☝️ Key Points
- The song addresses topics such as drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, and social issues.
- The chorus uses a metaphor to encourage listeners not to get lost in dangerous situations.
- The two verses tell the stories of two characters who are struggling with drug abuse and sexually transmitted diseases.
- The bridge of the song addresses themes of hope, faith, and personal responsibility.
- 'Waterfalls' by TLC is a warning about the dangers of drug abuse and risky behavior and their effects on the people around us.
Interpretation
The song 'Waterfalls' by
TLC addresses various social issues, primarily drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.
In the first verse, it is about a mother who cannot reach her son. He is constantly in trouble and she cannot help him, despite her efforts. The line 'Another body laying cold in the gutter' suggests that her son is likely living on the streets and possibly involved in criminal activities.
The chorus 'Don't go chasing waterfalls / Please stick to the rivers and the lakes / That you're used to' is a metaphor urging not to get into dangerous situations and to stick with what one knows and is safe.
In the second verse, another individual is introduced, 'Little precious'. This character succumbs to a 'temptation' that their body cannot handle, and this temptation could be a metaphor for drug abuse or unprotected sex. The line 'Three letters took him to his final resting place' refers to HIV, a disease that often leads to AIDS and can cause death.
In the bridge of the song, themes of hope, faith, and personal responsibility are addressed. The lines 'Believe in yourself / The rest is up to me and you' emphasize that, despite all the challenges one may face, the key to overcoming them lies within oneself.
Overall, 'Waterfalls' is a cautionary narrative about the dangers of drug abuse and risky behavior, and the impact such decisions can have on the people in our lives.