You may have read that headline and immediately wondered if I had completely forgotten that "End of The Road" exists. I have not. The powerhouse of that song will forever live in the chart history and lives of anyone who experienced the 90s music scene.
"End of The Road" is a classic. During my youth, I can easily say it was by far my favorite song. Shout out to Paperboy's "Ditty" being a close second.....but that's for another discussion. "End of The Road" is great and it deserved all the success it had on the charts. It was a groundbreaking song for 90s R&B music and helped open the door for many other artists. Boyz II Men also has many other under the radar tracks that didn't have as much success but were quality songs that probably deserved more praise ("Pass You By," "4 Seasons of Loneliness," "In The Still Of The Nite," the "Vibin" remix w/Method Man, Craig Mack, Treach, Busta Rhymes). But when I look at their catalogue I look at "End of the Road" and Water Runs Dry" and how they are similar yet stand apart.
Both songs deal with relationships that have hit a wall and unraveled, or on the verge of collapsing. The subject matter of both have the group singing from the heart and can easily place many listeners in a relatable spot whether it be comfortable or not. Both songs had the inclusion of Babyface helping piece the song together, with his signature lyrical structure and production heard throughout. "Water Runs Dry" plays out like a love song but displays itself as a plea and a heartfelt last effort to save a relationship. As the opening strings begin to play at the start of the song, you can hear Wanya Morris almost take a deep breath as he begins to sing the first words, "We don't even talk anymore." The sound of someone exhausted and near defeated but ready to question why they can't fix what they have. You can say that songs will hit each individual differently based on their life trials and experiences, moods and emotions, and any number of factors. It's true. But a great song can be noticed by people who have never felt or related to the subject matter of a song. It comes from the singers (and writers/producers) ability to convey a story that keeps the listener interested or invested throughout. Boyz II Men does just that in "Water Runs Dry."
Although it didn't achieve the level of success of"End of The Road," "Water Runs Dry," reached as high as #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and ranked #12 on the 1995 year end Billboard charts. Don't forget, Boyz II Men dominated in the mid 90s when it came to the singles they released from their albums. Especially their multi platinum sophomore album that had the powerhouse releases of "I'll Make Love To You," "On Bended Knee," and "Water Runs Dry." They could do no wrong at the time. Even "I'll Make Love To You" was much more successful and in that aspect more comparable to "End of the Road," but this song stands out on its own in a different way. I feel a main reason it gets overlooked at times is because it was overshadowed by "I'll Make Love To You."
I can point to a number of lyrics in the song that display its beauty, but the part that always stood out to me is, "Why do we hurt each other,? Why do we push love away," bridging into the chorus of the subject matter. It's the questioning of what is lying beneath and what got them to this point. Songs can be interpreted differently from each listener but the singer is questioning how they ended up at this moment, while also taking blame for a part of what got them there. Yet the tone and emotion is accompanied by a feeling of sorrow from not understanding why they've reached this level. I feel that gives the song it's greatest strength. It's not a song where someone messed up and is asking for forgiveness. It's not a song about someone who was done wrong but is willing to give forgiveness. It's a song that carries a feeling of that last chance of hope combined with the sadness of seeing the end approaching. "End of the Road," displays itself as the end. "Water Runs Dry," displays itself as a last hope. The harmonious sounds, the peaceful production, the story that has just unfolded, when you hear it come to an end you reflect on what just played out as the song begins it's closing seconds. The song has this ability to give you a kind of closure but to immediately cause you to think back to the beginning as the song is closing out. I've loved the way "Water Runs Dry" has that effect and it's the reason I see it as their best song. When songs can kind of take you out of the zone for the duration of its entirety, they've done their job.