Waterfall
TiC Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

A lonely mother gazing out of her window
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
Listen to 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

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to TiC’s “Waterfall” tell a story from the perspectives of two individuals who are making choices that are affecting their lives negatively. The first verse speaks of a mother who is watching her son make decisions that are leading him down a dangerous path. She wishes she could help him, but despite her prayers, he continues on this path. The chorus warns against chasing after things that may be too dangerous or too tempting, encouraging listeners to stick to what they know and what is safer for their well-being.


The second verse talks about a man named Little Precious who is indulging in temptation, which is damaging his health. He eventually succumbs to the consequences of his actions and passes away, leaving behind a message to others who may be facing similar struggles. The bridge expresses hope for a better future and encourages listeners to believe in themselves while acknowledging the difficulty of overcoming certain challenges.


Overall, the lyrics promote the idea of making wise choices by avoiding dangerous paths and focusing on what is important in life. It is a cautionary tale that encourages listeners to be mindful of the decisions they make.


Line by Line Meaning

A lonely mother gazing out of her window
A mother feels isolated and alone as she looks out her window


Staring at a son that she just can't touch
She desires to reach out to her son, but feels unable to connect with him


If at any time he's in a jam she'll be by his side
She's willing to stand by her son no matter what happens


But he doesn't realize he hurts her so much
Her son is unaware of the pain he causes his mother


But all the praying just ain't helping at all
Despite her prayers, her son continues to struggle


'Cause he can't seem to keep his self out of trouble
Her son is unable to avoid getting into difficult situations


So, he goes out and he makes his money the best way he know how
To support himself, her son does what he feels is necessary


Another body laying cold in the gutter
Through his actions, someone has died and is now dead on the ground


Don't go chasing waterfalls
Do not pursue goals or experiences that are beyond your abilities, means or values


Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to
Stay within safe and familiar boundaries


I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all
I understand that you desire to achieve what you want on your own terms, but is not always possible


But I think you're moving too fast
I believe your pursuit of your desires is happening too quickly


Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation
A person named 'Little Precious' has a strong inclination toward temptation


But he just can't see
He is unaware of the potential consequences of his actions


She give him loving that his body can't handle
His partner provides physical pleasure that is detrimental to his well-being


But all he can say is, "Baby, it's good to me"
Despite the harm his partner causes him, he still views it as positive


One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror
He catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror


But he doesn't recognize his own face
He doesn't identify with the person he sees in the reflection


His health is fading and he doesn't know why
He's experiencing physical decline, but does not understand the cause


Three letters took him to his final resting place
The letters likely represent an illness or condition that led to his death


I seen rainbow yesterday
I saw a rainbow the other day


But too many storms have come and gone
There have been too many difficult experiences that have passed


Leavin' a trace of not on God-given ray
Life's difficulties have left a shadow over the natural beauty of the world


Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
The author questions whether their experiences have dulled the color of life


I pray all ten fade away
The author hopes that their difficulties and pain will disappear


Seldom praise Him for the sunny days
The author reflects on how they don't usually celebrate good times


And like his promise is true
Like the promise of a higher power is dependable


Only my faith can undo
The author believes their reliance on their faith can alleviate life's difficulties


The many chances I blew
The author has missed numerous opportunities in life


To bring my life to anew
The author seeks to restart their life


Clear blue and unconditional skies
The idea of a simple, uncluttered life


Have dried the tears from my eyes
A sense of calm and joy has removed the author's sadness


No more lonely cries
The author doesn't feel alone or sad anymore


My only bleedin' hope
The author's main source of hope


Is for the folk who can't cope
The author wishes to help those who struggle during difficult times


Wit such an endurin' pain
The pain being experienced is lasting and feels never-ending


That it keeps 'em in the pourin' rain
The pain has left them in a state of chaos and disarray


Who's to blame
The author asks who is responsible for the pain experienced by others


For tootin' caine in your own vein
The author references drug use and the long-term damage it can cause


What a shame
The situation and consequences are unfortunate


You shoot and aim for someone else's brain
The author comments on the practice of harming others to make oneself feel better


You claim the insane
The author references the practice of using mental illness as an excuse for negative behavior


And name this day in time
The author questions how society explains and responds to such negative behavior


For fallin prey to crime
The author discusses the idea of vulnerability and how it relates to crime


I say the system got you victim to your own mind
The author holds the system responsible for causing individuals to think and behave negatively


Dreams are hopeless aspirations
Dreams can often feel far off and unattainable


In hopes of comin' true
Despite their nature, dreams are still worthy of pursuit


Believe in yourself
Trusting in oneself is key to achieving aspirations


The rest is up to me and you
It's up to individuals to take the necessary steps toward achieving their dreams




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lisa Lopes, Marqueze Ethridge, Patrick Brown, Raymon Ameer Murray, Rico Renard Wade

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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😅😭

600 More Replies...

@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.

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