Buffalo Springfield – Stop Children What’s That Sound

Editor’s Note: The song and lyrics have a long history, of protest and resistance. Below is a brief summary provided by ChatGPT. #Resistance

“For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield — often referred to by its famous lyric “Stop, children, what’s that sound?” — is a protest song written by Stephen Stills and released in 1966. Despite popular belief, it was not written specifically about the Vietnam War.

Background Story

The song was inspired by the Sunset Strip curfew riots in Los Angeles in late 1966, not the war. At the time, young people, especially teens and hippies, were gathering at clubs on the Sunset Strip. In response to complaints from local residents and businesses, the city imposed a 10 p.m. curfew and began enforcing loitering laws. This led to clashes between the youth and police, especially during a protest on November 12, 1966, outside the Pandora’s Box club.

Stephen Stills, witnessing the tensions and generational divide, wrote the song in reaction.

Lyrics Meaning

The lyrics reflect a general sense of unease and protest:

• “There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear” speaks to confusion about social unrest.
• “Young people speaking their minds, getting so much resistance from behind” references generational conflict and the repression of youth voices.
• “Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong” suggests moral ambiguity in times of conflict.

Legacy

Though rooted in a local event, the song’s tone and message resonated with broader themes of protest and civil unrest, making it an enduring anthem of the 1960s counterculture and anti-establishment movements.

It remains one of the most iconic protest songs of its era.“For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield — often referred to by its famous lyric “Stop, children, what’s that sound?” — is a protest song written by Stephen Stills and released in 1966. Despite popular belief, it was not written specifically about the Vietnam War.

Background Story

The song was inspired by the Sunset Strip curfew riots in Los Angeles in late 1966, not the war. At the time, young people, especially teens and hippies, were gathering at clubs on the Sunset Strip. In response to complaints from local residents and businesses, the city imposed a 10 p.m. curfew and began enforcing loitering laws. This led to clashes between the youth and police, especially during a protest on November 12, 1966, outside the Pandora’s Box club.

Stephen Stills, witnessing the tensions and generational divide, wrote the song in reaction.

Lyrics Meaning

The lyrics reflect a general sense of unease and protest:

• “There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear” speaks to confusion about social unrest.
• “Young people speaking their minds, getting so much resistance from behind” references generational conflict and the repression of youth voices.
• “Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong” suggests moral ambiguity in times of conflict.

Legacy

Though rooted in a local event, the song’s tone and message resonated with broader themes of protest and civil unrest, making it an enduring anthem of the 1960s counterculture and anti-establishment movements.

It remains one of the most iconic protest songs of its era.

Lyrics

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 (Ooh ooh ooh)
A thousand people in the street (Ooh ooh ooh)
Singing songs and they carrying signs (Ooh ooh ooh)
Mostly say, “Hooray for our side” (Ooh ooh ooh)

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?

You better stop
Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?

You better stop
Now, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?

You better stop
Children, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Stephen Stills

For What It’s Worth lyrics © Cotillion Music Inc., Springalo Toones, Ten East Music, Richie Furay Music