TLC and the exquisite Waterfalls

TLC – Waterfalls – Video

Introduction

On May 29, 1995, TLC released the single Waterfalls. The story of a beautiful song and worldwide hit that had substance and contained great music.

TLC

In 1990 the girl group 2nd Nature was founded by Crystal Jones. Following an ad, the group welcomed Tionne Watkins and Lisa Lopes. After an introductory talk with Pebbitone, a production/management company owned by singer Perri “Pebbles” Reid, the group auditioned for LaFace Records, a subsidiary of Arista Records. Next, the group was renamed to TLC, a combination of the first letters of the singers’ first names.

The Pebbitone/LaFace Records combination wasn’t too keen on founder Crystal Jones, so she was subsequently asked to leave/removed from the group and replaced by Rozonda Thomas. The deal with Pebbitone was signed and the members’ names were altered in order to maintain the TLC group name. Tionne Watkins became “T-Boz”, Lisa Lopes became “Left Eye” and Rozonda Thomas became “Chilli”. The record contract with LaFace Records was signed in May 1991.

TLC 1999 (vlnr: T-Boz, Left Eye, Chilli)

Image

TLC would soon grow out to be the biggest and most successful girl group of all time, only to be surpassed by the Spice Girls within a few years. To this day, TLC still is the most successful American girl group of all time. The group’s image plays a major part in that, as it enabled the public to identify with the group and its members.

The group didn’t fit the mold of what a ‘girl group’ and/or an R&B group was supposed to be. The group was heavily involved with the music, the lyrical subjects, cover design, tour design and video concepts. Left Eye in particular, was deeply involved with the overall image and lyrics.

And, TLC was also socially conscious and openly talked about AIDS, safe sex, condom use, drug (ab)use and drug related violence. They were very open about their personal issues, like addictions, relationships which did contain mental and physical abuse, but also their internal fights and quarrels. The group represented glamour as well as everyday problems.

TLC – Ooooooohhh… On The TLC Tip

Ooooooohhh… On The TLC Tip

On February 25, 1992, TLC’s debut album, Ooooooohhh… On The TLC Tip, was released. The combination of funk, hip-hop and R&B was a real killer. Both commercially and artistically the album was a resounding success. Next, the group recorded a couple of songs for other projects, among which a cover of The Time‘s Get It Up for the movie Poetic Justice, with leading actors Janet Jackson and 2-Pac. The choice for that song was no coincidence. TLC were huge Prince fans.

By the end of the tour the Pebbitone deal turned to be very smothering indeed. The TLC members had no money to show for the millions and millions of sales of the album and the accompanying highly successful tour. After renegotiations Pebbitone stepped back from its management role, but the financial change was minimal.

The private lives of the group members changed as well. T-Boz had desperately tried to keep her sickle cell anemia a secret, but while on tour she was hospitalized because of complications. The group members got into relationships, Chilli with TLC producer Dallas Austin, and Left Eye with American football player Andre Rison. That relationship was intense, violent and filled with alcohol. The couple lived together in Rison’s home. During a fight on June 9, 1994, Left Eye collected Rison’s shoes and set them on fire in the bathroom bathtub. This was made of fiberglass and melted, setting the entire house ablaze. Left Eye was arrested and sentenced to a 5 year probational sentence, a $10,000 fine and placement in rehab for her alcohol addiction. After the ordeal, the couple would maintain an on-again, off-again relationship.

TLC – CrazySexyCool

CrazySexyCool

When it was time to record the second TLC album, Left Eye was less involved, because of her mandatory rehab. She was granted to do some studio recordings, but her overall presence was cut down. On November 15, 1994, CrazySexyCool was released. It was an unprecedented success and made TLC the best-selling girl group of all time. Next to being extremely successful, CrazySexyCool also is a ridiculously good album. One of the best albums of the 1990s. The Prince link became more obvious, the music was clearly inspired by the Minneapolis genius, and the album also contained a cover of one of Prince‘s finest songs ever, If I Was Your Girlfriend.

The single Creep, preceding the album, was released on September 16, 1994 and was the group’s first number 1 single. On February 17, 1995, Red Light Special followed which ended up on number 2. On May 29, 1995, the third CrazySexyCool single was released. Europe and the UK followed two months later.

TLC – Waterfalls

Waterfalls

Waterfalls is written by Organized Noise (producer team, at the time best known for Outkast‘s debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik), Marquez Etheridge and Left Eye. It was Left Eye who brought the song to her fellow group members T-Boz and Chilli. The song’s lead vocals are done by T-Boz, aided by TLC, and Left Eye delivers her self-written rap. TLC also provide backing vocals, accompanied by Debra Killings and CeeLo Green

The release of both the single and the video was initially blocked by Clive Davis, head of Arista Records. He didn’t like the song, deemed it too difficult and refused to give the green light. TLC held their ground and secured the song’s release and a video through L.A. Reid, co-owner of LaFace Records.

