"Waterfalls" is a bit scary.

[Derek]

I just seen that "Behind The Music" on Lennon and the last days leading up to his death. Ive just heard the "Starting Over" stripped version. And the whole thing just made me think. Paul's "Waterfalls" was always, in hindsight, a scary song. Knowing this came out in 1980, i always felt he was singing this to John when he was coming out of a 5 year hiatis to record "Double Fantesy". Paul was saying that it's good you're finally coming back out writing songs again, recording, you sound very happy, but just try to be a little careful going back out in the public eye again. "Waterfalls" seems to be pleading to John to be careful out there. Infact...this may sound "way out there in left feild" but even the "McCartney 2" album cover is a bit unsettling, with his frightful expression on his face.

[2 of 3]

I guess you could also think of Waterfalls as Paul having a premonition of sorts...but I think it's most probably just a love song to Linda. I guess it could also be a song for one of his kids..since they would have been pretty young in 1980.

[Paperback Writer]

I think all good/great art is easily translated to different meanings, especially with 20/20 hindsight over time.  Though I don't see Waterfalls as having THAT meaning, I can see how one can reasonably see your view.  The Beatles,, themselves, often commented how  their songs were vehicles for this kind of thing.