In an era where sampling is all the rage, there are few better compliments than a song’s original artist endorsing its remakers.
Such was the fortune of R&B trio Stooshe, who saw the surviving members of TLC -T-Boz and Chilli-feature in their freshly released video for ‘Waterfalls’.
The retooled version of the 1995 classic serves as the latest cut to be lifted from the British belle’s self-titled debut which arrives via Warner/Atlantic on November 12th.
Peep the video for ‘Waterfalls’ below…
Hmm.
As much as we enjoy Stooshe and love us some TLC, we’re not sure this was the best choice to follow-up the group’s recent chart-smash ‘Black Heart’. And for a number of reasons too.
For many an 80′s and 90′s kid (a sizeable chunk of Stooshe’s target audience), ‘Waterfalls’ is still as fresh as the day it was released; which in the grand scheme of things, wasn’t actually that long ago. Hence, in daring to cover such a contemporary yet iconic track, it’d have benefitted all involved if the ladies had delivered something more than a watered-down karaoke version. Indeed, their incarnation could have done with all-new adlibs, tweaked verses, and/or a different rap.
Instead, they’ve delivered a solid, yet Glee-like take on the song. A problem given that the original (and moreover TLC as a trio) worked primarily due to the meshing of unique and individual elements.
Still, in belonging to the 80′s born/90′s raised club, we’d always be a little susceptible to being extra nit-picky with such a cover. Viewed this way, we can’t but give kudos to both Stooshe and TLC for bringing such an important track to the new generation.
40 COMMENTS
Sarah Says
October 7, 2012 at 10:10 am
This version is an abomination! I don’t care who’s authorised/co-signed it.
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JENNY JONES!!!
October 7, 2012 at 11:36 pm
AHH SOMETHINGS ARE BETTER LEFT ALONE AND THIS SONG IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS. I HOPE TLC MADE A FEW NEEDED DOLLARS OFF OF IT ATLEAST………..JENNY JONES!!!
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Ronnie_Slim
October 7, 2012 at 10:11 am
Dawn Richard GoldenHeart 10/16/12
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yes love
October 7, 2012 at 10:11 am
i like it alot i love how they made it their own and didnt try to copy TLC
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diedinyourarms
October 7, 2012 at 10:15 am
Their voices are nice…
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Rihanna Navy
October 7, 2012 at 10:16 am
erm i’ll stick to the original
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Dev
October 7, 2012 at 10:23 am
I think that this shows how average their voices are, the Atomic Kitten recycled Whole Again beat and the cheesy video that takes away from the message that was portrayed in the original. This gets a massive thumbs down from me. I appriciate their grind but this should’ve stayed on the studio floor., especially when the original is still so iconic. Whats next Dappy & Tulsia singing Biggie and Faith One More Chance, One Direction singing Jodeci or Boys to Men. These pop acts need to know when to leave good alone.
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HeavyHeavy
October 7, 2012 at 10:38 am
ALL OF THIS!!!!
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IMO
October 7, 2012 at 12:49 pm
THIS, THIS and THIS!!!
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the real xoxo
October 7, 2012 at 10:35 am
i like that they are introducing this classic to the younger generation. they were performing at a shopping centre once and they can sing their ass off!
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truth tea (take a sip)
October 7, 2012 at 10:37 am
i think they made it their own and its a decent cover.
they way they sang Left-eyes verse was nice
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L-Boz
October 7, 2012 at 11:24 am
@stooshe are genuine fans of TLC and are bringing this classic to a new generation, as well as re-introducing TLC who are working on a comeback. Thumbs up overall! @therealtboz and @officialchilli look great too. #RIPLeftEye #stooshewaterfalls
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Peter Griffin
October 7, 2012 at 1:08 pm
It’s still the same generation. I was 2 when the original came out and I personally think it’s too soon to be covering very iconic songs from the 90′s.
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@091094_ Twitter
October 7, 2012 at 11:26 am
its a decent try, i think the video should of been much less colorful and simple, just to honor the song
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Checory
October 7, 2012 at 11:38 am
Not bad…
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Justin
October 7, 2012 at 11:39 am
This is one song u just don’t remake or touch the original went down in history as one of the greatest r&b songs ever and this remake is not even close to being justifiable for listening ears
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Marko
October 7, 2012 at 11:39 am
Why so much hate?? I’m a huge TLC fan and I think that Stooshe did an awesome job on the track and did justice for the song and TLC. Loved the appearance of Tboz and Chilli. It was a heartfelt moment for any TLC fan! Wish Lisa was in person though! Rest In Peace Lisa Left Eye Nicole Lopes :’)
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Sarah Says
October 7, 2012 at 12:13 pm
The term hate is so overused. Why when someone has a different opinion to someone else it’s hate. Songs like No Scrubs and Waterfalls are classics and don’t need no introduction to anyone who is serious about music, these new age pop tarts may need a lesson but any music fan will already know this and have passes it down. Kids need to learn more musical heritage and respect music more instead of having memories from dodgy covers. Too many people don’t know the original of anything, or even realise when something is a sample.
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Checory
October 7, 2012 at 11:39 am
Im an 80s baby, so when i listen its hard to like it.. but honestly its not a bad Cover
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J
October 7, 2012 at 11:43 am
Its a good cover but I think the track may be TOO iconic to cover… still its nice that TLC give Stooche their support.
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King.
October 7, 2012 at 11:47 am
When I first saw this post I was really scared cause I adore TLC but honestly this wasn’t bad at all. I really liked it and I love the fact that these girls can actually sing.
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IOTA
October 7, 2012 at 11:51 am
I’m a huge TLC fan and I think that they did it justice (not as great as the original of course, especially the rap !). But Loved the cameo at the end!
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JazThatBoi
October 7, 2012 at 12:08 pm
So when Chilli and T-Boz first appeared the in the video their faces looked liked, “What the hell is going on in here?!!”….Then it switched to “O its just the kids playing around to one of our joints, lets go play cards girl”. lololol (The only part of the song i really liked was the singing the rap ..that was nice touch..otherwise it was just coo…no hate thrown)
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SHUH
October 7, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Ok, I’ve had a slight change of opinion. First of all, Waterfalls is always gonna be a TLC song and they will ALWAYS be the best for performing it. However, Stooshe do have incredibly good voices, if you haven’t heard them acapella or acoustically you should check them out. I actually really did like the video, I found it to be quite fresh. And i’m very happy they give TLC their respect by having Chilli and T-Box in the video – I found that to be respectfully paid to them. I do want Stooshe to become successful their great
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SHUH
October 7, 2012 at 12:19 pm
T-Boz*
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IMO
October 7, 2012 at 12:52 pm
This is probably one one the worst covers i’ve heard in a while. This isn’t ‘Hate’ merely my opinion
What TLC brought with the texture of vocals, Left Eyes rap and the message in the video, these girls left ALL of it out.
Their voices sound below average. The video is too cute and has no message. The harmonies were bland. They way they sang Lisa’s rap… I’d personally line them up and shoot them for it!
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Peter Griffin
October 7, 2012 at 1:02 pm
“the surviving members of TLC”…I don’t usually bash Sam but ain’t that a little insensitive. No need for it! As for Stooshe releasing this as a single, sorry, no, this song is TLC’s signature song, only for TLC! Sound like a cheap imitation. Maybe someone could successfully cover it in 100 years when we’re all dead. But yeah, this is a definite no!
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credits
October 7, 2012 at 1:03 pm
For such an ionic song, this rendition is extremely underwhelming. But i must give credit where credit is due, so i will say that the group harmonizes well together, the only part that impressed me was the harmony during left eye’s part.
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Kangarilla
October 7, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Exactly. That was the only true shining moment of the song, but the rest of the song was just nice singing instead of emotion about what they were singing.
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munchie
October 7, 2012 at 1:32 pm
lmao at some of these comments. I like it but the original will always be the best song/video wise . Also y’all have to understand we’re living in the green screen ages of time for videos. and contemporary music decade..lol .In the 90s everything had more substance from the songs/to the video showing the messages. So Stooshe basically took frrom TLC live performances of waterfalls with the dancers. & made it into a video to pay tribute them that is all. click here to she the live performance of TLC waterfalls I’m talking about…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCA7ZsoMS3Y Happy that people are still showing TLC love tho. oh T-boz & Chilli look beautiful. that was the highlight of the video for me. Sooo ready for their return to music . It’s soo much needed
)))))
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unbiased
October 7, 2012 at 2:31 pm
I think its a good homage to a classic song.
those girls can sing, im definitely checking for their album next month.
It was so upsetting that Left eye wasnt with the girls in the video, made me want to cry!
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munchie
October 7, 2012 at 4:38 pm
never said it wasn’t just pointing out the facts.
I said i like it .. that is all. i will forever love the original no matter who covers it. I also went into detail of the concept of the video It was merely taken from the TLC waterfalls live performances . not that’s that a bad thing. i actually thought it was a smart decision instead of trying to copy the original video.
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Blake
October 7, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Really disappointing. I really liked stooshe & thought their first two singles were brilliant. I heard that they were releasing a cover of waterfalls (didnt believe it when i heard it but still…) i thought it would be interesting to hear their take on it as they seemed to have their own unique style on their first two singles. however this cover is really not up to scratch in my opinion. the first verse sounded completely out of tune and there was no emotion in the song what so ever, they had no connection with the song, the lyrics or their meaning, it really was just like a karaoke cover. they should have done their own take on the song… even the dance moves were copied from the original. really let down by the cover and by stooshes third single choice
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CHRISTINASTHEREALTALENT
October 7, 2012 at 4:54 pm
This was a complete insult to the spirit of the original and to TLC.
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Randy
October 7, 2012 at 6:01 pm
it’s not bad. but then again it’s not good
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Jahlal
October 7, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Low budget mess…
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22daydreamers
October 7, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Wow. That was such a well done video and a beautiful reinterpretation. It’s disappointing that so many people aren’t interested in revisiting and revamping classics anymore. (Shakespeare made a career of it.) A round of applause for these ladies.
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danny b
October 8, 2012 at 3:51 am
“Waterfalls” is just one of those songs that shouldnt be remade. Its an extremely well known original classic that stands on its own and is still relevant almost 20 yrs later and doesnt need any resurrecting or “tribute”. Songs that are classic but not very well known are those that should be covered in a commercial way, a la “I Will Always Love You.” However, i think their cover was decent. Not horrible, not amazing, but decent.
The cameo by T Boz and Chilli, though it made sense, was awkward as hell. Especially Chilli’s (nonexistent) facials…
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Emmi3
October 8, 2012 at 4:16 am
how dare they ! they shouldnt even have had brought the thoughts to their mind to touch this song..Their version sounds like a medioker karaoke vision..its terrible
glad i put it on pause in no time and now i am gonna erase this shit by listening to the original
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Mr. B!
October 8, 2012 at 8:48 am
Horrible.
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