For What It's Worth
Yellowfly 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
For What It's Worth is a protest song originally recorded by the Buffalo Springfield in 1966, written by Stephen Stills. The song aims to shed light on the social unrest that was happening at the time. The opening line "there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear" suggests the uncertainties of the time, and how people were unsure of what was happening around them. The second line paints a picture of a man with a gun, warning the listener to beware, showing the tension and the fear that was prevalent in the society, especially during that era. The first verse ends with a call to action, asking children to pay attention and to respond.
The second verse describes the political landscape where battle lines are being drawn, but nobody is right if everybody is wrong. The song hints that both sides of the political argument were entrenched, and neither side was willing to compromise. Young people are speaking their minds, and they’re facing resistance indicating a generational divide, again reflecting the tensions of the time. The second verse also ends with a call to action, asking people to stop and pay attention.
The third verse paints a picture of what was happening on the streets. The heat (police presence) was present, and a thousand people were protesting, carrying signs and singing songs mostly congratulating their team (hooray for our side). It shows that the tension had spilled onto the streets and was no longer just in the political arena. The third verse ends with a call to action asking people to stop and look around.
The chorus emphasizes the paranoia that permeated society in those days, with the fear of being taken away if one stepped out of line. It emphasizes the need to look around and for everyone to pay attention to what was happening in their world.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
There are events unfolding before us
What it is ain't exactly clear
It's hard to understand what's happening
There's a man with a gun over there
Someone with a weapon is present
Telling me I got to beware
Warning me to be cautious
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
We should pause and pay attention to the noise
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe what's happening
There's battle lines being drawn
People are taking sides
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
If everyone's wrong, no one can be right
Young people speaking their minds
Youth are sharing their opinions
Getting so much resistance from behind
Encountering opposition from their elders
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
We must halt and listen to the commotion
What a field-day for the heat
Police must be enjoying this chaos
A thousand people in the street
Crowds have gathered
Singing songs and carrying signs
Using music and placards to express themselves
Mostly say, hooray for our side
Cheering for their own team
Paranoia strikes deep
Fear can severely impact a person
Into your life it will creep
It will gradually affect you
It starts when you're always afraid
The fear begins when you feel constantly scared
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
If you don't follow the rules, authorities will punish you
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
It's imperative that we listen to the noise
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should see what's happening
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Cease everything and listen to the commotion
Everybody look what's going down
All individuals need to view the event
Stop, now, what's that sound
Pause and identify the noise
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe the incident
Stop, children, what's that sound
Kids should pay attention to the sound
Everybody look what's going down
All individuals should view the occurrence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind