“For What It’s Worth” is a track by Stevie Nicks, commercially released in digital formats on Friday, September 23, 2022. Recorded in May 2022, Stevie covers a song first recorded by Buffalo Springfield in 1966.
In 2023, Rhino included “For What It’s Worth” on Disc 10 of Stevie Nicks’ career retrospective Complete Studio Albums & Rarities.
About the Song
Stevie Nicks first shared news of recording a new version of “For What It’s Worth” at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival on September 4, 2022, where she opened the fall leg of her 2022 tour. She shared the following story about the song:
“[‘For What It’s Worth’] came on the radio and I… Really, this was when I was in a band with Lindsey, and it’s like we didn’t know. I mean, is this gonna work, maybe, who knew? So anyway, this song, I loved it. But I said in my mind, someday I’m gonna record that song, because I always wanted to look at the glass half full, right? So this song became then slightly political, but not really, and I was like really not political so I just loved the song.
“So anyway, I recorded it, and you’ll hear it because it’s gonna come out in just a couple of weeks. And really my message with doing this song is just everybody, if you can when it comes around to the time for us all to vote, please vote because it’s important because we can. And even I, who didn’t vote for, you know, like I don’t know like 30 years, I mean, because I was what? Too busy, and I was just too busy so I didn’t. So I’m telling you, it would be a great thing. You would be proud of yourself; please vote. This song, written by Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills & Nash, ‘For What It’s Worth.’”
Stephen Stills thanked Stevie for performing the song at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival.
Stevie recorded “For What It’s Worth” in May 2022, following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas (Nicks, 2022).
Thank you @StevieNicks! pic.twitter.com/YLoaWwXywE
— Stephen Stills (@Stephen__Stills) September 6, 2022
On September 21, 2022, Stevie shared the following handwritten letter (later shared on her social media sites):
“I am so excited to release my new song this Friday. It’s called ‘For What It’s Worth’ and it was written by Stephen Stills in 1966. It meant something to me then, and it means something to me now. I always wanted to interpret it thru the eyes of a woman ~ and it seems like today, in the times that we live in ~ that it has alot to say… I can’t wait for you to hear it.” ~❤️~ Stevie Nicks
Friday! #ForWhatItsWorth pic.twitter.com/SXuTGeW0QY
— Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) September 21, 2022
On September 21, 2022, iHeartRadio world premiered the song on its radio networks, writing “it’s a must-listen!!!”
We are airing the World Premiere of @StevieNicks’ new song “For What It’s Worth” and it's a must-listen!!! 🔥🤩
Listen now: https://t.co/rmJf2MpOUk pic.twitter.com/W6SHMHTezD
— iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) September 22, 2022
Listen today on @iHeartRadio’s Classic Rock stations to hear it first! #ForWhatItsWorth pic.twitter.com/BP7pSCfJAP
— Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) September 22, 2022
On September 23, 2022, Stevie celebrated the commercial release of her recording, writing, “My version of “For What It’s Worth” is out now! Originally written in 1966 by @Stephen__Stills, and recorded by Buffalo Springfield, this song has always meant so much to me. I hope you love it as much as I do.”
My version of "For What It’s Worth" is out now! Originally written in 1966 by @Stephen__Stills, and recorded by Buffalo Springfield, this song has always meant so much to me. I hope you love it as much as I do. https://t.co/To9fvKkqs7 pic.twitter.com/v3ngFOmr0X
— Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) September 23, 2022
Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash), who wrote the song, expressed his appreciation to Stevie for re-recording the track, writing “an unmistakeable (sic) voice and timeless lyrics come together for a beautiful version of #ForWhatItsWorth. Heartfelt thanks to @StevieNicks and her team.”
An unmistakeable voice and timeless lyrics come together for a beautiful version of #ForWhatItsWorth. Heartfelt thanks to @StevieNicks and her team. https://t.co/YIRRB74gbq
— Stephen Stills (@Stephen__Stills) September 23, 2022
Lyrics
Something happenin’ here
But what it is ain’t exactly clear
There’s a man with a gun over there
Tellin’ me I got to beware
Well, 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
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and they carrying signs
Mostly say, “Hooray for our side”
Well, 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
You 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
Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
Stop
Everybody look, what’s going down?
Stop
You better stop
Hey, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
And it’s going down
It’s going down
So you better stop
You better watch
You better listen
You better stop
Children
Children
What’s that sound?
What’s that sound?
What’s that sound?
What’s that sound?
Every look what’s going down
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Something happenin’ here
What it is ain’t exactly clear
There’s a man with gun over there
Tellin’ me I got to beware
I think it’s time we stop
Nobody’s right
Stop
If everyone’s wrong
Listen
Stop
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
References
Nicks, S. (2022, September 26). Interview. The Zane Lowe Show.
