Water Runs Dry

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"Water Runs Dry"
Waterrunsdry.jpg
Single by Boyz II Men
from the album II
ReleasedApril 11, 1995
Recorded1994
GenreR&B, pop
Length3:22
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)Babyface
Producer(s)Babyface
Boyz II Men singles chronology
"Thank You"
(1995) 		"Water Runs Dry"
(1995) 		"Vibin'"
(1995)

"Water Runs Dry" is a 1995 single by Boyz II Men for the Motown label, written and produced by Babyface.[1] The single, the fourth released from the album II, reached number two in the United States and number four in the Canada. It also contains a version of the group's previous number one hit from the same album, "I'll Make Love to You". A Spanish version, "No dejemos que muera el amor", was also recorded and peaked at number 10 on the US Latin Pop Airplay chart.

Music video[]

Synopsis[]

The video for "Water Runs Dry" was directed by Wayne Isham. Filmed at White Sands National Park in New Mexico,[2] it features a woman (played by Tyra Banks) walking through a desert setting and holding a glass ball. The camera zooms in on the ball to reveal an overhead view from a helicopter of Boyz II Men standing atop a sand dune inside it. Shots of a string orchestra and guitarist playing along are interspersed throughout as the group sings the song. Clips of both the woman and the group walking and running across the dunes are also shown. Some scenes feature a rippling effect that mimics water. The video closes with the woman once again holding the glass ball and watching as the camera pans out to show the group walking away inside it.

Reception[]

Essence, in a brief throwback-to-1995 piece, jokingly commented that the video "has more white-on-white sets than, well, the Essence Festival", but also said that it was "full of more 90s goodness" and concluded with "We love it".[3]

The music video received two MTV VMA nominations for Best Cinematography and Best R&B Video at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards but did not win.[4] It was additionally nominated for Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo at the 1996 Soul Train Music Awards,[5] but lost to TLC's "Waterfalls.[6]

Live performances[]

Boyz II Men headlined the 1995 edition of the "Budweiser Superfest" concert series that ran from July through August of that year,[7] and performed "Water Runs Dry" as part of the setlist for each show.[8][9][10]

In 2018, the group opened for Bruno Mars on five dates (between September–October) of the second North-American leg of his 24K Magic World Tour,[11] and performed the song during their appearances.[12]

Track listings[]

Credits and personnel[]

Adapted from Tidal.[16]

  • Boyz II Men – primary vocals
  • Babyface – songwriting, production
  • Colin Heldt – immersive mix engineering
  • Reggie Hamilton – string arragement

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[39] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Renditions[]

In 1998, contemporary jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb covered the song for his album The Moon, the Stars and the Setting Sun.[40]

American cover band Boyce Avenue released an acoustic version of the song in 2010.[41]

Contemporary Christian artist The Katinas covered the song for their 2013 album Love Chapter.[42]

American singer Kelly Clarkson performed a stripped-down version of the song, accompanied by only a guitarist, on the June 7, 2021 episode of her daytime television talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show, during the "Kellyoke"[a] segment.[44]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Clarkson opens the show with a musical performance of various songs requested by audience members—she performs one cover per episode.[43]

References[]

  1. ^ "Water Runs Dry - Boyz II Men". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  2. ^ "Commercial Filming". www.nps.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "95 Live: Remember Boyz II Men's 'Water Runs Dry'?". Essence. April 4, 2014. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "1995 VMA Winners". MTV. Archived from the original on May 10, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "TLC, Jackson lead Soul Train nominees". UPI. February 22, 1996. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "D'Angelo, TLC top Soul Train Awards". UPI. March 30, 1996. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "Backstage With The Boyz". The New Yorker. August 13, 1995. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  8. ^ Wilker, Deborah (June 26, 1995). "Boyz II Men Step Up To Arena Status". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  9. ^ Preston, Rohan B. (July 18, 1995). "Superfest Goes Soft". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  10. ^ Watrous, Peter (July 31, 1995). "POP REVIEW; Boyz II Men, the Gentlemen Lovers for the 90's". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  11. ^ Mims, Taylor (August 14, 2018). "Bruno Mars Taps Boyz II Men, Ciara, Ella Mai & Charlie Wilson to Take Over for Cardi B on 24K Magic Tour". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  12. ^ Lazor, Drew (September 20, 2018). "Crowd-pleasing Bruno Mars brings Boyz II Men to the Wells Fargo Center". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  13. ^ Water Runs Dry (Liner notes). Boyz II Men. United States: Motown. 1995. 374631315-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Water Runs Dry (Liner notes). Boyz II Men. United Kingdom: Motown, Polydor. 1995. 042286038919.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Water Runs Dry (Liner notes). Boyz II Men. United Kingdom: Motown, Polydor. 1995. TMGX1443 DJ.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ "Water Runs Dry – Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  17. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Boyz II Men – Water Runs Dry". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  18. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8998." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9013." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  20. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (25.6. '95 – 1.7. '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). June 24, 1995. p. 26. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "Boyz II Men – Water Runs Dry" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  22. ^ "BOYZ II MEN - WATER RUNS DRY" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  23. ^ "Charts.nz – Boyz II Men – Water Runs Dry". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  26. ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  27. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  28. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  29. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  30. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  31. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  32. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  34. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  35. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  36. ^ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  37. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  38. ^ "1995 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  39. ^ "American single certifications – Boyz II Men – Water Runs Dry". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  40. ^ "The Moon, the Stars and the Setting Sun". Allmusic.
  41. ^ Kellog, Kristi; Nesvig, Kara (February 1, 2018). "55 Best Sad Breakup Songs for the Newly Single". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  42. ^ Love Chapter (Liner notes). The Katinas. United States: Destiny Productions. 2012. 643157424314.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  43. ^ Kaufman, Gil (April 14, 2021). "How Kelly Clarkson's Wildly Popular 'Kellyoke' Covers Get Made". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  44. ^ Mamo, Heran (June 7, 2021). "Your Tears Might Run Dry During Kelly Clarkson's Boyz II Men-Approved Cover". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.

External links[]


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