TLC "Waterfalls" - analysis please

[Carl]

I was surprised we don't have Songfacts for this one. Can anyone give a breakdown on this song?

Thanks,

Carl

[Tenacious_Peaches]

Waterfalls

TLC

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 knows how

Another body laying cold in the gutter

Listen to me

Chorus:

Don't go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and 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

3 letters took him to his final resting place

Y'all don't hear me

Chorus

[rap]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

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[/rap]

"Chasing waterfalls" is TLC's way of expressing how people chase intangible dreams with no thought of the consequences.

The first verse is talking about an inner city mother and son relationship. He is chasing "waterfalls" i.e. money and respect by dealing drugs, but his mother knows this can only lead to a bad end.

The second verse is talking about a man's relationship with a woman. His "waterfall" is casual sex. The lyrics say that he has a "natural obsession for temptation"...I take this as either he is cheating on someone or the woman he is seeing is cheating on someone. Either way, he contracts HIV and dies ("three letters took him to his final resting place"). TLC were big on AIDS awareness...Left Eye would often wear condoms attached to her clothes and in her glasses to promote safe sex.

[Carl]

Excellent. This is a powerful song, it will be great to have it on Songfacts. Thanks Peaches.

[SoulGirl]

i agree with peaches' analysis. for me the image of the waterfall is like something the boy is attracted to but since it's moving water he can't catch hold of it. so the waterfall (i.e. drug money, women as peaches said) won't provide him with the security he needs to survive.