For What It's Worth

Manassas, Stephen Stills

About For What It's Worth

"For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound)" (often referred to as simply "For What It's Worth") is a song written by Stephen Stills. Performed by Buffalo Springfield, it was recorded on December 5, 1966; released as a single on Atco Records on December 23, 1966; and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1967. It was later added to the March 1967 second pressing of their first album, Buffalo Springfield. The title was added after the song was written, and does not appear in the lyrics. more »

Year:: 2016
: 2:56
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Stephen Stills

Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young). He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time. Stills was ranked #28 in Rolling Stone Magazine's 2003 list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Stills became the first person to be inducted twice on the same night into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with CSN and Buffalo Springfield. more »

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11 facts about this song

Authorship "For What It's Worth" was written by Stephen Stills, who was a member of the band Buffalo Springfield. He has been recognized as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation.
Inspiration The song was inspired by the Sunset Strip curfew riots that took place in Los Angeles in 1966. The riots were a series of counterculture-era clashes that occurred between police and young music fans on the Sunset Strip.
Release Date "For What It's Worth" was released as a single in January 1967.
Chart Performance The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Buffalo Springfield's biggest hit.
Album Appearance Despite its success as a standalone single, "For What It's Worth" was not initially supposed to be included on an album. Due to its popularity, it was subsequently added to the second pressing of Buffalo Springfield's debut album, replacing "Baby Don't Scold Me."
Musical Composition The song is known for its distinctive guitar intro played by Stills and its poignant lyrics that describe the turmoil of the 1960s.
Cultural Influence The song came to be seen as an anthem for social and political unrest and has been widely utilized in various TV shows, films, and commercials to evoke moments of tension, protest, or historical highlight of the 60s.
Artistic Interpretations Aside from Buffalo Springfield, many artists, including Public Enemy, Rush, and Kid Rock, have either covered or sampled "For What It's Worth," demonstrating its enduring influence and widespread appeal.
Recognition "For What It's Worth" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006, honored for its historical significance in American music.
Use in Protest Movements The song continues to be associated with protest movements and remains relevant in modern America, used in events such as the Occupy Wall Street movement and after the 2016 presidential election.
Song Duration The song is quite short, with a runtime of only 2 minutes and 37 seconds, but its compact and potent representation of social unrest has had a lasting impact, highlighting the songwriting prowess of Stephen Stills.

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"For What It's Worth Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32491413/Stephen+Stills/For+What+It%27s+Worth>.

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