Nobody right if everybody’s wrong.
Buffalo Springfield was ultimately a one-hit wonder, but “For What it’s Worth” has had an enormous meaning on rock. This was the first success for Stephen Stills and Neil Young—who would of course go on to create CSNY. The opening riff to “For What it’s Worth” is so iconic that I think it transcends even their two careers…if that is possible. (Bassist Jim Messina would later create Poco).
Every movie that involves the 60s or the Vietnam War or the civil rights movement is not complete without this song in the soundtrack. It is simply not done.
The lyrics of “For What it’s Worth” are not as protest-y as its reputation. The message is “we should take a second and think about things”. Radical! The guitar refrain is obviously what will be noticed, but the rest of the guitar work sounds great too. It is actually a welcome change from the familiar riff. It shows off Neil Young’s guitar skills in a way that we don’t see in his solo work or CSNY.
Buffalo Springfield
For What It’s Worth Lyrics
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.
Songwriters: Stephen Stills