About the song
Buffalo Springfield – “For What It’s Worth”
A Defining Protest Anthem of the 1960s
Released in 1967, “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield is one of the most iconic protest songs in American music history. Despite often being misinterpreted as a song about the Vietnam War, its origins lie in a very specific local event in Los Angeles. Still, its haunting tone, poignant lyrics, and timeless message have allowed it to become a broader symbol of civil unrest, political awakening, and youthful resistance during one of the most turbulent eras in American history.
Background and Origins
The song was written by Stephen Stills, one of the founding members of Buffalo Springfield, in late 1966. Contrary to popular belief, “For What It’s Worth” was not directly inspired by anti-war demonstrations. Instead, it was a reaction to the Sunset Strip curfew riots in Hollywood, California.
During that time, tensions were rising between young people and the authorities in Los Angeles. The city had enacted a strict 10:00 PM curfew on the Strip, which affected young people who gathered at music venues and clubs. One of the most popular spots, Pandora’s Box, became the flashpoint. When officials threatened to close it and began enforcing the curfew heavily, young people staged protests. The conflict escalated, with hundreds of demonstrators confronting police in a series of clashes that became known as the Sunset Strip Riots in November 1966.
Stephen Stills was disturbed by the heavy-handed police response and the broader implications of such crackdowns on youth culture and freedom of assembly. Within weeks, he channeled that energy into songwriting, and “For What It’s Worth” was born. The band recorded and released the song quickly, and it became an instant hit.
Musical Style and Structure
Musically, the song is built on a slow, haunting groove with a signature guitar riff that has become one of the most recognizable in rock music. Stills’ guitar line—spare, echoing, and slightly bluesy—sets a reflective and somber tone. The arrangement is minimal but effective: a steady drumbeat, gentle bass line, and atmospheric harmonics underscore the song’s pensive lyrics.
Neil Young, also a member of Buffalo Springfield at the time, contributes to the atmospheric mood with his distinctive guitar playing, although it was Stills who played lead guitar on this track. Richie Furay and the rest of the band provide backing harmonies that help intensify the sense of unease and contemplation.
Lyrics and Interpretation
“For What It’s Worth” begins with the chilling line:
“There’s something happening here / What it is ain’t exactly clear.”
This ambiguity is a strength, not a flaw. The song never explicitly references a specific protest or event, making it broadly applicable to any moment of social or political unrest. That universality has allowed the song to resonate with listeners in many different contexts.
Other lines such as:
“Paranoia strikes deep / Into your life it will creep / It starts when you’re always afraid…”
speak to a society on edge, where fear and misunderstanding are breeding grounds for conflict. The famous chorus,
“Stop, hey, what’s that sound? / Everybody look what’s going down,”
has become a rallying cry for generations of protesters, urging people to pay attention to injustice and speak out.
Cultural and Political Impact
Despite its localized origins, “For What It’s Worth” quickly became a national anthem of dissent, particularly during the height of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and other major societal shifts of the 1960s and early 1970s. Its vague but urgent tone made it ideal for soundtracking televised footage of marches, police brutality, and war protests.
Over time, the song has been used in countless films, documentaries, and political contexts—from “Forrest Gump” to contemporary protest montages—cementing its place in the American cultural lexicon.
Legacy
“For What It’s Worth” has endured not only because of its distinctive sound but because of its ever-relevant message. It has been covered and referenced by numerous artists, including Public Enemy, Rush, and Sheryl Crow, and remains a staple on classic rock radio and in protest playlists.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and in 2021 it was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
Conclusion
Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” is more than just a protest song—it is a timeless reflection on social awareness, civic responsibility, and the power of youth voices in the face of authority. Written in response to a seemingly small local event, the song transcended its origins to become a universal anthem of alertness and action. Even decades after its release, the call to “stop, hey, what’s that sound” still resonates whenever people gather to confront injustice and demand change.