"Waterfalls" is a song by the English musician Paul McCartney from his second solo studio album, 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 and No. 4 in Ireland. 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". 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 flavour" and "appropriately sparse" instrumentation, and described McCartney's vocal performance as "inimitable" and "creamy." Cashbox called it a "whimsical ballad," stating that it has an "almost dirge-like melody." Record World said that "Stately keyboards surround [McCartney's] boyish falsetto for pop-A/C appeal."
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 his song:
"Waterfalls"
"Check My Machine"
Sloan recorded a more uptempo version of the song on the McCartney tribute album Listen to What the Man Said.