TLC – Waterfalls – Video stills

Video

The video visualizes the song’s lyrics and portrays the consequences of drug trade, unprotected sex and HIV/AIDS. At the time the song was recorded AIDS was still a disease that resulted in death and was considered a taboo topic, especially in the US.

The video struck a nerve and brought the problems of the crack and AIDS epidemics into the living room of the average American households, in a confrontational, yet human and empathetic way. It was the right message at the exact right time.

The video utilized a couple of innovative computerized effects, like the TLC members morphing into and from transparent water nymphs.

The filming was nerve-wrecking for T-Boz.

I will never forget the day we filmed that video. I can’t swim. It was 6am and I’m on this little plastic thing in the middle of 80,000 tonnes of water, in the lake where they shot Jaws at Universal Studios. That’s why my feet are planted. I do not move. I was so worried about falling in.

T-Boz

TLC – Waterfalls video

Lyrics

The lyrics to Waterfalls are moving and is delivered with feeling by the group. The rap Left Eye performs was written in the car on her way to the rehab clinic.

Lyrically, the start of the chorus resembles the Paul McCartney song Waterfalls, stemming from his 1980 McCartney II album. McCartney sings “Don’t go jumping waterfalls / Please, keep to the lake”. The similarity ends there. Where McCartney focuses on “I need love”, TLC address drugs, crime and HIV/AIDS. T-Boz ends her verses with “Listen to me” and “Y’all don’t hear me”, the group has something to say.

The phrase “Three letters took him to his final resting place” is about HIV, the illness that ultimately leads to AIDS. It may be somewhat difficult to understand now, but at the time it was a bold move to address the disease, especially coming from a girl group.

Read the full Waterfalls lyrics below.

[Verse: T-Boz]
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

[Chorus: All]
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

[Verse: T-Boz]
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

[Chorus: All]
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

[Rap: Left Eye]
Come on!
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 tooting ‘caine into 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 coming true
Believe in yourself
The rest is up to me and you

[Chorus: All]
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

TLC – Waterfalls – Platinum award

Success

On July 8, 1995, the single reached the number 1 position in the American charts, and remained there for 7 weeks. The single is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for 1.2 million copies sold.

The song garnered a lot of awards:

• Video of the Year, Best Group Video, Best R&B Video and the Viewer’s Choice at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1995
• Best Video of the Year, Best R&B/Soul Single – Group Band or Duo at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1996
• Outstanding Music Video at the NAACP Image Awards in 1996

The song was nominated in other categories as well, but didn’t win:

• Best Song at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1995
• Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the Grammy Awards in 1996
• Best Song of the Year at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1996

Sales wise the single was certified in many countries:

• Australia – platinum
• Canada – platinum
• Denmark – gold
• Germany – gold
• New Zealand – 3x platinum
• Norway – platinum
• United Kingdom – 2x platinum
• United States – platinum

TLC – On the road

Review

Well, all that success and all that recognition doesn’t really speak to the quality of the song, now does it? Is it really that good? In short: yes it is.

The Prince vibe is undeniable, perhaps one of the many reasons I like it so much, the beat and the production are both worthy of Paisley Park Studios, the horns possess an Adore (closing song off the Sign O’ The Times album) feel and parts of the melody slightly resemble Money Don’t Matter 2 Night (one of the few really good songs on the Diamonds And Pearls album). But the influence was used as a source of inspiration, in no way does it diminish the quality of the song’s composition. Also, the song has a distinct hip-hop feel, placing right in the heart of the 1990s.

With the album CrazySexyCool TLC had already shown they had true merit and Waterfalls is a primary example. Music rooted in the past, but with its feet firmly planted in the here and now. That applies to the lyrics as well. In the tradition of engaged (black) R&B, Waterfalls is a song with a message. Part of the past as well, but translated into contemporary issues like crack and AIDS.

