Vincent was born in Chicago. Her mother is of Swedish and French background; her father, Italian. She was raised in Lake Tahoe and then southern California, where she attended high school. She ran away from home in 1972, but later returned to Los Angeles and completed schooling. At age 18, she moved to London, where she lived with Chris Wood of the band Traffic and his wife. She spent time with many of their musician friends, including Steve Winwood and Keith Richards.
Her "Holly and the Italians" record is one of Ira Robbins/Trouser Press record guide's top albums of all-time.
She had a brief stint with The Waitresses as a replacement for lead singer Patty Donahue.
In the early 1990s, she formed a band called The Oblivious and recorded for fan Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls. She then released an album called Vowel Movement with Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde.
She dated Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. After she broke up with him, he wrote their hit single "Romeo and Juliet".
Her most recent record is "Super Rocket Star", released in 2007.
She lives in Los Angeles.
Her brother is drummer Nick Vincent.
For What It's Worth
Holly Beth Vincent 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
I think 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
The song "For What It's Worth" by Holly Beth Vincent is a powerful commentary on the political and social climate of the 1960s. The lyrics point to the tension and uncertainty that existed during that time, represented by the man with a gun who is telling the singer to beware. The lyrics suggest that there is something happening that is not yet clear, but that young people are speaking out and encountering resistance.
The repeated refrain of "stop, hey, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down" is a call to action, urging people to pay attention to what is going on around them and to take a stand. The song cautions against paranoia and fear, suggesting that these can be used as tools of control by those in power.
The final repetition of "stop, children, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down" adds another layer to the song's message. By addressing "children," the lyrics speak to the idea that young people have the power to effect change and to shape the future, but only if they are willing to take action.
Overall, "For What It's Worth" is a powerful and timeless message, urging listeners to be aware of what is happening in the world and to take a stand for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
There is a situation or event occurring that demands attention
What it is ain't exactly clear
The nature, reason or objective of this situation or event is nebulous
There's a man with a gun over there
The presence of an armed individual is observed
Telling me I got to beware
The armed individual issues a warning or threat to those in the vicinity
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
It is suggested that the activity at hand be ceased, with an inquiry being made about a sound that has been noticed
Everybody look what's going down
All present parties are urged to take notice of the ongoing events
There's battle lines being drawn
Groups are taking opposing stances with regards to the situation or event
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
It is pointed out that the situation or event does not have a clear right or wrong side
Young people speaking their minds
A group of young individuals are expressing their thoughts or opinions
Getting so much resistance from behind
The aforementioned group is encountering significant opposition or criticism
What a field-day for the heat
The armed individuals mentioned earlier are having a successful and enjoyable time
A thousand people in the street
A large group of people are gathered in a public space
Singing songs and carrying signs
The group is engaging in activities such as singing and holding placards
Mostly say, hooray for our side
The messages on the signs are largely geared towards supporting one particular group or side
Paranoia strikes deep
An unsettling feeling of fear and suspicion is setting in
Into your life it will creep
This feeling is pervading and affecting one's whole existence
It starts when you're always afraid
The feeling mentioned earlier begins when one is persistently afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
Any action that deviates from the norm is punished, often harshly
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
It is emphasized again that the ongoing activities be halted, with continued curiosity about the sound that was heard
Stop, hey, what's that sound
The call to stop and inquire about the sound is repeated
Stop, now, what's that sound
The message is reiterated with a slight variation
Everybody look what's going down
Final call for all present parties to pay attention to the situation or event
Stop, children, what's that sound
An appeal is made directly to the young people present
Everybody look what's going down
Final reminder for everyone to observe what is happening
Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Verutschkow
Never understood the true meaning of the expression "Paranoia strikes Deepinto your Life it will creep"until I Heard this absolutely brilliant version of this song ...
Brian Kennedy
Holly Vincent, the inspiration behind one of the great songs, Romeo and Juliet. Dire Straits..
Johann Pieler
searched for this, so that I don´t have to write it ;-)
Tony Stroppa
Interesting take. Good video, not sure about the song. Definitely more innovative and musically experimental than the original. Not just a straight cover but obviously trying to say something. While the Buffalo Springfield original was stripped down and had kind of a slower folky pace and rhythm and painted a picture of dissent and protest during the Viet Nam war. This is much more heavily layered and produced, sped-up and full of paranoia about the surveillance state. Again I'm not sure if the faster pace entirely works (it makes the lyrics hard to understand) but I can see why this version has it's admirers.
Tony Stroppa
@F ox I'll agree it doesn't suck! I'll even go so far as to say it's a really, really good cover that tries to do something different and relevant.
F ox
UNlike Most covers
it isn't karaoke.
and even better: it's Far superior.
dave lawnscape
great version bad mtv video Holly so much deserves accolades from rockers feminists lbgtq all humans who love art & music
CT Ryan
Stephen Stills must cringe every time he hears this....
F ox
@equin0xia he isn't.
Tony Stroppa
I don't think I really like this version at least on first blush, but it's definitely not cringe-worthy. It's not objectively bad (in the sense of how well-performed and produced it is). It's just different and I can see why people like it. Maybe it'll grow on me if I listened to it more but it's not a cash grab, you can tell she had something to say and swung for the fences. Stills did not get smoked, and I think he would appreciate this modern take on his classic (or at least appreciate the attempt).