“Waterfalls” was written by Marqueze Etheridge, Lisa Lopes, and Organized Noise and was released on TLC’s album CrazySexyCool.

The song earned the group two nominations at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in 1996.

Fun Facts: 

• Tione Watkins, Lisa Lopes, and Rozonda Thomas formed TLC in 1991. Crystal Jones, a teenage artist who initially invented the concept of the band, was replaced by Thomas before the first recording contract was signed.
• The group’s first album was titled Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip  and had three songs hit the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.
• “Waterfalls” peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
• The music video for “Waterfalls,” which had a million-dollar budget, also won TLC four MTV Video Music Awards.
• The song’s lyrics addressed pressing issues in the 1990s, including street violence, illegal drugs, and HIV/AIDS.
• “Waterfalls” has been used in numerous movies and TV shows, including “Scream Queens,” “Captain Marvel,” and “Little Fires Everywhere.”
• In 2017, Billboard included the song in its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. Buzzfeed also mentioned “Waterfalls” in its collection of The 50 Best 90s Songs of Summer.
• The song has been certified as Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
• “Waterfalls” has also been covered by other artists, such as Bette Midler and Stooshe.
• Original TLC member Lisa Lopes died in a car accident in 2002. Surviving members Tione Watkins and Rozonda Thomas still perform as TLC, vowing never to replace Lisa with another member.

Lyrics 

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 a 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