Waterfalls

"Waterfalls"
Single by TLC
from the album CrazySexyCool
Released	May 29, 1995
Format	CD single
Recorded	1994
Genre	R&B, hip hop soul, pop
Length	4:18 (Single Version) 3:46 (Radio Edit w/o Rap) 4:39 (Album Version)
Label	LaFace
Writer(s)	Marqueze Etheridge, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Organized Noize
Producer	Organized Noize
Certification	RIAA: Platinum
TLC singles chronology
"Red Light Special" (1995) "Waterfalls" (1995) "Diggin' On You" (1995) CrazySexyCool track listing "Red Light Special" (7) "Waterfalls" (8) "Intermission-lude" (9)

"Waterfalls" is a 1995 single by R&B trio TLC from their second album CrazySexyCool and the group's signature song. The song was produced by Organized Noize and written by Marqueze Etheridge, TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Organized Noize. It was the 2nd biggest Hot 100 single of 1995, according to Billboard's Year End Chart. TLC performed the song at the 2008 BET Awards along with Alicia Keys.

Details

The music video was filmed at Universal Studios Hollywood; directed by F. Gary Gray and features Ella Joyce, Bokeem Woodbine, Shyheim, Paul J. Alessi and Gabrielle Bramford. The song and video tackle the issues of drug dealing and HIV.

T-Boz (left) and Left Eye(right) in the official "Waterfalls" video showing them on the water

The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks from July 8, 1995 - August 19, 1995. The background vocals on the recording were performed by all three members of TLC, as well as Debra Killings and Cee-Lo.

The song shares its title and possibly similar melodies & lyrics with "Waterfalls", a 1980 song by Paul McCartney. TLC's chorus begins, "Don't go chasing waterfalls / Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to", while McCartney's song begins, "Don't go jumping waterfalls / Please keep to the lake"; the second verse begins, "Don't go chasing polar bears".

The song was parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic as "Phony Calls", a reference to prank calls, on the 1996 album Bad Hair Day.

TLC performed this song on MTV's 20th Anniversary in August 2001, TLC's final performance before Left Eye's death.

Critical reception

"Waterfalls" was listed 5th on The Village Voice's 1995 Pazz & Jop critics' poll. It was also ranked 13th in VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years and 8th on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s.

In 1996 the song was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Track listings

International CD Single

1. "Waterfalls" (Single Version) - 4:18
2. "Waterfalls" (ONP Remix) - 4:36
3. "Waterfalls" (DARP Remix) - 4:28
4. "Waterfalls" (Instrumental) - 4:39

2001 US Re-Release CD Single

1. "Waterfalls" (Single Edit) - 4:18
2. "Waterfalls" (DARP Remix) - 4:28
3. "Waterfalls" (Instrumental) - 4:42
4. "Waterfalls" (ONP Remix) - 4:35
5. "Waterfalls" (ONP Instrumental) - 4:37
6. "Waterfalls" (Album Version) - 4:39

Certifications

Charts

Notes

References

• The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits (fifth edition)