For What It's Worth
Mendes Sergio Lyrics


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There's something happening here
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
There's battle lines being drawn
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

Overall Meaning

Mendes Sergio's song "For What It's Worth" is a classic protest song that was written during the Vietnam War era. The song talks about something happening in society that is not clear, a man with a gun telling people to beware, and the need to stop and listen to the sound that is going down.


The chorus of the song talks about the need to stop and listen to the sound and look around to understand what is happening. It's a call to action for everyone to take a moment and assess the situation at hand. The song also talks about the battle lines being drawn and the young people speaking their minds and getting resistance from behind.


The last verse of the song is the most poignant as it talks about how paranoia can strike deep and take over your life. The man in the song says that if you step out of line, you'll be taken away. The song is a reminder of the power of protest and the importance of fighting against injustice.


Overall, Mendes Sergio's song "For What It's Worth" is a timeless classic that continues to be relevant even today. It's a powerful message about the importance of standing up for what you believe in and fighting against injustice. It's a song that will continue to inspire people to take action against the issues that they face in their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

There's something happening here
There is an unusual event taking place


What it is ain't exactly clear
The event is unclear and puzzling


There's a man with a gun over there
There is an individual carrying a firearm


Telling me I got to beware
Warning me of potential danger or harm


I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
It's an appropriate time to pause and listen to a strange noise or commotion


Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe and pay attention to the event unfolding


There's battle lines being drawn
Lines are being drawn indicating conflict or division


Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
If everyone has a wrong opinion, then no one is right


Young people speaking their minds
Young individuals expressing their thoughts and opinions


Getting so much resistance from behind
Encountering opposition from others with differing beliefs


It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
It's time to halt and pay attention to a peculiar noise


What a field-day for the heat
Law enforcement or those in power have a great opportunity to act brutally


A thousand people in the street
Many people are demonstrating publicly


Singing songs and carrying signs
Using peaceful methods to express their opinions


Mostly say, hooray for our side
The majority are showing support for their beliefs


Paranoia strikes deep
Deep-rooted fear and anxiety is evident


Into your life it will creep
It seeps into one's life unnoticed


It starts when you're always afraid
It begins when one is always anxious


You step out of line, the man come and take you away
If you don't comply with the norm, the authorities might arrest you


We better stop, hey, what's that sound
We should cease our actions and identify a strange noise


Stop, hey, what's that sound
Cease activities and listen for an unusual noise


Stop, now, what's that sound
Halt everything and observe a distinctive commotion


Everybody look what's going down
All individuals should pay attention to the incident taking place


Stop, children, what's that sound
Children should stop and listen to a strange noise




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN STILLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@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!

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