Some songs just stay with us. They were so well written and arranged that a bevy of people wind up covering the song because they liked it so much.
Such is the case with the 1995 hit "Waterfalls", which was performed by TLC. The song was a double Grammy nominee and charted very well. The song was written by Marqueze Etheridge and TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. You may not know that Cee-Lo Green sang backing vocals on the track.
This is NOT a happy song. It's message is a warning and an attempt to bring attention to the violence, drug dealing and chronic HIV cases that were destroying inner-cities in the U.S.
"Waterfalls" would be covered by at least nine artists of which two are notable. The first is by the London pop trio Stooshe who released their cover in 2012 along with a video. This version came as a surprise to both fans and critics alike. Their harmonies during the rap portion of the song is brilliant and the interplay of their voices with horns make this a very likable song. The video is first rate as well and TLC members T-Boz and Chilli have cameos. It is reported that the band decided to do the song after meeting T-Boz earlier that year.
The Steve Poltz version of "Waterfalls" couldn't possibly be more different. This stripped- down solo acoustic guitar performance wowed us and the surprisingly good handling of "Left Eye's" rap portion clinched it for us. Not bad for a guy from Nova Scotia, Canada!
Poltz went to school in San Diego and formed a band called The Rugburns. They would make some noise in town but Steve eventually went solo and after a disagreement with a record label, started his own. In 2003 he released the album Chinese Vacation and got a lot of play on Sirus XM. "Waterfalls" is now his signature song at his performances and the crowds are still amazed.
So lets hear them all! We are putting all three up for your consideration...
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