Catching The Butterfly
- The Verve Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As though you were born
And so you thought
The future's ours
To keep and hold

A child within
Has healing ways
It sees me through

My darkest days

I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine

In my lucid dreams
In my lucid dreams

Something now
Through life no fun
I want to feel
I want to run

I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine

In my lucid dreams
In my lucid dreams

I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
Keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly

In my private dreams
In my private dreams
In my private dreams
My lucid dreams

My forgotten schemes
I see through you
You see through me
I see through you

You see through me
Be with me
Be with me
I see through you

You see through me
I see through you
You see through me

To be in your eyes
To be in your eyes

Overall Meaning

The song "Catching The Butterfly" by The Verve is an introspective and introspective ballad that explores the idea of hope and the desire to escape from life's difficulties. The first verse begins with an expression of optimism and the belief that the future is "ours to keep and hold". However, the tone quickly shifts toward a more personal struggle as the lyrics speak to the healing power of the inner child, a childlike aspect of the self that can help one get through the darkest days.

The chorus of the song, "I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly in that dream of mine" becomes almost a mantra, representing the dreamlike state of the mind and the desire to hold on to that childlike hope and imagination. This theme continues throughout the song as the vocalist expresses a desire to be free from life's difficulties, and the hope to find solace and joy in their "private dreams" and "lucid dreams".

As the song comes to a close, the lyrics become more introspective and surreal, with the vocalist singing "I see through you, you see through me" repeatedly. The song ends with the line "to be in your eyes", suggesting a desire for a deep connection with someone or something beyond the self.

Overall, "Catching The Butterfly" is a poignant and bittersweet song that speaks to the universal human desire for hope and freedom.

Line by Line Meaning

As though you were born
It's as if you're starting fresh and new, like a newborn baby

And so you thought
You believed that the future was guaranteed and within your control

The future's ours
We have the power and ability to shape our own future

To keep and hold
To possess and maintain our desired future

A child within
An innocent, carefree part of ourselves

Has healing ways
It has the ability to provide comfort and relief during difficult times

It sees me through
It helps me cope or overcome struggles

My darkest days
The most difficult times in my life

I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
I want to pursue and attain my dreams

In that dream of mine
In that ideal vision of my future

In my lucid dreams
In my clear and vivid imaginings

Something now
Current circumstances or situations

Through life no fun
Life has become dull or unenjoyable

I want to feel
I desire to experience emotions or sensations

I want to run
I want to break free and escape my current situation

In my private dreams
In my personal, innermost thoughts or desires

My forgotten schemes
My past plans or ambitions that were abandoned

I see through you
I understand your true motives or intentions

You see through me
You know who I really am

Be with me
Stay close to me, support me

To be in your eyes
To have your attention and affection

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: THE VERVE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@johnc6343

3y↑10

Lyrics
So you're born and
So you thought
The future's ours
To keep and hold
Oh, child within
Has healing ways
It sees her through
My darkest days
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
Oh-oh-oh, in my elusive dreams
Oh-oh-oh, in my elusive dreams
Some may know
Through life no fun
I wanna feel
I wanna run
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
I'm gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
Oh-oh-oh, in my elusive dreams
Oh-oh-oh, in my elusive dreams
Gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
Keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
Gonna keep catching that butterfly
In that dream of mine
Oh-oh-oh, in my darkest dream
Oh-oh-oh, in my darkest dream
Oh-oh-oh, in my darkest dream
Oh-oh-oh, in my darkest dream
My elusive dreams
My forgotten schemes
My elusive dreams
My forgotten schemes
I see through you
You see through me
I see through you
You see through me
I see through you
You see through me
I see through you
You see through me
Believe in me
Believe in you
Believe in me
Believe in you
I see through you
You see through me
I see through you
You see through me
I see through you
You see through me
I see through you
You see through me
To feel the light
To feel the light
To feel alive
To feel alive
Oh, that elusive dream

All comments from YouTube:

@nicholasweigel-hubler3741

7y↑247

I bought this album because of Symphony when I was 11. I thought I was buying it for that song, but I was VERY wrong. I remember as a 12 year old wandering some trails by myself in a national forest in northern Michigan listening to the whole album and being, for the first time, psychedelically blown away, especially by this song as I watched the drips drop down from and endless forest of green leaves. I had just read Tolkien's Silmarillion and between that and this track (with the others on the ablum) I was more full of 'what if' questions then any time in my life to that point. An awakening

@whitedevil4122

5y↑4

Yes, I remember watching you...you were very cute.

LOL...only joking

@kupodrinksmilk

5y↑5

Neon Wilderness must have been great.

@sumin95

5y↑6

I like "Butterfly" and "Catching the Butterfly" A LOT! They feel like deep brain, abstract, musical art I can get lost in..... Timeless.

