Worum es in "Waterfalls" von TLC geht

Weltweit über acht Millionen Mal verkauft, zweimal Gold, sechsmal Platin und diverse Auszeichnungen: "Waterfalls" ist der größte kommerzielle Erfolg des US-amerikanischen Trios und als erster ihrer Hits war, der auf politische und soziale Probleme aufmerksam macht, ein mächtiger Katalysator für den Einfluss von TLC.

Die Produzenten Organized Noize und Rico Wade kreierten damals die Melodie des Songs unter anderem, indem sie einen Sample von Paul McCartneys "Waterfalls" verwendeten. So kommen auch Teile der Songlyrics leicht abgewandelt im Track von TLC vor: Aus "Don't go jumping waterfalls / Please keep to the lake / People who jump waterfalls / Sometimes can make mistakes" wurde "Don't go chasing waterfalls / Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to" - diese Zeilen wiederum mutierten durch die weite Verbreitung des Songs zu einer gängigen Redewendung. Aber...

Was bedeutet "chasing waterfalls" überhaupt?

Starke Strömungen, sprudelndes Wasser, das gefährliche Felsen kaschiert und nicht zuletzt die Möglichkeit, ziemlich tief zu fallen: Auch wenn innerlich ein starkes Verlangen danach herrscht, ist Wasserfällen hinterherzujagen wirklich eine Entscheidund, die für Gesundheit und Wohlergehen dramatische Konsequenzen haben kann. Wenn man nicht gleich stirbt, besteht zumindest eine sehr hohe Wahrscheinlichkeit, sich übel zu verletzen. Genau das bedeutet der Ausdruck und genau darum geht es auch in "Waterfalls" von TLC: Das zentrale Thema des Tracks ist die Notwendigkeit, Verantwortung für die eigenen Handlungen zu übernehmen und die Konsequenzen von Entscheidungen zu verstehen. Die Zeile "Don't go chasing waterfalls / Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to" will implizieren, dass es wichtig sei, sich auf die Dinge zu konzentrieren, die man kennt und nicht impulsiv zu handeln.

"Anything that's self-destructive, that's chasing a waterfall. We wanted to make a song with a strong message – about unprotected sex, being promiscuous, and hanging out in the wrong crowd." - erzählt Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas gegenüber dem Guardian

Die Bedeutung von verantwortungsvollen Entscheidungen - am Beispiel von Bandenkriminalität, ungeschütztem Sex und Drogenkonsum

"Waterfalls" erzählt drei unterschiedliche Geschichten zum Thema Entscheidungen und ihre Konsequenzen. In der ersten Strophe geht es um eine Mutter, die sich um ihren Sohn sorgt, der in ein kriminelle Bandenzugehörigkeit geraten ist: "A lonely mother gazing out of the window / Staring at a son that she just can't touch [...] But all the praying just ain't helping at all / 'Cause he can't seem to keep himself 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". 

Die zweite Strophe handelt von einem Mann mit einer großen Leidenschaft für Sex - diesen hat er nur leider ungeschützt, weswegen er sich eines Tages mit HIV infiziert: "Little precious has a natural obsession for temptation [...] 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". 

Im dritten Teil geht es schließlich noch um Drogenkonsum: "I seen a rainbow yesterday, but too many storms [...] 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 bleeding hope is for the folk who can't cope / With such an endurin' pain that it keeps 'em in the pourin' rain / Who's to blame for tooting 'caine into your own vein?"

Hast du's gewusst?

Oder dachtest du auch, "Waterfalls" von TLC handelt von einem Typen namens Jason Waterfalls?

I grew up thinking Waterfalls by TLC was about a woman that didnt want a guy named jason waterfalls to go.

— p0k0☣️ (@pokornstar) February 12, 2020

Mit den Botschaften ist "Waterfalls" auf jeden Fall mal wieder ein prima Beispiel für die Macht von Musik, durch die wichtige Botschaften mal ebenso in die Köpfe von Millionen von Menschen transportiert werden und wirken können - sofern man eben auch richtig zuhört und die Lyrics reflektiert. Also: Don't do drugs! Benutz Kondome! Und guck dir an, mit welchen Leuten du dich abgibst.

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Die Lyrics: TLC - "Waterfalls"

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 himself 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

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 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

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
(Your way or no way)
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

Come on!
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 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 bleeding hope is for the folk who can't cope
With 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 falling prey to crime
I say the system's 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

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 movin' too fast (Ooh, you're movin' too fast)
Don't go chasing waterfalls (Don't go, don't go)
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
(I know, I know, your way hey)
But I think you're moving too fast