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For What Its Worth

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For What It's Worth chords
* Second guitar harmonics: very, very lightly barr 12th fret and pick E B
[Intro]*
 E   A2x
[Verse]
There's Esomethin' happenin' Ahere
What it Eis ain't exactly Aclear
There's a Eman with a gun, over Athere
Tellin' Eme I got to beAware
[Chorus]  
(I think it's time we)
EStop, children, Dwhat's that sound?
AEverybody look - what's Cgoin' Edown?
 E   A2x
[Verse]
There's Ebattle lines bein' Adrawn
Nobody's Eright if everybody's Awrong
Young people Espeakin' their Aminds
Gettin' Eso much resistance Afrom behind
[Chorus]
(I think it's time we)
EStop, children, Dwhat's that sound?
AEverybody look - what's Cgoin' Edown?
 E   A2x
[Verse]
EWhat a field day for the Aheat
A Ethousand people in the Astreet
Singin' Esongs and carryin' Asigns
Mostly Esayin', "hooray for our Aside"
[Chorus]
(It's time we..)
EStop, children, Dwhat's that sound?
AEverybody look - what's Cgoin' Edown?
[Interlude]
 E    A2x
[Bridge]
EParanoia strikes Adeep
EInto your life it will Acreep
It Estarts when you're always aAfraid
Step out of Eline, the man come and Atake you away
[Chorus]
(I think it's time we)
EStop, children, Dwhat's that sound?
AEverybody look - what's Cgoin' Edown?
(I think it's time we)
EStop, children, Dwhat's that sound?
AEverybody look - what's Cgoin' you Ebetter?
(I think it's time we)
EStop, hey, Dwhat's that sound?
AEverybody look - what's Cgoin' you Ebetter?
(I think it's time we)
EStop, hey, Dwhat's that sound?
AEverybody look - what's Cgoin' Edown?
Set8

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

This song captures the tension and unease of a moment when young people clashed with authority. While often associated with anti-war protests, Stephen Stills wrote "For What It's Worth" after witnessing the Sunset Strip curfew riots, where police confronted youth on the streets of Hollywood. It vividly paints a scene where "there's somethin' happenin' here," urging everyone to "look – what's goin' down?" The song, released by Buffalo Springfield in late 1966, became an anthem for the counterculture era, reflecting a feeling of confusion and a call to observe the unfolding events. It channels the spirit of questioning and vigilance when faced with conflict.

AI-written from these sources:For What It's Worth — Wikipedia ↗Buffalo Springfield — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

For What Its Worth

For What Its Worth

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For What Its Worth

by Buffalo Springfield

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

For What It's Worth chords

* Second guitar harmonics: very, very lightly barr 12th fret and pick E B

[Intro]*

E A

[Verse]

E A

There's somethin' happenin' here

E A

What it is ain't exactly clear

E A

There's a man with a gun, over there

E A

Tellin' me I got to beware

[Chorus]

(I think it's time we)

E D

Stop, children, what's that sound?

A C E

Everybody look - what's goin' down?

E A

[Verse]

E A

There's battle lines bein' drawn

E A

Nobody's right if everybody's wrong

E A

Young people speakin' their minds

E A

Gettin' so much resistance from behind

[Chorus]

(I think it's time we)

E D

Stop, children, what's that sound?

A C E

Everybody look - what's goin' down?

E A

[Verse]

E A

What a field day for the heat

E A

A thousand people in the street

E A

Singin' songs and carryin' signs

E A

Mostly sayin', "hooray for our side"

[Chorus]

(It's time we..)

E D

Stop, children, what's that sound?

A C E

Everybody look - what's goin' down?

[Interlude]

E A

[Bridge]

E A

Paranoia strikes deep

E A

Into your life it will creep

E A

It starts when you're always afraid

E A

Step out of line, the man come and take you away

[Chorus]

(I think it's time we)

E D

Stop, children, what's that sound?

A C E

Everybody look - what's goin' down?

(I think it's time we)

E D

Stop, children, what's that sound?

A C E

Everybody look - what's goin' you better?

(I think it's time we)

E D

Stop, hey, what's that sound?

A C E

Everybody look - what's goin' you better?

(I think it's time we)

E D

Stop, hey, what's that sound?

A C E

Everybody look - what's goin' down?

Set8

About For What Its Worth Chords by Buffalo Springfield

Learn how to play For What Its Worth by Buffalo Springfield with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “For What Its Worth chords”, “For What Its Worth guitar chords”, or “Buffalo Springfield For What Its Worth chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy For What Its Worth chords and for experienced players who want accurate For What Its Worth lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B, A, D, C.

FAQ — For What Its Worth by Buffalo Springfield

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What key is "For What Its Worth" in?

The chords for "For What Its Worth" show the original chord names (including E, B, A, D, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.