@bakkersbites

4y↑2

Nicholas Weigel-Hubler thanks for sharing

@YodiRoberts

4y↑7

The same happened to me at 10 yrs old but in my case it was Riders on the Storm by The Doors Almost 30 years earlier and seemingly the same kind of effect

15 More Replies...

@CaptainCalculus

11y↑68

I'm going to make a big call here--feel free to dislike if you must: This is the best British album of the 1990s

@Kiln99

5y↑5

A Northern Soul is a zillion times better that this. Feel free to dislike if you must 😊

@86paul80

4y↑1

@@Kiln99 nah

@petisebestyen88

4y↑5

@@Kiln99 2 words: Definitely Maybe

@Burt472

3y↑1

One of the best for sure.....

@robertaustin4778

3y↑1

To hard to separate the verve and oasis it was special times back then

2 More Replies...

@infinitycovuk699

4y↑42

this album is a masterpiece. one of the best of the 90s without doubt.

@ronnykazadi352

Methodrone from BJM says hi

@bendaniels2851

5y↑90

Definitely the most underrated song on the best album of the 90s

@brainiac8067

Truth

@SeanMuirMusic

4y↑2

Ben Daniels that and the Rolling People

@smokinjoe8909

4y↑1

Definetly maybe then this

@grantluney2960

3y↑3

My favourite on the album

@tomsawyer2338

3y↑4

This is actually my favorite song on the album.

1 More Replies...

@shaunbarnett2972

5y↑90

This album is what happens when talented people have a moment of pure magic. It's only possible perhaps once in a life time no matter how talented a person is. Everything must be aligned perfectly and the timing needs to be just right. So many have tried to replicate the magic of a former time in their life believing it was due to their ability, only to discover that it was actually a moment of natural magic never to be repeated.

@paulyoung4483

Mate. That is perfect. It truly suns up how art is created, not manufactured.

@toad1er

well said

@USNewsNow1

3y↑4

it's not magic...it's God. Our Father in Heaven gave us these gifts to glorify Him.

@saritajoshi1737

Well, radiohead have done it several times. Because they do not have gigantic egos. Infact many bands and artists have done it. You are just plain ignorant.

@paolo-n2000

Totally agree...I read an interview with Neil Young and he was talking about the songs he writes are not his...it's a spirit moving through him and he just tries to stay open to all of it when it happens. Like, they just move through him. Nick, RA, Simon and Pete are able to capture something cosmic and special when they play music together! Let's hope they put aside the personal issues and record new music together again!

4 More Replies...

@SethDranes

4y↑7

Whatever Nick does at 5:50 makes my spine tingle every time.

Honestly amazing that they just sorta showed up, dropped the three best albums ever made and then disappeared forever.

@mooch4274

2y↑1

Amazing wasn't he, he's living a humble life now in Shropshire I believe, but nowhere near as wealthy as Ashcroft, even sold off a load of guitars a few years back. The most underated british guitar player of the last 30 years easily. His lead and solo work is biblical, such incredible tones and sounds, my favourite sounding guitar player of all time. A Storm in Heaven has some sounds on that blow my mind.

@jackvanderhyde8828

8y↑54

"The child within has healing ways. It sees me thru my darkest days." Awesome lines....

@markoblazney6360

5y↑2

indeed, sir+

@SeanMuirMusic

4y↑1

Jack Vanderhyde beautiful line mate that’s always resonated massively with me

@TheBleech

9y↑91

I bought the album on release...man, it's timeless.

@louisnirvana1

8y↑4

Me too..

@ralphemerson1654

7y↑2

Fuckin' A it is

@kabrj7246

6y↑1

your right.. near on if not perfection..

what talent❤

@J8T369

6y↑1

One more like and you hit my year. Please like this comment someone.

@mariacarla1957

1y↑2

Always my favourite of this album.

@hobbyable1

8y↑54

Ashcroft must have known the stars aligned when he meet Nick McCabe; the man's work is just timeless beautiful, the work of a master of his craft.

@ralphemerson1654

7y↑1

Fuckin' A.

@pedrosuarez2349

Agreed....

@kabrj7246

6y↑2

most underrated band of the 90s..

and perhaps the best..

@martinob3294

9y↑28

sunshine, hammock and this song in the background.......... Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!

@e.kamsani9331

3y↑3

That bass though.. :D

@EricWGagnonEZE

Simon Jones plays a lovely BASS!

@biteme8535

5y↑33

If you think Urban Hymns is good you should listen to their first two albums. They'll blow you away. Urban Hymns was the end of perhaps the most underrated group of the 90s. Oasis, Blur and Radiohead took the limelight but these guys were in their own way better

@archer60x43

3y↑4

I love their self titled ep and A Storm in Heaven

@pedrosuarez2349

I totally agree...

@AZSpartan

Us kids in Lansing MI at college all knew this was the top album, so profound. Jukebox play at Bars too, if you can believe it. Took over. URBAN HYMNS. Do not forget it.

@ndesdsadfd

All three albums were fantastic. And the first EP.

@solarbreeze11

1y↑2

Was in2 skateboard music but these guyz hid me hooked with their raw energy and honesty in the songs. Still listen n still am in aww. Wish modern day music was this good .

@TheWinterShadow

2y↑1

I was an American visiting and driving around the UK playing this CD when it was released. Fond memories.

@caketin_thecloud3619

8y↑37

This was the only song that made me fall asleep as a baby. Still love it <3

@rszilvarn

caketinthecloud cool parents!
Now I feel old! Lol

@rszilvarn

@TheGooners11 40 years old myself...Janurary is 40 something.

@ArjyBarjy1

I still listen to it to sleep

@adriansennett2861

This could be rhe number one album of the decade. Still fresh and powerful after all this time.

Absolute magnificence.

@pedrosuarez2349

6y↑9

That bass and drum line is out of this world....so amazing....

@jday3361

9y↑25

One of their very best...Come back, Verve!

@Burt472

35w

Their best album

@jiros00

9y↑28

This song is a psychedelic epic. Floating.

@Burt472

2y↑1

Agreed....A greeting from Italy

@stormyclouds8409

4y↑21

This has always been my favourite track on Urban Hymns.

They did a track called "Ma Ma Soul", which was a Japanese Bonus track for Forth. Fans of Catching The Butterfly might like it, very similar.

@SD-ym1rt

4y↑3

Looking for it right now. Cheers man

@Burt472

3y↑2

Same here

@thetriumphofthethrill2457

7y↑20

Gorgeous tune, this sends me dreaming into spacey otherworldliness . This takes me back to the good ol' days; Britpop and '97 were truly the last great eras of music and life respectively.

@mooch4274

2y↑1

Biblical F'ing song, their album music outside of the singles is SO underated its a crime. I've had nights sober falling alseep to this song under stars. I've been stoned with my best friends listening to this song and I tell you it takes your feelings and appreciation to other places, its unreal. I love Ashcroft and I love the Verve. Check out So Sister and Let the Damage Begin for two excellent B Sides. They sum up a piece and time of being British, those summers in the late 90's when I was in my late teens, with not a care in the world, wow I didn't know I was born. Peace everyone

@MrStarsail

11y↑24

McCabe you fuckin hero

@enlightenednormie242

6y↑12

When you understand the lyrics in combination with the music you are uplifted to the heavens.

@Jack-vm1fg

1y↑2

Energizing, revelatory, brilliant, yet subtle and just cool AF.. words fail. I wouldn't be disappointed if this was the soundtrack of heaven.

@sammuniz5360

39w

That's brilliant!

@WalterSobchak1000

5y↑4

next level basslines on this one, take a bow Simon Jones

@miguelvillada4059

4y↑6

I use to listen this song on the way to the University, I like to see trough the window's bus during the sunny days, all the kind of greens and all the colors of flowers, also the blue sky. I like to think about how amazing is light and nature's composition.

@sharpo88

16y↑31

fucking epic. this band helped me through many a dark time. sublime.

@fortitudevalance8424

2y↑1

This song must be the soundtrack to cats in their dreams when they are playfully trying to catching butterflies. 🐱 🦋

@skop1ok

13y↑4

one of the most underrated songs

@Burt472

No it's not

@monarkdesai803

3y↑3

Peter Salisbury is the greatest drummer of all time

@porterhall27

really?

@monarkdesai803

3y↑2

@@porterhall27 it's one of those things where every time I hear this song I feel that.

@EricWGagnonEZE

@@porterhall27YES

@blex5579

19w↑1

pure genius.

@07dukez

10y↑58

I love the vocals at the end. Why don't they make music like this anymore? Has our internet generation ruined everything?

@ravon1982

10y

yes and yes. I would normal just thumb up your comment and go on my way. BUT some 17yr old didn't know what a yank was ..worlds gone mad

did tell her its a person from states and she just looked at me like a dick.

@nataliadjuraas

8y↑6

Oh you mean that thing you are using to listen to this song? Or that thing your cheap ass uses to listen to the music you want to listen to now for free? Or maybe that thing your using to provide you a platform to say this idiotic comment in the first place?
Fcking hypocrites, always whining. If you hate the internet so much, go back to living how it was in the 90s see how far it gets your ass today.

@thetriumphofthethrill2457

7y↑4

bobby dukes: Must be something in the air. Ever since the millennium things have declined badly in almost everything we loved in the previous century.

