20 Landmark Songs Of The 60s

17. Buffalo Springfield €“ For What It's Worth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5JCrSXkJY This is a cri de coeur, but in keeping with the hippy vibe of the times, one of the most laid back protest songs ever written. The title itself perfectly sums up the mood of the song, that of a weary acceptance of oncoming change. It heralded a new type of anti-establishment song; in the 60's songs that spoke about social unrest moved into the mainstream and became the voice of the masses. 'For what it's worth' has been the subject of debate about the actual event that inspired it, (it was apparently a ruck outside a club where the band had a residency) but the literal inspiration is far less important, this is a song that is all about drawing the battle lines between the emergent counter culture and the establishment. The lyrics "What a field day for the heat, a thousand people in the street, singing songs and carrying signs, mostly saying, "hooray for our side." signposting an imminent battle, and stating the individuality that any music scene has, it's us against everyone else, particularly against those in power. It was also a landmark in establishing two of the leading lights of 60's music, providing the home for Stephen Stills and Neil Young, who would go on to define the supergroups of the 70's, but that's a story for another time.