It is the group's most successful single, spending seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and giving them their second number one. Internationally, the song reached the top 5 of many countries.
"Waterfalls" is often considered the group's signature song.
Waterfalls
TLC 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 knows 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 gives 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
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
Come on
I seen a rainbow yesterday
But too many storms have come and gone
Leavin' a trace of not one 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
With such an endurin' pain
That it keeps 'em in the pourin' rain
Who's to blame for tootin' caine into 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 (oh, 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 lyrics of TLC's "Waterfalls" convey the message of caution and self-preservation. The song tells the story of two different characters caught up in their own vices, with their lives spiraling out of control. The first verse is about a mother who worries about her son and cannot seem to help him, despite being there for him whenever he needs her. The second verse speaks about a man named Little Precious, who has a natural obsession for temptation and indulgence. His girlfriend gives him all the love he craves, but he fails to see the harm it is causing him. He realizes too late how his choices have caught up with him, leading to his untimely demise.
Through these stories, the song urges listeners not to "go chasing waterfalls" but to "stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to." The message is to avoid taking unnecessary risks and to stay within our limits. The "waterfalls" in the song symbolize the dangerous paths we take in life, and chasing them leads to ruin. The song stresses the importance of making wise decisions, self-control, and self-awareness.
Overall, "Waterfalls" is a powerful message urging listeners to take control of their lives and avoid taking unnecessary risks. The song highlights the consequences of our actions and urges us to make better choices to achieve our hopes and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
A lonely mother gazing out of her window
A mother is looking out her window with sadness and loneliness.
Staring at a son that she just can't touch
She is looking at her son who is difficult to communicate with or connect to.
If at any time he's in a jam she'll be by his side
The mother will always support and help her son in times of need.
But he doesn't realize he hurts her so much
The mother is hurt by her son's actions and choices, but he is unaware of the impact they have on her.
But all the praying just ain't helping at all
Despite the mother's prayers, her son's behavior continues to cause harm.
'Cause he can't seem to keep his self out of trouble
The son repeatedly finds himself in difficult or dangerous situations.
So, he goes out and he makes his money the best way he know how
The son turns to potentially illegal or dangerous means to make a living.
Another body laying cold in the gutter
The dangerous lifestyle the son leads has resulted in the death of someone.
Listen to me
An interjection imploring the listener to pay attention.
Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation
There is someone with an intense desire for something that is not good for them.
But he just can't see
This person is unable to see the danger or negative consequences of their actions.
She give him loving that his body can't handle
This person is receiving love or pleasure that is too much for their body or mind to handle.
But all he can say is, "Baby, it's good to me"
Despite the negative effects, this person continues to justify their behavior by focusing on the pleasure they receive.
One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror
This person finally takes a moment to reflect on themselves and their choices.
But he doesn't recognize his own face
This person does not recognize the person they have become or the effects of their choices.
His health is fading and he doesn't know why
The person's poor health is a result of their poor choices, but they don't understand this.
Three letters took him to his final resting place
A disease or ailment that is a result of the person's poor choices has caused their death.
Y'all don't hear me
An interjection imploring the listener to pay attention.
I seen a rainbow yesterday
An anecdote that suggests there is hope and positivity in the world.
But too many storms have come and gone
Despite the hopefulness, there have been many hardships and difficulties.
Leavin' a trace of not on God-given ray
The difficulties have left a negative mark or impact on the person's life.
Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
This person's life may lack vibrancy or positivity.
I pray all ten fade away
The person hopes that the negativity in their life will disappear.
Seldom praise Him for the sunny days
This person rarely expresses gratitude for positive or fortunate moments in their life.
And like his promise is true
God's promises are reliable and true.
Only my faith can undo
Only faith can counteract or heal the negative impacts of past choices.
The many chances I blew
This person has missed out on many opportunities due to poor choices or mistakes.
To bring my life to anew
The person wants to start fresh and renew their life.
Clear blue and unconditional skies
This describes a positive and peaceful state of being.
Have dried the tears from my eyes
This positive state of being has resulted in the person being free from sadness and negative emotion.
No more lonely cries
This person is no longer alone or experiencing loneliness.
My only bleedin' hope
Hope is the only thing that keeps this person going.
Is for the folk who can't cope
The person hopes that others who are struggling or unable to cope will find hope as well.
Wit such an endurin' pain
There are people experiencing intense and long-lasting pain.
That it keeps 'em in the pourin' rain
The pain is overwhelming and consuming, leaving the person in a state of distress.
Who's to blame
An inquiry regarding who is responsible for the pain and suffering experienced by some.
For tootin' caine in your own vein
The blame may lie with someone's own choices and actions that have led to harmful consequences.
What a shame
The situation is unfortunate and unnecessary.
You shoot and aim for someone else's brain
Some individuals harm others through their actions or decisions.
You claim the insane
People who engage in harmful behavior may make excuses or avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
And name this day in time
This behavior is happening now and has occurred for some time.
For fallin prey to crime
Some individuals are vulnerable to becoming involved in criminal activity.
I say the system got you victim to your own mind
The systems or structures in place can contribute to people making harmful choices or holding destructive beliefs.
Dreams are hopeless aspirations
Sometimes what one hopes and desires does not seem achievable or realistic.
In hopes of comin' true
Despite the odds, people still hope that their aspirations can be realized.
Believe in yourself
An encouragement to have confidence in oneself.
The rest is up to me and you
One must take action to make their dreams a reality.
Don't go chasing waterfalls
A warning not to seek after unrealistic or dangerous goals or desires.
Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to
Stick to what you know and what is safe and reliable.
I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all
Despite warnings, some people may still insist on having things their way or not at all.
But I think you're moving too fast
A warning that someone is moving too quickly towards something dangerous or unrealistic.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., 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
@dustythe2nd188
At 3:50 Lyrics by Left Eye: Ah c'mon
I seen a rainbow yesterday
But too many storms have come and joined
Leavin' a trace of not one 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 and 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
With such an endurin' pain that it keeps them in the pourin' rain
Who's to blame for tootin' caine into your own vein
What a shame, you shoot and aim for someone else's brain
You claim the insane and ain't this day and time for fallin'
Prey to crime I say the system got you victim to your mind
Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of coming true
Believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you
She killed it in this song.
@meganchoi9097
Mom and dad are goin' out for the evening
And you're stuck inside the house all alone
That's when you decided it might be fun to harass someone
Dial a random number up on your telephone
You ask if their refrigerator is running
Then you tell 'em they should go out and catch it
Buddy, if they ever figured out where you were callin' 'em from
They'd come and bust your head right in with a ratchet
Listen to me
Don't go makin' phony calls
Please stick to the seven-digit numbers you're used to
I know that you think it's funny drivin' folks up the wall
But it's really gettin' old fast
Little Melvin has a natural obsession
Askin' for Prince Albert in a can
He gets a kick each time he makes a collect call
To some guy he doesn't know who lives in Japan
He's callin' strangers up at three in the morning
Gives 'em pizza pie delivery at four
He won't be laughin when they're tracin' his line
One day the phone police will be there at his door
Yo, hear me
Don't go makin' phony calls
@sagegarcia5001
[Verse 3: Left Eye]
I seen a rainbow yesterday, but too many storms have come and gone
Leaving a trace of not one 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 and blue and unconditional skies
Have dried the tears from my eyes
No more lonely cries
My only bleeding hope
Is for the folk who can't cope with such an enduring pain
That it keeps them in the pouring rain
Who's to blame for tooting 'caine into 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 falling prey to crime
I say the system's got you victim to your own mind
Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of coming true
Believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you
@aarondu8088
Let's all admit. This wasn't in our recommendations. We all searched for it
@kellykellyton8287
I remember when this video came out I must have been 10 (I’m now 33) and it was a shock that I needed. ❤️
@neonoos
Yuhp
@onlyfans.alycatrawr
Im 28 so i must have been 5 wow, i miss being 5 my mom played them all the time, i miss my mom
@rorydean5108
I'm a metalhead but grew up with this song, and yes, I searched it and headbanging to it LOL :P
@vedaparenzee4623
rightt😅😭
@curtisclark13
Long Live the memory of guitarist Ed Stroud who played on this sound and many more. He passed away yesterday.
@yohan1004
bless him.
@roo1773
Hope TLC came to see him out
@KennuhWayne
I heard he's back now though.