For What It's Worth
The Frank & Todd Show Lyrics
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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
The Frank & Todd Show's song "For What It's Worth" is a powerful protest song that reflects the social and political turmoil of the 1960s. The song's opening line, "There's something happening here, What it is ain't exactly clear," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The song deals with the issue of societal unrest and encourages people to take action against the injustice that exists in the world.
The second line of the song, "There's a man with a gun over there, Telling me I got to beware," refers to the chaos and violence that was prevalent during the 1960s. The song goes on to criticize the growing rift between different groups of people and the lack of understanding and acceptance that existed between them. The line "Nobody's right if everybody's wrong" highlights this division and suggests the need for collective action to bring about change.
The song's chorus, which repeats the line "Everybody look what's going down," is a call to action for people to pay close attention to the world around them and to take a stand against oppression and injustice. The song's final verse touches on the idea of paranoia and the fear that exists in society. The line "You step out of line, the man come and take you away" highlights the potential consequences of speaking out against the status quo.
Overall, "For What It's Worth" is a powerful anthem that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its lyrics emphasize the need for unity and social justice and serve as a reminder that it is up to people to fight against the forces of oppression and make a difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
There seems to be a significant event occurring
What it is ain't exactly clear
Although something is happening, it's not completely understood
There's a man with a gun over there
There's a person with a weapon present nearby
Telling me I got to beware
The individual with the weapon verbally cautioned me to be cautious
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
I suspect that we should halt our activities, my friends, due to the sound we're hearing
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should perceive the events taking place
There's battle lines being drawn
Groups are segregating and taking sides
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
If no one can come to a consensus, then no one is truly correct
Young people speaking their minds
The youth are expressing their opinions freely
Getting so much resistance from behind
They are receiving pushback from those who don't agree with them
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
It's now the moment to take action and understand what is happening
What a field-day for the heat
The authorities must be excited at their opportunities right now
A thousand people in the street
A large crowd of people is populating the roadways
Singing songs and carrying signs
They are utilizing songs and placards to express themselves
Mostly say, hooray for our side
Their messages usually celebrate their team's victories
Paranoia strikes deep
A strong sense of distrust or fear is affecting their mentality
Into your life, it will creep
This sense of unease will gradually become part of one's psyche
It starts when you're always afraid
The fear usually commences when one is in a perpetual state of concern
You step out of line, the man comes and takes you away
When one goes beyond the confines that are established, authorities apprehend them
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
It would be best to take a hiatus and understand the noise we're hearing
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Cease the current activities and pay attention to the commotion
Stop, now, what's that sound
Bring everything to a halt and tune in to the sound
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe the situation and make sense of what's happening
Stop, children, what's that sound
Kids, stop what you're doing and listen to the sound
Everybody look what's going down
All of you should see the situation unfolding
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind