For What It's Worth
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 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
Sergio Mendes & Brasil66's song "For What It's Worth" is a song that was originally written and performed by the Buffalo Springfield in 1966. The song has since been covered by many artists, including Mendes and his group. The song is often viewed as a protest song, and it speaks to the political and social unrest of the time in which it was written.
The opening lines of the song, "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", set the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the social and political upheaval of the 1960s. The line "Young people speaking their minds, getting so much resistance from behind" speaks to the youth-led movements for civil rights, peace, and social justice. The song is a call to action, urging listeners to pay attention to what is happening around them and to stand up for what they believe in.
The chorus of the song, "It's time we stop, children, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down", encourages people to take stock of the events unfolding around them and to stop and pay attention to what is happening. The phrase "what's that sound" is repeated several times throughout the song, suggesting that something is happening that demands attention but is not necessarily easily identifiable.
Overall, "For What It's Worth" is a powerful song that speaks to the political and social upheaval of the 1960s. It encourages listeners to pay attention to what is happening around them and to stand up for what they believe in. The song continues to resonate with listeners today, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and engaged in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
Something is going on, but it's not clear what it is
What it is ain't exactly clear
Whatever is happening is unclear
There's a man with a gun over there
There is someone nearby wielding a firearm
Telling me I got to beware
He warns me to be cautious
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
It's a good idea to pause and take notice of this noise, kids
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone, take a look at what is happening
There's battle lines being drawn
Opposing sides are taking shape
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
If everyone is wrong, then no one is right
Young people speaking their minds
The youth are expressing their opinions
Getting so much resistance from behind
But they are facing a lot of opposition from others
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Let's stop again and figure out what that noise is
What a field-day for the heat
The authorities are happy to have such a large protest to deal with
A thousand people in the street
There are many people gathered together
Singing songs and carrying signs
They are singing and holding up signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
The signs are in support of their own team
Paranoia strikes deep
Fear and distrust run deep
Into your life it will creep
It can easily become a part of your daily life
It starts when you're always afraid
Paranoia begins when you are always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
If you disobey, the authorities can remove you
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
We should really stop and figure out what that noise is
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Stop and identify the source of the noise
Stop, now, what's that sound
Stop immediately and determine what the sound is
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should take a look at what is happening
Stop, children, what's that sound
Kids, we need to pause and figure out what that noise is
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN STILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind