Stop, Hey, What’s That Sound?
If you had a pulse in 1967, you knew this song by Buffalo Springfield. It was written by Stephen Stills (yes, that Stephen Stills), one of the founders of the group, after he witnessed police actions against a crowd of young people gathered on Sunset Strip to stage an anti-war protest. The song was recorded in December 1966, and by March 1967, Buffalo Springfield had a Top Ten Hit. The group was together just over two years, but was an influential folk-rock group that served as a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Understanding that this is a protest song, enjoy Buffalo Springfield performing For What It’s Worth. The lyrics are below the video window in case you want to sing along…
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
I think 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 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
To remind those who lived it, and to reveal it to those too young to remember, here’s another rendition, creatively crafted into a collage tapestry of images of the day. This is what it was all about. This is what we did in the ’60s to protest another ill-advised war in a land far away, another war we could not and did not win. Where are the young people today? Why are there no protests in the streets? Roomie and I have talked about this on several occasions and we are in agreement — if there was a draft today, it would be the ’60s all over again. Protests. Rallys. One-way trips to Canada. A President and other high-ranking political and military officials with broken spirits. Maybe even free love and nickle beer… nah, not likely.
10 Comments so far
I’ll admit to remembering the 1960’s and the multitude of divisive issues of the day. The protests of that era were just about the only way to get media attention. Today, there are so many more tools (including blogs) that elevate issues to public visibility.
One could argue that we still have a subversive draft. Ask some of those National Guardsmen serving in the Middle East what they think of having their tours extended involuntarily.
I actually saw Buffalo Springfield perform this, and other songs, of course, at an appearance in Lubbock, Texas (or was it Amarillo?). I was just knocked out. As I recall, they were second-billed to (ready for this) The Seeds. (You’re pushin’ too hard/you’re pushin’ on me . . .).
“For What It’s Worth” has had zillions of spins over the years, but clearly wasn’t one of the group’s better songs. Memories, yes, good music? Hmmm. How about “Rock ‘N Roll Woman,”Bluebird,” and others? Anyway, these guys have provided me with a lot of musical pleasure over the years.
[...] Winston wrote a fantastic post today on “Stop, Hey, What’s That Sound?”Here’s ONLY a quick extractProtests. Rallys. One-way trips to Canada. A President and other high-ranking political and military officials with broken spirits. Maybe even free love and nickle beer… nah, not likely. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30W3iRL48gQ. [...]
Well you have definately hit my memory days with that song. I was a poor graduate student in Hawaii that had no money to go to concerts but I remember the music and the feelings. Thanks for stopping by my blog, also.
Sorry ‘definitely’
I didn’t realise it was a protest song. That’s a good line about paranoia. Perhaps you should send a link to GWB.
Thanks for the memory. Yes, even now I know the words and sang along. Good song, good words, good memories, good protests.
Just seen the second video montage. John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, wonderful. We really did have the best music, Winston, didn’t we
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