About the Song

Buffalo Springfield and the ’60s zeitgeist

“(Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)” is a song written by Stephen Stills and performed by Buffalo Springfield. It was released in December 1966 as the B-side of the single “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing”. The song quickly became a hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1967. It has since been covered by many artists, including Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young, and Brad Mehldau.

The song is a product of its time, reflecting the social and political upheaval of the 1960s. The lyrics reference the Sunset Strip curfew riots, which took place in Los Angeles in November 1966. The riots were sparked by a police crackdown on young people who were gathering on the Strip. The song’s lyrics capture the sense of frustration and anger that many young people felt at the time.

The song also reflects the growing anti-war sentiment in the United States. The line “There’s something happening here/What it is ain’t exactly clear” can be interpreted as a reference to the Vietnam War. The song’s message of peace and understanding is still relevant today, as we continue to grapple with social and political unrest.

“(Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)” is a classic example of a protest song. It is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the human desire for peace and justice. The song is a reminder that music can be a force for change, and that it can be used to raise awareness of important issues.

The song’s legacy

“(Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)” has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been used in numerous films and television shows, including “The Big Chill”, “Forrest Gump”, and “The Wonder Years”. The song has also been covered by many artists, including Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young, and Brad Mehldau.

The song’s message of peace and understanding is still relevant today, as we continue to grapple with social and political unrest. “(Stop, Hey What’s That Sound)” is a classic example of a protest song that can be used to raise awareness of important issues. It is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the human desire for peace and justice.

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Lyrics: For What It’s Worth

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 bewareI 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 behindIt’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 carrying signs
Mostly saying, “hooray for our side”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 man come and take you away

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

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

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

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

You Missed

Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.