He trick-or-treated at Liberace’s house, planned a two-day stay in Amsterdam that ended a month later with him escaping the city under the cover of darkness, and was Bob Hope’s favorite altar boy. On top of that, he co-wrote the longest-running song on the Billboard Top 100, had a debut solo album that earned three and a half stars in Rolling Stone, and was awarded the title of “San Diego’s Most Influential Artist of the Decade” at the San Diego Music Awards.
Born among in Halifax, Nova Scotia, his parents moved him to Palm Springs where he was raised. After the University of San Diego, Poltz became a full time musician. He started out playing bars and coffee houses around San Diego, eventually forming the college radio favorite band, The Rugburns. The Rugburns are well-known and appreciated by DJs all over the country, due in no small part to the fact that the anthemic “Dick’s Automotive” was long enough to afford them the opportunity to relieve themselves and then some during their shows. The Rugburns blended punk, pop, folk, and if you listen close enough, you might just hear the slightest hint of a whisper of the possibility of Swedish Christian Death Metal. They were so freaking good that they found themselves in a crappy old van 300+ days a year, playing packed and sold out clubs and bars all over the country.
While performing dates at the Innerchange Coffeehouse in San Diego, he formed a relationship with Jewel, frequently opening for her on tours, co-writing songs, and appearing in her music video for "You Were Meant For Me." The song made it to Number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
In 1998, Poltz released his first solo album, One Left Shoe, for Mercury Records.
Poltz collaborated as a songwriter with A. J. Croce on Croce's 2004 album Adrian James Croce.
Dreamer: A Tribute to Kent Finlay, released in early 2016 on Austin-based Eight 30 Records, features Poltz' version of Finlay's "The Plight of the Bumblebee."
Waterfalls
Steve Poltz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Staring at a son that she just can't touch.
If at any time he's in a jam she'll be by his side,
But he doesn't realize he hurts her so much.
But all the praying just ain't helping at all,
'Cause he can't seem to keep his self out of trouble.
So, he goes out and he makes his money the best way he know how,
Another body laying cold in the gutter.
Don't go chasing waterfalls.
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.
I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all,
But I think you're moving too fast.
Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation,
But he just can't see.
She give him loving that his body can't handle,
But all he can say is, "Baby, it's good to me."
One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror,
But he doesn't recognize his own face.
His health is fading and he doesn't know why.
Three letters took him to his final resting place.
Y'all don't hear me.
Don't go chasing waterfalls.
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.
I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all,
But I think you're moving too fast.
I seen rainbow yesterday
But too many storms have come and gone
Leavin' a trace of not on God-given ray
Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
I pray all ten fade away
Seldom praise Him for the sunny days
And like his promise is true
Only my faith can undo
The many chances I blew
To bring my life to anew
Clear blue and unconditional skies
Have dried the tears from my eyes
No more lonely cries
My only bleedin' hope
Is for the folk who can't cope
Wit such an endurin' pain
That it keeps 'em in the pourin' rain
Who's to blame
For tootin' caine in your own vein
What a shame
You shoot and aim for someone else's brain
You claim the insane
And name this day in time
For fallin prey to crime
I say the system got you victim to your own mind
Dreams are hopeless aspirations
In hopes of comin' true
Believe in yourself
The rest is up to me and you
Don't go chasing waterfalls.
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.
I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all,
But I think you're moving too fast.
Don't go chasing waterfalls.
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.
I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all,
But I think you're moving too fast.
The song Waterfalls is a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing after things that ultimately lead to destruction. The lyrics tell the story of a mother watching her son make self-destructive choices, constantly getting into trouble and hurting those around him. The chorus serves as a warning to not "chase waterfalls," or to pursue things that are beyond one's grasp, and instead to stick to what is familiar and safe. The second verse tells the story of a man who becomes addicted to temptation and pleasure, leading to his eventual demise. The final verse encourages listeners to believe in themselves and take control of their own lives, rather than falling victim to external forces.
The music video for Waterfalls won several MTV Video Music Awards in 1995, including Video of the Year and Best Art Direction.
The song was written by TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Organized Noize (Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown), who also produced the track.
The original demo of the song was called "Waterfall," but was changed to "Waterfalls" to fit the song's message of not chasing after things that are out of reach.
The chorus of the song samples a line from Paul McCartney and Wings' song "Waterfalls" ("Don't go jumping waterfalls, please keep to the lake"), which was also a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking risks.
The song was TLC's biggest hit, spending seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.
The music video for Waterfalls was one of the first to address the issue of HIV/AIDS, featuring a storyline about a young man who contracts the virus.
