felt during this time, knowing that their lives could be at risk if they became too involved in the struggle for change.
Overall, For What It's Worth is a powerful and timeless song that speaks to the struggles of a generation and the need for social change. It remains just as relevant today as it did when it was first released over 50 years ago.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
Something is going on, but we're not sure what it is yet.
What it is ain't exactly clear
We don't have a clear understanding of what's happening.
There's a man with a gun over there
There's a guy carrying a firearm in the vicinity.
Telling me I've got to beware
He's warning me that I need to be careful.
Think it's time we stop
It's about time we put a stop to whatever is happening.
Hey! What's that sound?
I hear something - what is it?
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should pay attention to what's happening around us.
There's battle lines being drawn
People are taking sides and getting ready to fight each other.
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
No one is truly right if everyone is blindly following their own opinions.
People speaking their minds
Individuals are expressing their opinions and beliefs.
Getting so much resistance from behind
They're facing a lot of obstacles and pushback from others who disagree with them.
Singing songs and carrying signs
Protestors are singing and holding up signs as a means of expressing themselves.
Paranoia strikes deep
An intense feeling of fear and anxiety is creeping in.
Into your life it will creep
These feelings will slowly infiltrate your everyday life.
It starts when you're always afraid
Paranoia takes hold when you're constantly living in fear.
Step out of line, the men come and shoot you down
If you go against the status quo or authority, you're risking your life.
Hey, what's that sound?
I still hear something - what is it?
Look what's going down
Let's take a closer look and observe the situation more closely.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind