Waterfalls (TLC song)

Last updated

"Waterfalls"
Waterfalls by TLC US CD maxi-single.jpg
Single by TLC
from the album CrazySexyCool
ReleasedMay 1995 (US)
July 1995 (UK)
Genre
Length4:40 (album version)
4:19 (single edit)
3:32 (no rap edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Organized Noize
TLC singles chronology
"Red Light Special"
(1995)		"Waterfalls"
(1995)		"Diggin' on You"
(1995)
Music video
"Waterfalls" on YouTube

"Waterfalls" is a song by American hip-hop group TLC, released by LaFace and Arista as the third single from their second album, CrazySexyCool (1994), in May 1995 in the United States, followed by a United Kingdom release on July 24, 1995. [4]

Contents

Often considered one of the group's signature songs, [5] [6] along with "No Scrubs", "Waterfalls" was an international hit, topping the charts in many countries. The song spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the group their second US No. 1; it was the No. 2 song of the year on the Billboard 1995 year-end chart. "Waterfalls" also peaked at No. 1 in New Zealand, Switzerland and Zimbabwe while reaching the top 10 in several other countries, including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. "Waterfalls" received critical acclaim, earning two Grammy nominations at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in 1996 for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

The song addresses the illegal drug trade, promiscuity, and HIV/AIDS. Jarett E. Nolan of BMG noted that "Waterfalls" was the first number-one song to refer to AIDS in one of its verses. [7] The song's music video, directed by F. Gary Gray, reflected its socially conscious lyrics via a million-dollar budget and became an MTV staple that boosted the song's success, staying atop the MTV Video Monitor chart for over a month (and making TLC the first act to do so) and winning four MTV Video Music Awards in 1995, including Video of the Year (making them the first African-American act to receive the trophy).

Background

"Waterfalls" is an R&B song, [1] written by TLC band member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes with Marqueze Etheridge and Organized Noize, who also produced the song. Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins perform the song with Lopes, who also provides a rap verse (which is removed from some edits). The members of TLC, as well as Debra Killings and Cee-Lo Green, provide background vocals, while the improvised bass line is provided by LaMarquis "ReMarqable" Jefferson. [8] [9] [10] Of Green's involvement, Watkins noted, "He was in Goodie Mob, we grew up together, we go way back. He (sang on the track) and it was amazing! I love his voice." [11] Green later recalled to The Guardian on March 22, 2008, "I was working at the same studio and of course I know the girls too, because we were on the same label, so they just asked me. I didn't realize at the time what a big song it was going to be." [12] [6]

The song's lyrics refer to 1990s issues such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and violence associated with the illegal drug trade. [13] Watkins said that it was important for the group to "get the message across without seeming like preaching." [14]

The TLC song shares elements with Paul McCartney's song of the same name, which opens with the line "Don't go jumping waterfalls, please keep to the lake." McCartney himself noted the resemblance, stating "In fact, somebody had a hit, a few years ago, using the first line...then they go off into another song. It's like, 'Excuse me?'" [15]

Lopes' rap expresses personal problems that she was dealing with at the time. She had a very turbulent relationship with Atlanta Falcons football player Andre Rison, and on June 9, 1994, she burned numerous pairs of Rison's newly purchased tennis shoes in his fiberglass bathtub, which set his entire $2 million mansion ablaze. She pled guilty to arson and was sentenced to five years of probation and a $10,000 fine, but eventually reconciled with Rison. [12]

Critical reception

"Waterfalls" received universal critical acclaim from music critics. J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun described it as "tuneful and intoxicating". [16] Entertainment Weekly viewed it as a "Prince-inspired ballad" that "hint[s] at the artistic greatness TLC might achieve if freed from commercial concerns". [17] Simon Price from Melody Maker felt the song "is worthy of the symbolic sex dwarf himself." [18] In a separate review, Price named it Single of the Week, writing, "'Waterfalls' is nothing we haven't already heard in 'Sign O' the Times' or 'The Message': a cautionary, moral tale about a bad livin' young brother who upsets his mom by gangbanging and ends up with Aids, and personally, I left all that behind with Aesop's fables. I'm more interested in the sonics here, the opulent Paisley Park-ish production, the way the freeze-dried, shrink-wrapped street soul beats are wickedly at odds with T-Boz's languorous, husky vocals and Left Eye and Chilli's river-of-clear-honey harmonics." [19] A reviewer from Music Week gave it four out of five, calling it "yet another radio-friendly hit", remarking that "TLC swap wackiness for a more mature affair". [20]

James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update deemed it a "slinkily croaking and cooing girls' US smash rolling slow sombrely worded message song". [21] Charles Aaron from Spin described it as "a Princely cautionary groove, in which pop's most intriguing trio offers a more harshly vivid portrait—that of a loved one (who should have known better) gone wanna-be dopeman. When T-Boz croons, "She gives him loving that his body can't handle / But all he can say is baby it's good to me", her resigned frustration is palpable. And every time Left Eye raps, "Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of comin' true", I wince a little." [22] Nigel Butler of Sputnikmusic compared it to esteemed artists such as Sly and the Family Stone, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. [23] Butler wrote, "The arrangement and instrumentation is absolutely fantastic - if a bunch of great melodies had an orgy, the result would something a little like this - and the lyrics are the best on an album that maintains a shockingly high standard of songwriting. Left-Eye drops the album's best rap on this track too." [23]

The song was nominated for two Grammys at the 1996 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal . Billboard named it No. 11 on their list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time". [24] 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 1990s". [25] In 2010, Billboard awarded the song the top position of summer songs in 1995.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Waterfalls", directed by American director and producer F. Gary Gray and filmed at Universal Studios Hollywood from June 8–9, 1995, visualizes the two verses of the song, particularly during extended instrumental breaks after each verse:

The video also intercuts scenes of liquefied versions of TLC performing to the song while standing atop an ocean and performing in front of a real waterfall. Watkins later admitted that filming the group's scenes atop an ocean was very frightening, as they were standing on an unstable plastic platform and she was unable to swim; [26] she recalled, "I thought I was gonna fall in. That’s why my feet are planted wide and still. You never see my feet move ever. You couldn’t move to the front or back, you could only go side to side." The numerous computer-generated effects were created by the visual design company Homer & Associates, which used motion capture technology to generate the images. The company used the same technique in their previous work on the video for "Steam" by Peter Gabriel and in the 1992 movie The Lawnmower Man . [12]

In an interview with Billboard in 2021, Thomas explained that when discussing the video with Gray, she imagined the trio performing as water spirits, similar to the 1989 James Cameron movie The Abyss ; Watkins conceptualized the storylines described in the verses, while Lopes pictured the trio traversing through outer space, passing planets before arriving on Earth; Gray modified Lopes' idea to show the trio coming straight from the sky. [12] [27]

As Clive Davis, the president of Arista at the time, initially disliked the song, [26] TLC had to force their mentor L.A. Reid to convince Davis to allow release as a single and promotion for the song as well as the budget for the music video; [12] [14] the video went on to win four awards at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards: Video of the Year, Best Group Video, Best R&B Video, and the Viewer's Choice Award. Watkins stated in retrospect that the "video spoke for a whole epidemic." [11]

Live performances

The song was performed at many awards shows, including the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards and the 1996 Grammy Awards. The group performed "Waterfalls" at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards wearing black tops and silver pants. The performance "was theatrical and kept true to the lyrical story." [28] They also performed the song at MTV's 20th Anniversary on August 1, 2001, making it Left Eye's final performance with the group before her death. In September 1995, TLC performed "Waterfalls" in a medley with "Creep" and "Diggin' on You" on the British TV chart show Top of the Pops , aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom.

Remaining members T-Boz and Chilli performed the song along with Alicia Keys and fellow girl groups En Vogue and SWV at the 2008 BET Awards. Thomas and Watkins appeared on Good Morning America on October 15, 2013, to perform the song during promotion for the greatest hits 20 and the VH1 biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story . [29]

On November 24, 2013, TLC performed at the 2013 American Music Awards with special guest Lil Mama, who performed Left Eye's rap as a tribute to her.

Legacy

In December 1995, NME ranked "Waterfalls" number 10 in their list of "NME Writers' Top 50 Singles of 1995". [30] About.com included it in their ranking of "The Best 100 Songs From the 1990s" in 2019. Bill Lamb stated that "slinky, gently insistent backing horns and guitar combine with smooth, languid vocals to create an instant R&B classic." He also felt that the song is "a disturbing commentary on street violence and its impact on the lives of young black men." [31] Same year, Daryl McIntosh from Albumism said it is "a rare example of perfect production, poignant songwriting, and flawless vocal delivery." McIntosh added, "The lyrics offer cautionary tales of the allure of street life and uncontrolled sexual exploration. Interwoven by the melodic chorus". [32] AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that "Waterfalls, "with its gently insistent horns and guitar lines and instantly memorable chorus, ... ranks as one of the classic R&B songs of the '90s." [33] Christine Werthman from Complex wrote that it "is drenched in water-droplet synth notes, live drums, rising horns, and a bass line that walks wherever it pleases." She noted that "it's a heavy song, but the warnings in the verses are buoyed by a rich, singable chorus, which certainly helped it get radio play." [34]

Jeff Benjamin of Fuse felt that the track was "far more than just another pop hit: The track told a cautionary tale of HIV and AIDS, and its video depicted a man who didn't wear a condom with his girlfriend and later watched his body degenerate in the mirror." [11] Sputnikmusic's Butler asserted that "any list of the best singles of the 90s that does not include this in the top 15 — at least — is among the worst lists ever written." [23] Australian music channel Max placed the song at No. 196 on their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2012. [35] In 2017, Paste ranked the song number two on their list of the 10 greatest TLC songs, [36] and in 2022, The Guardian ranked the song number one on their list of the 20 greatest TLC songs. [37] In October 2023, Billboard magazine ranked it among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time". [3]

After Lopes' tragic death in a car crash in La Ceiba, Honduras on April 25, 2002, the lyrics to her verse were engraved upon her casket. [12]

Accolades

YearPublisherCountryAccoladeRank
1995 NME United Kingdom"NME Writers' Top 50 Singles of 1995" [30] 10
1995 Spin United States"The 20 Best Singles of 1995" [38] 3 (with "Creep")
2005 Blender United States"The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" [39] 415
2005Bruce PollockUnited States"The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944-2000" [40] *
2012 Complex United States"The Best 90s R&B Songs"40
2012 Max Australia"1000 Greatest Songs of All Time"196
2012PorcysPoland"100 Singli 1990-1999" [41] 42
2015Robert DimeryUnited States"1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and 10,001 You Must Download (2015 Update)" [42] *
2017 Billboard United States"100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time"10
2019BillboardUnited States"Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s" [43] 29
2020 Cleveland.com United States"Best Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Song of the 1990s" [44] 2
2020 Glamour United States"53 Best ’90s Songs That Are All That and a Bag of Chips" [45] 37
2021 BuzzFeed United States"The 50 Best '90s Songs of Summer" [46] 3
2021 Rolling Stone United States"500 Greatest Songs of All Time" [47] 127
2022 Time Out United States"50 Best '90s Songs" [48] 10
2023BillboardUnited States"Best Pop Songs of All Time" [3] 267
2024 Forbes United States"The 50 Best Songs of the 1990s" [49] 7
2024Time OutUnited States"50 Best '90s Songs" [50] 5

(*) indicates the list is unordered.

Awards

YearOrganizationAwardResult
1995 MTV Europe Music Award Best Song Nominated
MTV Video Music Award Video of the Year Won
Best Group Video Won
Best R&B Video Won
Best Direction Nominated
Best Visual Effects Nominated
Best Art Direction Nominated
Best Editing Nominated
Best Cinematography Nominated
Viewer's Choice Won
Breakthrough Video Nominated
1996 Grammy Award Record of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards Best Song of the Year Nominated
Best Video of the Year Won
Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo Won
1996 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Music Video Won

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [114] Platinum70,000^
Canada (Music Canada) [117] Platinum80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [118] Gold45,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [119] Gold250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [120] Platinum10,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway) [121] Platinum 
United Kingdom (BPI) [122] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [123] Platinum1,200,000 [124]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesMay 22, 1995
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 LaFace [ citation needed ]
SwedenJuly 10, 1995CD
 [125]
JapanJuly 21, 1995LaFace [126]
United KingdomJuly 24, 1995
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
  • LaFace
  • Arista
 [4]

Bette Midler version

"Waterfalls"
Single by Bette Midler
from the album It's The Girls!
ReleasedJanuary 21, 2015
Genre Pop
Length3:23
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Bette Midler singles chronology
"Be My Baby"
(2014)		"Waterfalls"
(2015)		"One Fine Day"
(2014)

"Waterfalls" was recorded by singer and actress Bette Midler for her fourteenth album, It's The Girls! (2014). The track was made into a ballad and has a much slower tempo and its production is stripped down with a piano and a soft drum beat echoing in the background. Midler's cover does not include the rap part of the song.

Stooshe Version

British girl band Stooshe recorded “Waterfalls” in November 2012. The band turned the track's rap, performed by Lisa Lopes, into a three-part harmony. A music video was released alongside the recording, which included a cameo from the two surviving members of TLC, Rozonda Thomas and Tionne Watkins. [127] The music video featured Stooshe in a warehouse, standing on the top of a stage made of graffitied scaffolding. A group of modern and breakdancers performed below, acting out the storyline of the lyrics. Coloured water was used during the music video, and was sprayed over the set and dancers during the chorus of the song. Green Screen technology was also used on some of the lower scaffolding, to make it look like the graffiti was moving. [128] Stooshe later “disowned” their cover of Waterfalls, claiming that recording their version of the song wasn’t their decision, and “wasn’t supposed to happen.” [129]

The song was referred to in the film The Other Guys as one of many references to songs by TLC made by one of the characters. Thomas and Watkins rerecorded "Waterfalls" with Japanese pop and R&B singer Namie Amuro in 2013 for the song's twentieth anniversary. [130] The song peaked at No. 12 on Japan's Hot 100 chart. That same year, the song was referred to in the film We're the Millers as Will Poulter performs Lopes's rap. [131] The song also appears in the film's end credits. In 2015, the horror-comedy show Scream Queens featured the song in the pilot and is referred to numerous times in other episodes. It appears in the 2019 Marvel Studios film Captain Marvel , which is set in 1995, [132] and in the 2009 film Couples Retreat . [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MMMBop</span> 1997 single by Hanson

"MMMBop" is a song written and performed by American pop rock band Hanson. It was released on April 15, 1997 by Mercury Records, as the lead single from their first full-length studio album, Middle of Nowhere (1997). The song is the band's most successful single to date and was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. "MMMBop" was a major success worldwide, reaching number one in at least 12 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Its music video was directed by Tamra Davis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Holly (song)</span> 1994 single by Weezer

"Buddy Holly" is a song by the American rock band Weezer. The song was written by Rivers Cuomo and released by DGC as the second single from the band's debut album, Weezer (1994). The lyrics reference the song's namesake, 1950s rock-and-roll singer Buddy Holly, and actress Mary Tyler Moore. Released on September 7, 1994—which would have been Holly's 58th birthday—the song reached number two on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. Outside the US, the song peaked at number six in Canada, number 12 in the United Kingdom, number 13 in Iceland, and number 14 in Sweden. The song's music video, which features footage from Happy Days and was directed by Spike Jonze, earned considerable exposure when it was included as a bonus media file in Microsoft's initial successful release of the operating system Windows 95.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Rain</span> 1993 single by Blind Melon

"No Rain" is a song by American rock band Blind Melon. It was released in 1993 as the second single from the band's debut album Blind Melon. The song is well known for its accompanying music video, which features the "Bee Girl" character. The music video, directed by Samuel Bayer, received heavy airplay on MTV at the time of its release. It subsequently helped propel Blind Melon to multi-platinum level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sign (song)</span> 1993 single by Ace of Base

"The Sign" is a song by Swedish group Ace of Base from their first North American studio album, The Sign (1993), and their re-released debut studio album, Happy Nation (1992), titled Happy Nation . The song was released by Arista and Mega as a single in Europe on 1 November 1993 and the US on 14 December 1993. It was written by band member Jonas Berggren, who also produced the song with Denniz Pop and Douglas Carr. "The Sign" is a techno-reggae, Europop, and pop ballad with lyrics describing a couple contemplating the state of their relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantasy (Mariah Carey song)</span> 1995 single by Mariah Carey

"Fantasy" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on August 23, 1995, by Columbia Records as the lead single from her fifth album, Daydream (1995). The track was written and produced by Carey and Dave Hall. It samples Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Genius of Love". The lyrics describe a woman who is in love with a man, and how every time she sees him she starts fantasizing about an impossible relationship with him. The remix for the song features rap verses from Ol' Dirty Bastard, something Carey arranged to assist in her crossover into the hip-hop market and credited for introducing R&B and hip hop collaboration into mainstream pop culture, and for popularizing rap as a featuring act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Diggity</span> 1996 single by Blackstreet

No Diggity is a song by American R&B group Blackstreet, serving as the first single from their second studio album, Another Level (1996). Featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen, the song was released on July 29, 1996, by Interscope. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in Iceland and New Zealand. The song ended "Macarena's" 14-week reign at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number nine. "No Diggity" was the final number-one single of Cash Box magazine. The track sold 1.6 million copies in 1996 and won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It includes samples from Bill Withers's "Grandma's Hands". The music video for the song was directed by Hype Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Scrubs</span> 1999 single by TLC

"No Scrubs" is a song recorded by American girl group TLC as the lead single from their third studio album, FanMail, released on February 2, 1999, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The song was written by producer Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, former Xscape members Kandi Burruss and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. The song lyrics describe the role of a man in a relationship. Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas sings the lead vocals for the first time on a TLC single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creep (TLC song)</span> 1994 single by TLC

"Creep" is a song recorded by American singing group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Dallas Austin, who tried to write the track from a "female perspective", wrote and produced it. It is based on member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins's experience with infidelity. The lyrics portray the singers as women who cheat on their unfaithful lovers for "some affection". This context was controversial within the group, and strongly opposed by member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who threatened to wear black tape over her mouth on its accompanying music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here Comes the Hotstepper</span> 1994 single by Ini Kamoze

"Here Comes the Hotstepper" is a song co-written and recorded by Jamaican dancehall artist Ini Kamoze. It was released in 1994 by Columbia Records as the lead single from his 1995 album of the same name as well as the soundtrack to the film Prêt-à-Porter. It is known for its "naaaa na na na naaaa..." chorus inspired by the Cannibal and the Headhunters version of "Land of 1000 Dances".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Believe (Cher song)</span> 1998 single by Cher

"Believe" is a song by the American singer Cher, from her 22nd studio album, Believe (1998). It was released as the lead single on October 19, 1998, by Warner Bros. Records. After circulating for months, a demo written by Brian Higgins, Matthew Gray, Stuart McLennen and Timothy Powell, was submitted to Warner's chairman, Rob Dickins, while he was scouting for songs to include on Cher's new album. Aside from the chorus, Dickins was not impressed by the track so he enlisted two more writers, Steve Torch and Paul Barry to complete it. Cher contributed some lyrics but received no songwriting credit. Recording took place at Dreamhouse Studio in West London, while production was handled by Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Headlight</span> 1997 single by the Wallflowers

"One Headlight" is a song by American rock band the Wallflowers. The song was written by lead singer Jakob Dylan, and produced by T Bone Burnett. It was released in January 1997 as the second single from the band's second studio album, Bringing Down the Horse (1996).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unpretty</span> 1999 single by TLC

"Unpretty" is a song by American group TLC, released on May 17, 1999, through LaFace and Arista Records as the second single from the band's third studio album, FanMail. It was written by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and producer Dallas Austin. Watkins had written a poem to express her disgust over an episode of Ricki Lake, and Austin helped her adapt it into the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fade into You</span> 1994 single by Mazzy Star

"Fade into You" is a song by American alternative rock band Mazzy Star from their second studio album, So Tonight That I Might See (1993). The song was written by lyricist Hope Sandoval and composer David Roback, who also served as producer. The song reached number three on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1994 and is Mazzy Star's only single to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 44. The song also charted at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart and number three in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twisted (Keith Sweat song)</span> 1996 single by Keith Sweat

"Twisted" is a song by American singer Keith Sweat, released as a single in June 1996. It was the first song released from his self-titled fifth album. R&B group Kut Klose and remix rapper Pretty Russ are also featured on the song. The radio version of "Twisted" omits Pretty Russ' rap before the final chorus, though some urban stations kept the rap verse. A second mix of the song, referred to as the Flavahood Sexual remix, features a different backbeat sampled from Marvin Gaye's song "Sexual Healing". "Flavahood" also saw significant airplay on radio but was never released on an album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water Runs Dry</span> 1995 single by Boyz II Men

"Water Runs Dry" is a song by American vocal harmony group Boyz II Men, written and produced by Babyface. The single, the fourth released from the album II, reached number two in the United States and number four in Canada. It also contains a version of the group's previous number one hit from the same album, "I'll Make Love to You". A Spanish version, "No dejemos que muera el amor", was also recorded and peaked at number 10 on the US Latin Pop Airplay chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barely Breathing</span> 1996 single by Duncan Sheik

"Barely Breathing" is a song by American singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik from his eponymous debut studio album (1996). It was released as the lead single from the album on May 3, 1996, by Atlantic Records. Sheik is the sole writer of the song, while production was helmed by Rupert Hine. The song became a chart hit in North America in early 1997, receiving several accolades in the years following its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Light Special</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Red Light Special" is a song by American vocal girl group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Written and produced by Babyface, LaFace and Arista Records released the song as the second single from the album on February 17, 1995. The song achieved chart success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Matthew Rolston filmed its music video, which features the group performing in a brothel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diggin' on You</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Diggin' on You" is a song by American girl group TLC, from the group's second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). The song was written and produced by Babyface. It was released by LaFace and Arista Records on October 10, 1995, as the fourth and final single from their album. A pop ballad, the song consists of a guitar, synthesizer and drum machine. The lyrics depict a relationship between a male and female during a summer afternoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Were Meant for Me (Jewel song)</span> 1996 single by Jewel

"You Were Meant for Me" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Jewel, released on her first album, Pieces of You (1995). It was written by Jewel and Steve Poltz. It describes a failed relationship and the narrator's inadequate attempts at moving on with her life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody Knows (Tony Rich song)</span> 1995 single by Tony Rich

"Nobody Knows" is a song by R&B singer Tony Rich from his 1996 debut album, Words. Released as his debut single on November 7, 1995, the song peaked at number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. It also became a hit in several other countries, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching number two in Australia and Canada, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. Rich received a nomination for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

References

  1. 1 2 Werthman, Christine (August 1, 2017). "The Best 90s R&B Songs". Complex . Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  2. ↑ "TLC's 'CrazySexyCool' at 20: Classic Track-by-Track Album Review". Billboard. November 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard . October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . July 22, 1995. p. 31.
  5. ↑ Sanchez, Charles (August 11, 2023). "Almost 30 Years Later, Discovering the Power of TLC's 'Waterfalls'". TheBody . Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Walthall, Catherine (March 18, 2022). "The Meaning Behind TLC's "Waterfalls"". American Songwriter. Nashville, Tennessee: Savage Media Holdings. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Billboard". August 12, 1995 – via Google Books.
  8. ↑ www.basslessons.be (March 18, 2018). "TLC - Waterfalls".
  9. ↑ Zappa, Pedro (July 19, 2016). "TLC - Waterfalls (Bass Cover) [Pedro Zappa]".
  10. ↑ "TLC "Waterfalls" bassist?". Talkbass.com. September 14, 2004.
  11. 1 2 3 Benjamin, Jeff (October 22, 2013). "TLC Reflect on No. 1 Hit "Waterfalls," Detail Cee Lo's Involvement". Fuse . The Madison Square Garden Company . Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Waterfalls by TLC". Songfacts. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ Peck, Jamie (June 17, 2011). "Flashback Friday: TLC, 'Waterfalls'". MTV Buzzworthy . Viacom. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  14. 1 2 Lambe, Stacy (October 23, 2013). "Behind The Song: TLC's "Waterfalls" + "No Scrubs" + "Unpretty"". VH1 . Viacom. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  15. ↑ Siegal, Robert (June 27, 2007). "Paul McCartney". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  16. ↑ Considine, J.D. (April 7, 1995). "Books & Music: Album Reviews". The Baltimore Sun . p. MW2. Retrieved January 7, 2023– via Bangor Daily News.[ permanent dead link ]
  17. ↑ "Music Review: 'CrazySexyCool'". Entertainment Weekly . November 18, 1994. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  18. ↑ Price, Simon (May 13, 1995). "Albums". Melody Maker . p. 38. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  19. ↑ Price, Simon (June 24, 1995). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 34. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . July 8, 1995. p. 10. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  21. ↑ Hamilton, James (August 5, 1995). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  22. ↑ Aaron, Charles (October 1995). "Singles". Spin . p. 122. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 Butler, Nick (June 26, 2005). "Review: TLC – CrazySexyCool". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  24. ↑ "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Breaking News – VH1's '100 Greatest Songs of the 90s' Grunges Up as Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' Takes the No. 1 Spot". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  26. 1 2 Breihan, Tom (March 25, 2022). "The Number Ones: TLC's "Waterfalls"". Stereogum . Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  27. ↑ "TLC Talk CrazySexyCool Celebration Tour and Remember Filming Iconic 'Waterfalls' Video: 'I Was So Scared'". Billboard . August 16, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  28. ↑ "MTV Movie Awards Performances: TLC, 'Waterfalls'". MTV . Viacom. May 28, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  29. ↑ Hayner, Chris (October 15, 2013). "TLC performs 'Waterfalls', other hits on 'Good Morning America'". Zap2it . Tribune Media Services . Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  30. 1 2 "One Cup: NME Writers' Top 50 Singles". NME . December 23, 1995. p. 25. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  31. ↑ Lamb, Bill (September 7, 2019). "The Best 100 Songs From the 1990s". About.com . Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  32. ↑ McIntosh, Daryl (November 14, 2019). "TLC's 'CrazySexyCool' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  33. ↑ "CrazySexyCool – TLC". AllMusic . All Media Network. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  34. ↑ Werthman, Christine (October 8, 2019). "The Best 90s R&B Songs". Complex . Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Top 1000 Greatest Songs Of All Time – 2012". Max. 2012. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  36. ↑ O'Brien, Jon (June 30, 2017). "The 10 Best TLC Songs". Paste . Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  37. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (February 24, 2022). "TLC's 20 greatest songs - ranked!". The Guardian . Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Spin Magazine End Of Year Lists". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  39. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". Blender . October 2005. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  40. ↑ Pollock, Bruce (2005). The Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs of the Rock and Roll Era (2nd ed.). Routledge. ISBN   0-415-97073-3.
  41. ↑ "100 Singli 1990-1999". Porcys (in Polish). August 20, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  42. ↑ Dimery, Robert (2010). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. Cassell. ISBN   978-1-84403-684-4.
  43. ↑ "Greatest of All Time: Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard . 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  44. ↑ Smith, Tony L. (October 21, 2020). "Every No. 1 song of the 1990s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com . Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  45. ↑ Moeslein, Anna (March 31, 2020). "53 Best '90s Songs That Are All That and a Bag of Chips". Glamour . Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  46. ↑ Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (June 29, 2021). "The 50 Best '90s Songs Of Summer". BuzzFeed . Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  47. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . September 15, 2021.
  48. ↑ "50 Best '90s Songs". Time Out . March 3, 2022.
  49. ↑ McIntyre, Hugh (March 9, 2024). "The 50 Best Songs Of The 1990s". Forbes . Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  50. ↑ "50 Best '90s Songs". Time Out . September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  51. ↑ Waterfalls (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). TLC. LaFace Records. 1995. 73008-24107-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  52. ↑ Waterfalls (US cassette single sleeve). TLC. LaFace Records. 1995. 73008-24107-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  53. ↑ Waterfalls (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). TLC. LaFace Records. 1995. 73008-24108-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  54. ↑ Waterfalls (US CD single liner notes). TLC. LaFace Records. 1995. 73008-24108-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  55. ↑ Waterfalls (Australian CD single liner notes). TLC. LaFace Records. 1995. 73008241082.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  56. ↑ Waterfalls (Japanese CD single liner notes). TLC. LaFace Records. 1995. BVCA-8804.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  57. ↑ Waterfalls (UK CD single liner notes). TLC. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1995. 74321 29881 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  58. ↑ Waterfalls (UK 12-inch single sleeve). TLC. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1995. 74321 29881 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  59. ↑ Waterfalls (UK cassette single sleeve). TLC. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1995. 74321 29881 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  60. ↑ Waterfalls (European CD single liner notes). TLC. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1995. 74321 29569 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  61. ↑ Waterfalls (Australian cassette single sleeve). TLC. LaFace Records. 1995. 73008241084.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  62. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  63. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  64. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  65. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  66. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2742." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  67. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2769." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  68. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2744." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  69. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard. October 21, 1995. p. 57. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  70. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 42. October 21, 1995. p. 23. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  71. ↑ "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 42. October 21, 1995. p. 26. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  72. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls" (in French). Les classement single.
  73. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  74. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (12.8.1995 – 18.8.1995)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). August 12, 1995. p. 20. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  75. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Waterfalls". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  76. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  77. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  78. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls". Top 40 Singles.
  79. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls". VG-lista.
  80. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  81. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls". Singles Top 100.
  82. ↑ "TLC – Waterfalls". Swiss Singles Chart.
  83. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  84. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  85. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  86. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  87. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  88. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  89. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  90. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  91. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  92. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  93. ↑
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  94. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  95. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1995". ARIA . Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  96. ↑ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop . Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  97. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. December 18, 1995. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  98. ↑ "RPM Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1995". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. December 18, 1995. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  99. ↑ "1995 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 12, no. 51/52. December 23, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  100. ↑ "1995 in Review: European Dance Radio 1995" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 12, no. 51/52. December 23, 1995. p. 23. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  101. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP . Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  102. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  103. ↑ "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1996. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  104. ↑ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  105. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1995" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  106. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1995". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  107. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  108. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1995" (in German). Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  109. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week . January 13, 1996. p. 9.
  110. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  111. ↑ "1995 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard . Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  112. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1995" (PDF). Airplay Monitor . Vol. 3, no. 51. December 15, 1995. p. 8. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  113. ↑ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1995" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 3, no. 51. December 15, 1995. p. 9. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  114. 1 2 "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1996". The Australian Record Industry Association Ltd. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  115. ↑ "Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-20. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  116. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  117. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – TLC – Waterfalls". Music Canada . Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  118. ↑ "Danish single certifications – TLC – Waterfalls". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  119. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (TLC; 'Waterfalls')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  120. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – TLC – Waterfalls". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  121. ↑ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  122. ↑ "British single certifications – TLC – Waterfalls". British Phonographic Industry.
  123. ↑ "American single certifications – TLC – Waterfalls". Recording Industry Association of America.
  124. ↑ Jeffrey, Don (January 20, 1996) (January 20, 1996). "Best-selling Records of 1995". Billboard . Retrieved January 5, 2014.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  125. ↑ "TLC: Waterfalls". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on February 22, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  126. ↑ "ウォーターフォールズ | TLC" [Waterfalls | TLC] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  127. ↑ Stooshe: Waterfalls (Music Video 2012) - IMDb . Retrieved October 7, 2024– via m.imdb.com.
  128. ↑ Stooshe (October 7, 2012). Stooshe - Waterfalls (Official Video) . Retrieved October 7, 2024– via YouTube.
  129. ↑ "Stooshe drop 'Waterfalls' from album". Digital Spy. April 3, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  130. ↑ Campbell, Nigel (June 14, 2013). "Heart It Or Hate It: TLC Re-Record Iconic 'Waterfalls' Track With Namie Amuro". Instinct . Instinct Publishing Inc. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  131. ↑ Angermiller, Michele Amabile (August 26, 2013). "TLC on 'We're the Millers' Use of 'Waterfalls': 'It Warmed My Heart' The group TLC reunited and performed it for the 2013 American Music Awards with Lil' Mama". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  132. ↑ Shepherd, Jack (March 9, 2019). "Captain Marvel soundtrack: All the 90s songs featured in MCU film starring Brie Larson". The Independent. Retrieved March 23, 2019.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.