Bette Midler - Waterfalls [Official Audio] 

What I hear is a mother desperate for her son's well being, no matter what she tries, he just does what he wants. You wouldn't understand until you lost one. Is this version comparable to TLC's? No. It's a different version and a different feeling. Haters get over yourselves.

I think a lot of you are looking at this all wrong. I applaud Bette Midler for singing this song. I feel she is showing how much she appreciates this song. I mean who will sing a song they didn't like? Ms B has been in the game too long for that.

Congratulations to Bette Midler for putting her own spin on this song instead of merely doing a note-by-note karaoke version of it. And I think the song's writers feel honored that their song has stood the test of time and is being covered 20 years after it originally was a hit.

TLC's version is incredible and so is this - just in a very different way. You can't touch the original, but I like that Bette did something very different with it. Stunning.

Bette milder gives this song a tenderness and a genuineness that IMO the original version just doesn't possess. I don't want to take anything away from TLC, the song was written by them I believe. But I think the way she sings it suits the subject matter.

So many closed minded people on here! This is a beautiful rendition! She obviously likes the song or she wouldn't of covered it, TLC should feel honored. Anyone who has a song of theirs covered should, it shows that their fellow artists-even in other genres- appreciate their contribution to the music industry!

I actually really love her version of this song.

The Divine Bette Middler is singing this song the way Bette Middler sings and interpret this arrangement. She is not TLC, nor she should or even, needs to pretend. She is Bette Middler.

Ms. Midler adds so much emotion to the song that even a cover becomes her own, totally masterly, absolutely remarkable performance.

I have a 20 year old Latino helper, who is totally into hip-hop, nothing else... I asked him if he'd ever heard of Barbra Streisand... he said only cause they mentioned her on South Park... he had never heard of Bette Midler... I put this version on for him, cause he knew the TLC version... He LOVED Bette's version... and now he is a fan of a different artist and type of music... (although I doubt he would admit it yet to his friends)…

I am not sure Bette realises just how good she actually is and this album just shows how good she is. I am 16 years old and I just adore this album. I can't get enough of it and I need to buy it at some point!

Once again, she proves the Divine Miss M. can do ANYTHING!

keep your negative comments to yourself Bette nailed it and sounds amazing especially considering she's almost if not 70 years old so go hate somewhere else Haters

So this kicks major ass. The cover was magical and she sounds O-MAZING! Understand first what an honor it is for her to even sing this song. Second, stop looking for all Artists to do what the original does. This cover pulls you in a different direction and actually makes you listen to the lyrics more intently. She's storytelling folks. You will listen to the same song 100 times and it will take you 100 different places depending on the delivery and who's delivering it. Thank TLC for such wonderful lyrics. Better confirmed that simply by covering it. Open your mind people.

Streisand always said never had a voice lesson...midlers voice improves cuz she does take lessons --her voice is strong here.

she could sing the phone book and make it sound fabulous, bravo Divine Miss M

She makes this song so much more poignant!! Love love it

I actually really like this. Not sure why so many people have to hate on it. It's different and you have to take it for what it is. It's not TLC, but I doubt she was trying to be. For how many artists sing other artists songs all the time this was one of the better ones.

I don't give a damn what anyone says Bette did that shit!!! 

this reworking adds a real tear-jerk torchsong/croon to it that gave me chills and befits the lyrical content. TLC brought this message in one way, she does it with another and they were both genius!

i never listened to the songs story until Bett sang it.. i love TLC. but Bett can make a real story out of a song. i think she honored the song and cares about people

i love TLC and love bette midler...bravo bette i loved it!!

Miss M shows again why she is so divine...what a great song and what a great voice.

Every time I hear Bette's version of this song I love it even more. She still rocks my musical world!

GO MISS M...... I want to say you really show to everyone beautiful part about music thank You ;) music bring's lot of people together. Your awesome.....

Wow!!! Another reason to love you more... Bette

a beautiful story teller. i didn't know the meaning of this dong till i heard her sing it.. its amazing!!

