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Waterfalls (Paul McCartney song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Waterfalls
| cover = Paul McCartney - Waterfalls single cover.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Paul McCartney
| album = McCartney II
| B-side = Check My Machine
| released = 13 June 1980
| recorded = JulyAugust 1979
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Soft rock
| length = 4:43 (Album Version)
3:20 (DJ Edit)
| label = Parlophone/EMI (UK)
Columbia (US)
| writer = Paul McCartney
| producer = Paul McCartney
| prev_title = Coming Up
| prev_year = 1980
| next_title = Temporary Secretary
| next_year = 1980
| misc =
}}
"'Waterfalls'" is a Paul McCartney ballad from his first solo album after Wings, 'McCartney II'. The song has a minimalist sound, with McCartney only playing a Fender Rhodes electric piano and a synthesizer and singing, and a short solo performed on acoustic guitar.
"Waterfalls" was released as a single with "Check My Machine" as its B-Side and reached chart position in the UK. In the US, however, it was his first single ever to miss the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, only reaching despite being the follow-up to the hit "Coming Up".Chip Madinger & Mark Easter, Eight Arms To Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium (Chesterfield, MO: 44.1 Productions, 2000), 250. In 2013, 'Rolling Stone' rated it the all-time Paul McCartney post-Beatles song, describing how it contrasted with Wings' prior single.
'Billboard' described "Waterfalls" as having "a subtle oriental flavor" and "appropriately sparse" instrumentation, and described McCartney's vocal performance as "inimitable" and "creamy." 'Cash Box' called it a "whimsical ballad," stating that it has an "almost dirge-like melody."
When questioned on singles he wished were more successful, McCartney stated, "There's quite a few, actually. ... 'Waterfalls', I think is nice." He also commented that TLC's single "Waterfalls" carries elements of his song.
McCartney also said of the song:
Charts
Personnel
"Waterfalls"
* Paul McCartney vocals, Fender rhodes, synthesizer, acoustic guitar solo
"Check My Machine"
*Paul McCartney - vocals, banjo, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, shaker, percussion
Other versions
Sloan recorded a more uptempo version of the song on the McCartney tribute album 'Listen To What The Man Said'.
References
Category:Paul McCartney songs
Category:1980 singles
Category:Songs written by Paul McCartney
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Parlophone singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Paul McCartney
Category:Music published by MPL Music Publishing
Category:1980 songs
Category:1980s ballads
Category:Rock ballads
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