The song has been covered by many artists, including Paul McCartney, Jason Mraz, and Stooshe.
Waterfalls has been featured in several films and TV shows, including Donnie Brasco, The Simpsons, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
In 2019, TLC performed Waterfalls on the finale of Dancing with the Stars.
The chords for Waterfalls are Am, G, F, and E.
Line by Line Meaning
A lonely mother gazing out of her window
A mother watches her son who she can't connect with.
Staring at a son that she just can't touch.
She longs to talk to him but cannot.
If at any time he's in a jam she'll be by his side,
If he needs help, she will be there for him.
But he doesn't realize he hurts her so much.
Her son is oblivious to how she feels.
But all the praying just ain't helping at all,
Her son's behavior isn't improving despite her prayers.
'Cause he can't seem to keep his self out of trouble.
He continues to make bad decisions and get into trouble.
So, he goes out and he makes his money the best way he know how,
He makes money however he can, even if it is dangerous or illegal.
Another body laying cold in the gutter.
Others have died because of the dangerous life he's chosen.
Don't go chasing waterfalls.
Don't pursue risky and dangerous things.
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.
Stay with things you know and are comfortable with.
I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all,
You want everything your way and will not settle for less.
But I think you're moving too fast.
You're moving too quickly and not considering the consequences.
Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation,
Someone is obsessed with temptation and pleasure.
But he just can't see.
The person is blind to the harmful effects of their actions.
She give him loving that his body can't handle,
The person receives too much physical pleasure that they cannot handle.
But all he can say is, "Baby, it's good to me."
The person is blinded by their pleasure and cannot see the harm it's causing.
One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror,
The person finally looks at themselves and realizes they don't recognize what they've become.
But he doesn't recognize his own face.
They have lost their sense of self-identity and don't know who they are anymore.
His health is fading and he doesn't know why.
The person's well-being is declining, and they don't understand why.
Three letters took him to his final resting place.
The person died from a disease, possibly from their reckless lifestyle.
I seen rainbow yesterday
The artist saw a rainbow recently.
But too many storms have come and gone
Life has been challenging with many struggles in the past.
Leavin' a trace of not on God-given ray
The difficult times have left a lasting impact and pain.
Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
Life feels dull and full of sadness.
I pray all ten fade away
The singer hopes their sadness and struggles disappear.
Seldom praise Him for the sunny days
The singer doesn't give enough thanks for the good things in their life.
And like his promise is true
Just like God's promise to bring good after the bad.
Only my faith can undo
The artist's faith is what will help them undo their struggles and pain.
The many chances I blew
The person regrets their missed opportunities.
To bring my life to anew
They want to start over or make significant changes in their life.
Clear blue and unconditional skies
The future looks bright and positive.
Have dried the tears from my eyes
The hardships are in the past, and they can move forward.
No more lonely cries
The artist is no longer crying and feeling lonely.
My only bleedin' hope
The one thing keeping them going is their hope.
Is for the folk who can't cope
They want to help those who can't handle their struggles.
Wit such an endurin' pain
Those in constant pain and hardships.
That it keeps 'em in the pourin' rain
People who are still suffering and struggling.
Who's to blame
Who can be held accountable for people's hardships?
For tootin' caine in your own vein
For taking drugs and harming themselves.
What a shame
It's unfortunate and sad.
You shoot and aim for someone else's brain
Hurting others and projecting their pain onto others.
You claim the insane
Blaming mental illness for their actions.
And name this day in time
The day their life changed and they realized what they were doing wrong.
For fallin prey to crime
For becoming involved in criminal activity.
I say the system got you victim to your own mind
The system of society is responsible for them falling to their vices.
Dreams are hopeless aspirations
Their hopes and dreams feel unattainable and pointless.
In hopes of comin' true
Despite that, they still maintain hope they will achieve them.
Believe in yourself
Believe that you have the strength to overcome your struggles.
The rest is up to me and you
It's up to everyone to work towards change and overcoming their struggles.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Raymon Ameer Murray, Rico Renard Wade, Lisa Nicole Lopes, Marqueze M. Ethridge, Patrick L. Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abraham Sanchez
I like this more than the original version
Gamer AGE
This is the original he wrote the song
Alli Reece
This is a really great album! And Steve Poltz is a stand up guy. So no matter what you do, you heard him, DO NOT GO CHASING WATERFALLS!!
The_Rickler
Steve Poltz is the man!
Jay Adler
Good rapper, huh?
__Theylovetyty
Uh ok...