Waterfalls -- TLC

"Waterfalls," by TLC

Released: 1995

Song sentiment: Do not take risks.

Original lyrics in blue
Analyzed lyrics in black

VERSE 1

A lonely mother gazing out of the 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.

A woman who depends on others' companionship but lacks it gazes through a hole in a wall and looks squarely at the fellow she bore. He is farther away from her than her arm can stretch. Were he to land in a predicament, she would place her body next to his, however he is ignorant of the causal relationship between his behavior and her pain. Repeatedly directing telepathic wishes toward a supreme being has been entirely ineffective, evidenced in his inability to follow societal rules. Therefore, he participates in activities that he believes most efficiently create value, resulting in at least two chilly corpses resting on the side of the road where rain flows. Pay attention to what I say.

CHORUS

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.

Refrain from engaging in a foot pursuit of stationary, naturally occurring constant flows of water cascading off the sides of hardened mineral formations. Instead, I politely encourage you to glue yourself to two other bodies of water with which you are more accustomed: wide flows on the ground, and stagnant large pools at which people fish. I am aware that you are unyielding about having circumstances meet your preferences. However, your velocity is excessive, in my opinion.

VERSE 2

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. Three letters took him to his final resting place. Y'all don't hear me.

A small child deals with an innate, unhealthy fixation on desire for that which may be unhealthy. However, he is blind. A woman provides him with physical affection that he enjoys, and his reply is simply to flatter her. On one occasion, he quickly notices his reflection in a shiny object designed for looking at oneself. However, the human image he sees does not appear to resemble the way he recalls looking. He is becoming increasingly ill but does not know the cause. He died of HIV. I am not loud enough.

(CHORUS)

RAP

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 grey, 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 with such an endurin' pain that it keeps 'em in the pouring rain. Who's to blame for shootin' caine into you're own vein? What a shame, you shoot and aim for someone else's brain. You claim to be 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.

My eyes recently detected a semicircular band of colors in the sky. However, abundant bouts of violent precipitation have transpired, resulting in no sunshine. Is the weather a result of a decuplet of hue-less levels of darkness? I send psychic requests to God that this gray-level spectrum will slowly vanish. I rarely compliment God for the cloudless days that I just said do not happen. In the same way that the omniscient superpower makes a valid personal guarantee, my unverifiable belief system is the sole means by which I can alter the repurcussions of missed opportunities to improve myself. Cloudless, caveat-free atmospheres caused the salty liquid borne from my tear ducts to evaporate; I shall never again weep due to unpleasant feelings of solitude. I have hopes for those who cannot handle the type of sustained discomfort that prevents them from finding shelter amidst heavy precipitation. Whose fault is it that you injected cocaine into your bloodstream? It is too bad that you pointed a gun at an individual's head and fired. You contend that you are psychologically unhealthy and identify this date as the one on which criminal activity preyed upon you. In my opinion, the methods by which our justice system functions have reduced the amount of responsibility you take for yourself. The images you conjure while sleeping are goals that are terribly unlikely to be met, but ones that you nevertheless strive toward. Have confidence. Beyond that, all other circumstances are under our direct control.

(CHORUS)