For What It's Worth

Now that I've calmed down from the complete awesomeness of this song - I've had a chance to actually think about what the lyrics mean to me. Here's my interpretation (I've not heard one from Brian yet);

For me, this song is about trying to please those around at the expense of your own happiness. It seems that Brian is doing his best to make everyone around him happy (his family, his lovers, his friends) but in the end he looses it all anyway because he is not okay. Ultimately nobody cares for anyone more than they care for themselves ("No one cares when you're down in the gutter") so trying to please others was pointless if nobody is going to make him happy in return.

I don't know if what I said makes sense - it made sense in my mind. Anyway, I guess because that interpretation hits close to home, then that's how I see it.

No, I think it's a good point of view, it's risking something very important (like your life, your career, your time, your heart) for something that you consider worthy but in the end, it's like "every man for himself"

OMG!!!This song is awesomee!!It's what I was waiting for..I love the music,the lyrics,the video...everything! It's addictive and grows on you as every song by Placebo!! No idea what the lyrics mean,but For What It's worth is exactly what I wanted to hear!! I haven't stop listening to it since last night.Perfect!!

I agree with cameo, but, sadly, not with gimmefate. How can I describe what he means with "for what it's worth"? By using it in context!

Judge: "You are charged with murder!" Defendant: "For what it's worth, he had a gun" Either that or

Man 1: "I killed the dog today" Man 2: "That's horrible!" Man 1: "For what it's worth, my girlfriend just broke up with me. I've been on an emotional roller coaster all week"

Hope that helps explain things :)

My interperetation is as follows: Being a big placebo fan I know a large number of their songs are about failed relationships.

The first verse Basically sums the meaning of the song up this being that a person gave up everything for someone else, only for that person to reject them.

The second verse Describes the lust this man feels for his lover "Come on lay with me, cos I'm on fire. "I tear the sun in three" represents how much this man has done to complete the simple task of "To light up your eyes" (to see his lover excited or happy or impressed)

The third verse describes how this man did even more for his lover. He was willing to break up his own family, to care for him/her. The disease refers to his state of love, that is so great that it cannot be removed, similarly to a disease. Walk in the rising tide is symbolic of taking a risk with a relationship. "Filled a cavity" refers to the common belief that a lover can fill the holes or flaws in your personality in a way perhaps only a God could.

Finally the last verse describes how this man literally gave up everything for his lover. He no longer has a family, friend "Got no friends" or even a job. All of this was forfeited for love. And this lover clearly rejected him "Got no lover.', as he now is out on the streets (either literally or he feels in his mind as poor as a person living in the streets would).

Overall I think the song is a warning, not to give up everything to pursue a relationship that may not even work.

'I always aimed to please But I nearly died' was a big revelation for the protagonist and hence a turning point in his life.

This is the first step into realizing he needs to change his approach to achieve what he wants.

But the song is not about taking better actions through that revelation because the protagonist is still reflecting on what led to this revelation.

At first, he wants to distract himself ('Come on lay with me 'cause I'm on fire') and he tries it one more time the old way ('I'd tear the sun in three to light up your eyes') showing once again how much he's prepared to do for his love, but ultimately he reflects on the things he's already done for her ('Broke up the family').

He understands that she's his 'disease' and he understands the position he's in now 'No one cares when you're down in the gutter'. So it's clear he's not ready to change yet. All this talk about 'For what it's worth' is like him saying 'What does it matter what I'm doing. I've fallen so low anyway. Can also make the best of it.'

This refers to ignoring the call to change and just having sex with her again by following his sexual desires ('Fill the cavity. Your God-shaped hole tonight').

The resolution of the song is that he's hit rock bottom. He's in the gutter and he's lost her too - the one person he gave up everything for. And that's a cautionary tale: If you lose yourself in order to be with someone and reject and push away everyone and everything else, then one day you'll end up completely alone and with nothing.

But when you look back at the first verse, the protagonist said: 'I always aimed to please but I nearly died'. This refers back to the ending of the song. The protagonist had been in the gutter but he made it through. He nearly died there. And now he can act as a mentor for other people who might be caught in the same situation.

I think the meaning is the amount of sacrifices one's decides to do in order to achieve the thing he thinks it's the best. At the end he is focusing so much on achieving that he doesn't realises the price to pay.

Wow. That's all I can say.

I thought Battle for the sun was okay and the repition grew on me. But this song is simply amazing. And Brian's hair is so long - it looks good though!!!!!

I love the music in this one, it changes often enough to not be boring; not that placebo is ever boring. I'm not making any sense. Anyway, Stefan's hair looks so cute cut like that. I love it, and I love the song of course XDD it's made my day.

'I always aimed to please But I nearly died'

wow... :/

True, I love this song. Also, I like to add that he emphasizes the line "got no lover" for a reason. My 2 cents, got it on repeat all day!