South African social media star, singer, and songwriter Tyla became an overnight sensation with her brand new song “Water.” The African dance-pop song became a viral hit after Tyla shared her choreographed dance to the song on her TikTok. The song eventually went on to win Tyla her first Grammy Award.
“Water” was released in July 2023 as the lead single from her self-titled debut studio album. The song gained slower momentum at first but broke out to be a viral success after Tyla shared her dance choreography to the song on TikTok in August 2023. The video gained over 35 million views and got her the media attention she deserves.
“Water” success went on to win Tyla her first Grammy nomination and win for ‘Best African Music Performance’ at the 2024 Grammy Awards. The song also gave Tyla her first-ever Billboard top 10 hit. The music video for the song has gained over 130 million views at the time of the article.
Tyla talked about the meaning behind “Water” with Rolling Stone’s magazine;
I love songs that aren’t direct. People that are older know what’s about, but anybody can sing it. A huge example is “Rock The Boat” by Aaliyah. I didn’t know what she meant by ‘rock the boat.’ I love that type of writing. With “Water,” I just wanted a summer song that everybody could vibe to and have fun to. The meaning of the song is frisky: it’s me letting a guy know, ‘Show me what you got to offer. I’m done with all the talk.’ Men will just talk and talk and talk. As soon as I heard “Water,” I said, ‘It’s over. We have the song.’
With the success of the song, Tyla also collaborated with Travis Scott to release a remix of the song.
Listen to “Water” by Tyla
Tyla “Water” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
“Water” is beaming with sexual energy. The singer calls for her partner to bathe her in love and sweaty physical activity.
Make me sweat, make me hotter
Make me lose my breath, make me water
The lyric “make me water” is shrouded in controversy. Some believe it to be simple playful words, and others believe extreme sexual activity that makes the singer melt like an ice cube on a sunny day. Tyla mentioned that she does not want to explicitly explain what the song means but rather let each listener feel the song in their own unique way.
In the first verse of the song, Tyla explains how she is in a dangerous mood recently. It might have something to do with the person she is with. He has been talking a lot of talk recently and this might be one reason she is in a dangerous mood herself. But it is time to walk the talk now.
Talk is cheap, so show me
Tyla invites her partner to blow her mind away. He has been saying he can, so it’s time to prove it now. It is time to set off her whole body like a firecracker. She wants him to take her soul away from her body and make her feel numb all over. Make her feel as if she is drained of all the liquid in her body. Make her feel paralyzed.
In the second verse of the song, Tyla invites her lover to stay in all night. This is not just any other night–this is a special night. This is an invitation for a full meal and dessert consuming her mind and body.
The music and the video of the song do justice to the lyrics and Tyla unleashes immense energy when performing this song. The combination of these factors has led to the massive success of the song.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the song on Genius.