TLC – Waterfalls – CD single

Versions/mixes

Waterfalls was released in different formats (single, cassette single, compact disc single and maxi single), each containing different versions/mixes of the song:

• album version (4:39)
• single edit (4:19)
• album instrumental (4:42)
• DARP remix (4:27)
• ONP remix (4:34)
• ONP remix instrumental (5:19)
• acappella (4:05)
• no rap radio edit (3:32)

TLC – In the studio

Musicians

The musicians working on the song were:

• T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli – vocals and background vocals
• Left Eye – rap
• Organized Noize – drum programming, keyboards
• Edward Stroud – guitar
• LaMarquis “Marq” Jefferson – bass
• Kenneth Wright – Wurlitzer keyboards
• Jerry Lloyd, Ronnie Fitch, Charles Nix – horns
• Debra Killings, Thomas “Cee-Lo” Burton – background vocals

TLC – Waterfalls – Samples

Samples

The song contains two 1 to 2 second samples of:

• Jasper Country Man
  (off the Bobby Humphrey album Blacks And Blues, 1973)
• A Man Has To Go Back To The Cross Road Before He Finds Himself
  (off the James Brown album Hell, 1974)

TLC – Grammy Awards 1996

Bankrupt

On July 3, 1995, (just 5 days before Waterfalls would reach the number 1 position in the country) the TLC members each filed for Chapter 11 (a part of the United States Bankruptcy Code) bankruptcy. The group stated they were $3.5 million in debt, which was primarily blamed on their old Pebbitone contract, where TLC was forced to pay for everything, including recordings, videos, airline tickets, hotels, promotion, food, clothing and other expenses. What it basically meant was, the bigger the success, the bigger the debt became. Even though the group sold albums by the tens of millions, the members were left with less than $50,000 individually. Something wasn’t right, that was blatantly obvious. See Left Eye’s (in)famous explanation for how a group can sell millions of albums and still go broke here.

Almost one and a half years later, by the end of November 1996, TLC was finally freed from their smothering Pebbitone contract (in exchange for a small percentage of future earnings), signed a new deal with LaFace Records, acquired the rights to the TLC name and were granted full artistic freedom for future releases.

TLC – Fanmail

After Waterfalls

The latter caused problems even before recordings for their third album had commenced. Producer Dallas Austin (who was in a relationship with Chilli) demanded a lot of money and full creative control. The group refused. Following some time for the individual members to make music with or without others, the recording sessions for the third TLC album started in April 1998. The album Fanmail was released on February 23, 1999. Three weeks prior, the lead-up single was released: No Scrubs, the third number 1 single for the group.

Yet again, Fanmail sold well, and the album was artistically interesting as well. The album’s futuristic theme and name were thought up by Left Eye. During the time in the studio Left Eye had written at least 8 songs, which were rejected by the production team. In May 1999 she said in a Vibe interview:

I’ve graduated from this era. I cannot stand 100 percent behind this TLC project and the music that is supposed to represent me. This will be my last interview until I can speak freely about the truth and present myself on my solo project.

Left Eye, May 1999

Once again the awards were pouring in. At the 1999 MTV Music Awards Prince/ introduced the group before their performance: “MTV originally asked me to perform a song called 1999 and I decided that I’d rather come introduce my favorite group. Ladies and gentlemen, TLC”.

Despite Left Eye’s remarks, TLC went on a (sold out) tour. The tour started on October 22, 1999, and ended on January 29, 2000. The shows were performed in Canada and the US in huge auditoriums and stadiums. After the tour, the group was offered $25 million to bring the tour to Asia and Europe, but Left Eye wanted to work on her solo album an go to Honduras to rest and meditate.

Left Eye’s solo album Supernova was released on August 14, 2001 in Europe. When it wasn’t as successful as expected the US release was scrapped. She started work on a second solo album (N.I.N.A. New Identity Non Applicable).

TLC – 3D

In the meantime TLC reconvened for the successor to Fanmail. The recordings were 80% done when Left Eye left for Honduras for a short holiday, volunteer work and preparations for the construction of two educational centers for children in Honduras. On April 25, 2002, while filming a documentary, Left Eye’s car went off the road and rolled over, instantly killing Left Eye. Seven days later she was buried in Lithonia, Georgia. The text to her Waterfalls rap was engraved upon her tombstone.

The remaining two TLC members decided not to replace Left Eye, and continue as a duo. After finishing the rest of the music, TLC released album number four, 3D, on November 12, 2002. While the album wasn’t as successful as the preceding albums, it still was certified platinum in the US.

TLC – TLC

Following the 3D release, TLC was temporarily put ‘on hold’. There were some public outings, but T-Boz and Chilli remained in the background most of the time, until January 19, 2015. On that day, TLC announced plans to release their fifth and final album. With a Kickstarter fund they wanted to raise $150,000 to make the album. Within 48 hours the amount was met. In the end TLC collected over $400,000. On June 30, 2017, the album TLC was released. It was well received, but wasn’t successful.

Since 2015 the group performs live on a regular basis, and with great ticket sales everywhere they go.

In closing

What do you think of TLC and Waterfalls? Let me know!

Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: TLC and the exquisite Waterfalls. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.