"For What It's Worth" as written by Steve Forrest, William Lloyd, Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal....
The end of the century
I said my goodbyes
For what it's worth
I always aimed to please
But I nearly died
For what it's worth
Come on lay with me
Cause I'm on fire
For what it's worth
I tear the sun in three
To light up your eyes
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
Broke up the family
Everybody cried
For what it's worth
I have a slow disease
That sucked me dry
For what it's worth
Come on walk with me
Into the rising tide
For what it's worth
Filled a cavity
Your god shaped hole tonight
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
No one cares when you're out on the street
Picking up the pieces to make ends meet
No one cares when you're down in the gutter
Got no friends, got no lover
No one cares when you're out on the street
Picking up the pieces to make ends meet
No one cares when you're down in the gutter
Got no friends, got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
Got no friends got no lover
I said my goodbyes
For what it's worth
I always aimed to please
But I nearly died
For what it's worth
Come on lay with me
Cause I'm on fire
For what it's worth
I tear the sun in three
To light up your eyes
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
Broke up the family
Everybody cried
For what it's worth
I have a slow disease
That sucked me dry
For what it's worth
Come on walk with me
Into the rising tide
For what it's worth
Filled a cavity
Your god shaped hole tonight
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
For what it's worth
No one cares when you're out on the street
Picking up the pieces to make ends meet
No one cares when you're down in the gutter
Got no friends, got no lover
No one cares when you're out on the street
Picking up the pieces to make ends meet
No one cares when you're down in the gutter
Got no friends, got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
For what it's worth
Got no lover
Got no friends got no lover
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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.
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!!
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 :)
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 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.
But I nearly died'
wow... :/
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!
Cool song... To me it's like the end of something important, the moment when you choose to go on pursuing something even if it cost you your life"