Such melancholy....beautiful.

when a singer of Bette sings your song, it is a sign of great respect. and i am sure that TLC took it that way or she wouldn't have given permission to do it. i would be willing to guess TLC feels very complimented by a grand dame like Bette to choose it to sing

I think Miss B did a great job on this rendition of "Waterfalls" I know not everyone will like it because it's a bit slower than TLC's version but she made it her own and if TLC had an issue with it they wouldn't have given their permission for Miss B to do a remake, in fact I'm sure they took it as an honor to have such a voice do one of their songs.!!!! Way To Go Miss B!!!

I would love to hear her do left eye part ! I love Bette Midler !

If TLC's version was from the perspective of a sister, Midler's is from the "lonely mother gazing out of her window". I think she makes it her own and that it has plenty of feeling, particularly the kind that parents have when they realize they can't protect their kids 24/7.

This is achingly beautiful. Loved the song before but this interpretation is haunting!

I loved when TLC did this but you did it justice. Thank you

The original is untouchable! I mean come on it's TLC but this hits me in my core..

La Midler does it again. She is the Rose!!!

I love this. I was so excited to see she covered it and it sounds amazing. To people upset about her "stealing it" or whatever, the whole CD is covers of songs by strong lady groups. If you're mad about this, you should also get mad about all the other songs on the album, too.

Tear coaxing rendition!

Bette , is the man , the woman , the bomb!!

i have seen her sing this live it sent chills and had me in tears she understand wha the song is about its about a mother wanting to tell her child not to do that but knowing they have to sit back and let them make their own mistakes thats her take on the lyrics and thats how she sings it a mother watching her children make mistakes knowing she can only offer advice not sop them

Brought tears to my eyes. This is one of my favorite TLC songs I use to play it for my daughter when she would refuse to eat out of fear of getting fat. I have always loved Madam M. ever since I first saw beaches also because of her loved "Fiddler on the Roof." This is a beautiful rendition of "waterfalls"

I love you Bette!!! You were here before the 'popstars' of today were born and probably will still be after they go into obscurity as they always do these days after a few songs, the days of true legends like you are over it seems....!!! God bless you, by the way I am only in my 20's but appreciate talent when I see it. Acting, singing, dancing, comedy... is there anything this legend cannot do and do so well!

Bette's been leaning towards softer, jazz-type recordings. This fits it the style for that to appeal to her audience. If anyone thinks she's trying to appeal to TLC fans, they're mistaken. She's taking a 90's hit song and adapting it to her audience today - making the style unrecognizable, making it her own. Still a bit muted for an average Bette performance though.

Waterfalls Bette Midler A lonely mother gazing out of the window Staring at her 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 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 is 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 I told him Don't go chasing waterfalls, just 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 moving too fast (moving too fast) Moving too fast (moving too fast) Don't go (don't go) chasing waterfalls (waterfalls), please stick to the rivers (Oh my darling) And the lakes that you're used to (stick to what 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 Moving too fast

I've listened to the original TLC version of this song a hundred times, but I never heard the depth of the lyrics until the one time I listen to this Bette cover of it. Wow: Love it!

I love everything about Bette Midler. Her voice is amazing! One of my favorite CDs is "Better Midler Sings Peggy Lee's Songbook." Simply devine!

Such a tastefully done cover. Kudos, Bette!

I really like it, Bette! As an actual musician, I respect it SO much. Congrats on the album!!

I have ALWAYS been one of those who's NEVER liked listening to anyone singing someone else's songs BUT Bette Midler NAILED IT!!!! T.L.C. did a fabulous original & could never be beat but Ms. Bette really put her heart & soul into this one. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! !!!!

Bette Made this her own. She Made this awesome

I think you should've shot a video of you in the sound booth with this, so these people will stop saying there's no emotion. Apparently they can't close their eyes and feel it like I can. I loved it.

Sorry, this is the most beautiful of Left Eye's song... but Left Eye wrote it, it's awesome. Here, it is slowed down and packs more emotional punch. Bette is a great artist.

