Waterfalls
by TLC

Album: CrazySexyCool (1994)
Charted: 4 1
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  • A lonely mother gazin' out of the window
    Staring at her 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 layin' cold in the gutter, listen to me

    Don't go chasin' 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 take 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 chasin' 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

    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 own mind
    Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of coming true
    Believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you

    Don't go chasin' 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 chasin' 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 Writer/s: Lisa Nicole Lopes, Marqueze M. Ethridge, Patrick L. Brown, Raymon Ameer Murray, Rico Renard Wade
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TuneCore Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 26

  • Susan from IllinoisMoe Butay from Knoxville
    Yes AIDS does have four letters
    The three letters referred to in the song are
    HIV, the virus that causes the disease AIDS.
  • The Doctor from Somewhere In The UkI thought the song was mentioning some random guy called Jason Waterfalls “Don’t go Jason Waterfalls”
  • Moe Butay from KnoxvilleDoesn't "AIDS" have four letters?
  • Ernest-o from Reno NvThe chasing part, I believe is the act of actively seeking them out as opposed to enjoying the lakes or streams that are right next to you
  • Mark from New YorkIt's fascinating how fans know the meaning of the song better than the actual songwriter.
  • Sw from United StatesThe song is about shooting up drugs, the AIDS epidemic, and fallen youth with no education left to the streets. This song was meant to help save lives and preach to the people subtlety that this is a problem we need to pay attention to, and foster, in order to make it better.
  • Liz from Atlanta I think the waterfall metaphor is relative to hype and excitement folks were having rushing and jumping in and out of bed with folks ,having unprotected sex with people they barely knew even though AIDS was ravaging communities .compared to taking it slow and getting to know someone b4 you share physical intimacy. Waterfall(fast),lakes(slow) The words AIDS are actually IN THE VIDEO
  • J-roy from Houston Really, no one here hears what I hear? Waterfall is a metaphor for a man ejaculating. Rivers and lakes is a metaphor for a women’s labia and vagina. Seriously, no one else gets this?
  • Paula from North CarolinaLyrics were used in Season 2 of Umbrella Academy. (Spoiler! Klaus goes around sagely telling people "Don't go chasing waterfalls, stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to.")
  • Scoboh from York, PaWaterfalls is a metaphor for the drama (waterfalls are very dramatic and amazing) you feel with some relationships... you love it now but stick to the rivers and the lakes that you are used to... Rivers and lakes tend to be less dramatic, and its what the person they are speaking to is "used to" - Its a great song, and I always enjoy hearing it.
  • Jake from WisconsinSusan, the point is that the metaphor that they made up doesn't make any sense. They could have said don't go chasing frying pans, it would have made the same amount of sense.
  • Susan from Tucson Arizonai am commenting on the person who's commented from New York. Clemence if you look up the meaning of this song Waterfalls you can read all about this song. Your comment is sad cause after reading the meaning of this song you see that it make total sense about the hole song.
  • Clemence from New York"Chasing waterfalls" doesn't make any sense. Waterfalls are stationary. You can't chase something that isn't moving. Yes, the water is moving - falling over the waterfall, but the falls themselves stay in the same place. I never understood this metaphor.
  • Miranda from Havana, ArWaterfall has been my favorite song since I can remember! I just found out the meaning of it and i love it! I listened to this song everyday when i was a kid!
  • Rahul from Chennai, Indiatook some time to appreciate it but after tat nothin cud stop me frm likin it though im a rock fanatic....
  • Jeana from Sterling Heights, Mii was like 5 years old when this song came out and it's always been one of my all time favorite songs

    i think it was my next door neighbor that got me into this song
  • Mary from Phoenix, AzI have always LOVED this song, but the first few times I heard it, I thought they were saying "Go, go, Jason Waterfalls".
  • Joe from Chicago, IlWeird Al parodied this as Phony Calls. Also, this was the second biggest hit of '95 behind Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise.
  • Mia from Akron, OhThis song is great it means alot to me. I think that if people take the time to listen to it they will love it, and we would not have so many problems in the world today
  • Marcelona from Chicago, IlI have to think that TLC must have heard the song "Waterfalls" by Paul McCartney. The lyrics and intent/message of the song are way too close to be random:

    "Don't Go Jumping Waterfalls
    Please Keep To The Lake
    People Who Jump Waterfalls
    Sometimes Cam Make Mistakes"
  • Kaylie from San Antonio, Txthis song teaches people a very good lesson. every1 should listen 2 it.
  • Christina from Chandler, Azi think it's interesting that Paul McCartney had a song called "Waterfalls" with the first line "Don't go chasing Polar Bears". I wonder if that song had any influence on TLC's Waterfalls.
  • Monika from Birmingham, AlWaterfalls is one those song everyoone should hear once
  • Christopher from Farmington, Nmthis song has a message along with the song unpretty. It is a really good song also.
  • Janetta from Davenport, Iathis song is freakin awsome
  • Carl from San Francisco, CaSong was produced by Sleepy Brown who is most known for his collaborations with Outkast.
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