They are best remembered for their songs 'Cashing In' and 'Wanted Dead or Alive' from their 1973 album 'The Voices Of East Harlem'.
For What It's Worth
The Voices of East Harlem 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
The Voices of East Harlem's song "For What It's Worth" is a powerful commentary on the political and social climate of the 1960s. The lyrics describe a scene of social upheaval and political tension, with a man with a gun warning the singer to "beware." The chorus, "it's time we stop, children, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down," serves as a call to action for the listener to pay attention to what's happening in their world.
The verse "nobody's right if everybody's wrong" speaks to the notion that everyone is culpable in some way for the issues of the day, and that it will take a collective effort to resolve them. The song also mentions the power of protest, with "a thousand people in the street, singing songs and carrying signs, mostly saying hooray for our side." The lyrics paint a picture of a society on the verge of conflict, with "paranoia" creeping into people's lives and causing fear and mistrust.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
There is an event occurring here
What it is ain't exactly clear
It's not explicitly evident what the event is
There's a man with a gun over there
There is an individual in possession of a firearm over there
Telling me I got to beware
He's warning me to be cautious
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
I think we should stop and listen to the noise, kids
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone observe the event occurring
There's battle lines being drawn
Opposing groups are forming
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Nobody is correct if everyone is incorrect
Young people speaking their minds
Youth are expressing their opinions
Getting so much resistance from behind
They are encountering significant opposition from those in power
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
It's time to take pause and listen to the commotion
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone observe the situation unfolding
What a field-day for the heat
This is a prime opportunity for law enforcement to take action
A thousand people in the street
There are a thousand individuals in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
They are singing and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
The signs mostly express support for their viewpoint
It's s time we stop, hey, what's that sound
It's time to listen to the commotion
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone observe what is occurring
Paranoia strikes deep
Fearful thoughts run deep
Into your life it will creep
It will slowly infiltrate your life
It starts when you're always afraid
It starts when you are always fearful
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
If you do not conform to the expected conduct, the authorities will apprehend you
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
We must halt and listen to the noise
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone observe what is happening
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Stop and listen to the sound
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone observe what is occurring
Stop, now, what's that sound
Stop immediately and listen to the noise
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone observe what is unfolding
Stop, children, what's that sound
Kids, halt and perceive the sound
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone observe the event occurring
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
That 70's Girl
I Love it... They were highly motivated!
I wonder where they are today?
Thank you for sharing! 💖
That 70's Girl
@John Solomon I think that some of the younger ones could be still alive for sure. I wonder where their journey took them after this show. 🤔 I was just on Google to translate what the gentleman on the post said. I believe he was trying to say the same you were. Thank you for sharing! 💖
John Solomon
Actually some of them could be alive.
The show was 1969 so that was about 52/53 years ago and they range from 12 to 21.
So the youngest one could be 64, 65 and the oldest one 73 or 74. Now the older ladies more than likely passed but I would think a lot of them are still here with us.
Marcio Fernando
53 anos atrás ou estão com mais de 80 ou já morreram
Kevin Goins
This excellent group went on to make some fantastic albums for Elektra Records and the Just Sunshine label. Very valuable and worth every penny.
Maria Jose Rodríguez González
👏👏👏👏😙
roughtake
leader Bernice Cole died in 2006 at the age of 85 FANTASTIC performance!
That 70's Girl
Thank you for sharing! 💖
Someone just commented on my post about that!
Game Czar
Now THIS was a heck of a performance!
tj921able
Thank you for sharing this. I love the way they are dressed! This is something I relate to because I love Gospel music. They have got absolutely beautiful voices and harmony!