#BetteMidler#Waterfalls is a haunting song that stays with you and grows on you as you listen to the ache and simplicity of her rendition. She nailed it! Hit it out of the ballpark. Love both, each unique and both great songs in perfectly different ways. HIT!!

the divine miss m. still can turn a classic into a classic :) THAT is how you should cover a song: make it into a whole new experience. there is so much artistry and ... well ... tlc ... in the vocals and the production.

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Bettes vocals are on point. I just don't care for this song. Bravo!

Can't stop listening to this.

i actually like it. it gives the song life. No one can take the place of Lisa Left Eye Lopes.

I'm pretty sure Bette Midler covered this song because she loves the song and it's message - NOT because of a "money game" as someone else suggested. To those who have a problem with Bette's arrangement of the song - there really is no point in covering a song unless you change it up in some way, otherwise you could listen to TLC, right?! I'm sure Left Eye would be honored by this cover.

Can't get enough of this version. #IloveBett

Thank you Bette. It makes me appreciate the song even more.

This song has been a life long favourite of mine as round the time it was released in the UK I went through some day times loosing my Mum, and I've always thought that anyone entertaining the idea of covering this song should have been shot, but all I can say is WOW. I've just fallen in love with this song all over again. Thank you Miss Midler.

Your a real story teller with song. I absolutely love u and this rendition.

Wonderful Bette. A triumph.

This just shows how a different delivery delivers a different message and reaches different audiences. If this was originally Bette's song, it wouldn't have been so successful. #IJS

Simply divine...

I will never forget when this woman came up to me and told me she just bought a home ..And later To My Surprise She asked To Sit Next To Me . So she pulls Up A Chair And Sits very Close To me . And Then She said and Did Something I will Never ever forget !

Even without the rap it's still a beautifully done song. She puts a good standards spin to it.

Another triumph for Bette. She can take any song that she likes and make it her own. GREAT JOB on this one Bette. I am sure you have made TLC proud to have a Legend such as yourself cover their already iconic music.

It's a beautiful song either way... This is a lovey cover.

Her ability to interpret lyrics is rare. Beautiful.

She has a unique phrasing that gets to the heart of a lyric.

She’s amazing

I feel she is the “mother staring out of the window” here in her interpretation. I love this as much as the original.

The beauty of music is that you can appreciate the words and meanings behind a song through a multitude of genres! Kudos Bette Midler!

Amazing and divine, as always! Love ya, Bette!

What a nice version

A gorgeous and heartfelt tribute to a great song. Bette reaches the core of the message of this song and TLC approves. Bravo Bette.

Admirable, and in the way Bette should do it!

This is a beautiful TLCs song that deserves to be known by all generations of music fans. Bette can do it like no other. I like it, and its an awesome tribute and recognition from Bette to this three talented ladies of TLC

loving it. stop haters. its Bette how can you not like ?

cheapest ticket is 100$ and most expensive 3000$..this will be one ill have no choice but to miss--the concert in my town

Bette's interpretation is brilliant.

what the heck is the question? it’s not unclear at all. This is excellent and shows an undeniable respect for the original by both preserving it in distinct ways while still showing Bette’s style at the same time. I’m very happy to have come across this.

This version is really, really great. Like it a lot!!

Beautiful version! I love it.

So much better than the original. Thank you.

The DIVINE MISS M returns HALLELOO!!!

This touched a part of my soul that hasn't exhibited any signs of warmth in a long time.

Good advice that you just can’t take when you’re young. Another of life’s mysteries.

I SIMPLY LOVE THIS!

Wow i love This version. English is not My First langue, so I have never listen to the text before. It is very heartbreaking. Thank you to Bette Midler :-)

I didn't even realize the story of this song until I heard Bett Midler singing it. She sings it beautifully and if it was my song I would be honored that she had chosen it.

I love her always great to hear her sweet voice..This tribute to "The Girls" is fabulous...such a wonderful take on..

This song goes as hard as diamonds

Can't lie. I didn't hate it. It made me want to listen to the original though and when I did.....I was jamming!

Not enough words to say how great she is.

The more I think About Bette And I Being Together . The More I Think She Was Trying To Find Out More About Me ... ..

Great cover! Folks forget the cover

I think this rendition is very good. I think Bette has done a great job.