The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era: Songs That Changed the World--"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield

One of the epic moments in history took place when Stephen Stills sat down and wrote this song.  Prior to the 1960's, artists didn't know how to express their thoughts in such a powerful way; in fact, most artists didn't even write their own songs.  That all changed with Buddy Holly and music would never be the same.  Stills' lyrics cut to the bone to one of history's greatest dilemma's and one of mankind's greatest failures.

"For What It's Worth"

by Buffalo Springfield

Written by Stephen Stills

There's something happening here
But 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 saying, "hooray for our side"

It'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
Step out of line, the men come and take you away

We better stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

We better stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

We better stop
Now, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?

We better stop
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?