Butterfly
Pink Floyd Lyrics


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Listen, all you girlies
Even though I haven't met you
Gonna catch you soon
In my butterfly net
You'd better watch out

Sometimes when I watch you
I stretch out my hand to touch you
'Cause it drives me wild
To see you flutter by
You butterfly

I won't squeeze you dead
Aiming through your head
I just want your love

I won't writen your name
In Latin in the rain
'Cause raining it's a shame

Listen, all you girlies
Even though I haven't met you
Gonna catch you soon




In my butterfly net
You'd better watch out

Overall Meaning

The song "Butterfly" by Pink Floyd is a peculiar one as it speaks of a man who is out to catch all the girlies in his butterfly net. The lyrics may seem creepy and disturbing but upon a closer look, one can interpret that the song is actually about the fleeting nature of love and the beauty of butterflies. The singer is likening the girls to butterflies, beautiful and fragile creatures that are hard to catch or hold on to. The line "Sometimes when I watch you, I stretch out my hand to touch you" implies that the singer is infatuated with these girls and wants to capture them, but he knows it's impossible. Just as catching a butterfly kills it, trying to hold on to love only makes it disappear.


The lyrics also touch upon the theme of vanity and ego. The singer declares, "you'd better watch out" which implies that he sees these girls as trophies to be won. However, he also states that he won't "squeeze you dead aiming through your head", meaning he won't harm them, but rather wants their love. It's interesting to note that the verse "I won't write your name in Latin in the rain cause raining it's a shame" is a nod to Bob Dylan who wrote "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall", which contains a similar line.


Overall, "Butterfly" is a hauntingly beautiful song that delves into the complexities of love, and urges listeners to regard love as something to be cherished, rather than something to be captured or won.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen, all you girlies
Attention, all young girls.


Even though I haven't met you
Although I have not yet personally met you.


Gonna catch you soon
I plan to capture you soon.


In my butterfly net
Using a net intended for catching butterflies.


You'd better watch out
You should be cautious of my intentions.


Sometimes when I watch you
There are times when I observe you.


I stretch out my hand to touch you
I attempt to physically reach for you.


'Cause it drives me wild
This behavior causes me to become extremely excited and motivated.


To see you flutter by
Observing you move with a light and rapid motion.


You butterfly
A term of endearment and identification for the woman in question.


I won't squeeze you dead
I promise to not harm or kill you by squeezing too tightly.


Aiming through your head
The desire to possess you and make you mine is constantly in my mind.


I just want your love
All I truly desire is your affection and devotion.


I won't writen your name
I will not write your name in a specific manner, as it could cause shame.


In Latin in the rain
In a language that is complex and poetic, during a time when the weather is adverse.


'Cause raining it's a shame
This is because the rain could wash away the writing, and the act itself could be perceived as shameful or embarrassing.


Listen, all you girlies
Attention, all young girls.


Even though I haven't met you
Although I have not yet personally met you.


Gonna catch you soon
I plan to capture you soon.


In my butterfly net
Using a net intended for catching butterflies.


You'd better watch out
You should be cautious of my intentions.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SYD BARRETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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