@234cheech

it sure has 41 i asure it has

@WyldeRatttz

6y↑6

If your mind is scattered everywhere by a million different things on the internet, video games, smartphone apps, etc, yes... you will not be able to concentrate long enough to make beautiful art. That's just a fact. Get unaddicted from screens and you will be able to create beauty, too.

3 More Replies...

@Burt472

13y↑8

Flabbergasting track on Urban hymns along with "rolling people"......2 masterpieces

@supermamgu3948

7y↑24

My daughter was born to this this song !

@louisnirvana1

7y↑3

That's deep; did you make the request in the delivery room?

@supermamgu3948

7y↑10

Hahaha No i didn't . I took verve albums , she chose the timing , it just happened to be this song. She is 17 this year and I will have to let my butterfly go into the world to make her own life! i'll make sure this song will be playing when she leaves ! Huge part of my life are The Verve .

@louisnirvana1

7y↑2

wow...I'm glad mine is 10 still brother hahah but im on my way.... :/
i didnt know i could request anything when she was born and we were in the delivery room, so when they asked i said...Mozart.
But catching the butterfly is such bad ass son got be born to (:

@supermamgu3948

7y↑3

Bad ass butterfly...that's my girl !!!!

@ramiutube

16y↑7

One of the best tunes under the influence..

@KathyMadrigal

11y↑6

Love love love love... and love everything about this album

@markharry66

11y↑2

I am an old git, remember this album when it came out still listen to it every now and then. Its a great album. Never taken drugs. Never needed to each to their own

@porterhall27

3y↑1

"never taken drugs"..no what you mean is you haven't taken illegal drugs

@CasperLD

13y↑2

Urban Hymns, The Stone roses, Definitely Maybe. The most important albums ever released.

@ThomasBahamas

9y↑30

A pretty cool song about lucid dreaming, and taking control of your life (At least that's how I interpret it) :)

@SeanMuirMusic

4y↑4

I had a paper round when I was fifteen. I remember listening to this album non-stop every morning for months! Amazing album

@johnc6343

3y↑10

@hazimali7744

33w

I'm convinced this is the best album ever created. Thought I'd change my mind with time, but it's literally been 15 years since I discovered it, and nothing has surpassed its magic, at least for me.

@CG-gr8xk

5y↑9

i knew a lad who had urban hymns but only would listen to the singles which were released off of it. couldn't figure out why he wouldn't give the rest of the album a try seeing as it's packed with loads more great tunes like this one.

@ralphemerson1654

7y↑5

I was in what used to be called a "record store" when this album came out and hey were playing it in there. Was blown away-still am. One of my top three albums ever. This is one of my favorite bass lines.
Transcendent, baby.

@flywings111

12y↑3

Urbans Hymns is one of my favourite albums from the 1990s and I like especially the closing track, Catching the butterfly. It is so relaxing.

@fromthelandofuruk

15y↑6

My favourite song on Urban Hymns.

@garyglowacki3298

5y↑4

Quite possibly the best thing they ever did. And that's really saying something.

@Burt472

Agreed...A greeting from Italy

@robertoag5718

7w↑1

This song always gave me "dancing queen by Abba" vibes, idk why jajaja

@tobias.2162

Einer der besten Musiker der 90er Jahre 🥰.

@pm1591989nd

14y↑1

everything about this song by the verve is just gr8... Greetings from India

@christopherdunn974

9y↑33

Richard Ashcroft is a boss

@nestoreuan2899

Was*

@angrygrouse4989

@@nestoreuan2899 :(

@lyonslaforet

12y↑2

There's a great, dreamlike atmosphere that wraps the whole song!

@Iceis_Phoenix

13y↑4

This song is so dreamy!

@fuberelli2

6y↑3

What a Album....Awesome.

@alfianmm

12y↑2

yes, one of the best albums ever.

@lukerichards4064

6y↑2

Class album,best of my life , it’s that good ! Never played an album as much as this one !

@kp4588

3y↑1

Glad I’m not the only one.

@MGKBOSTON

4y↑1

Groove on. I saw them in Toronto in /93. Brilliant.

@JohnCeciliato

9y↑8

One of my favourite tunes,,,
enjoy xx

@eddienolan8159

7y↑6

pure class great in every way

@garyward5668

2y↑1

Best album I have ever bought

@smeglamaniac

12y↑1

Possibly my favourite from this album its like something from a storm in heaven.. lucid :D

@Burt472

10y↑9

My fav. track.

@strontiumd6789

8y↑13

my personnel favourite

@erickgregoryful

13y↑1

This album is wonderful ALL the way through. Moving.

@matluc_productions4031

4y↑4

Play this at 0.75x and it feels like a trip

@Mark-id3ub

10w

Good Tune Juicy Lucy 👍

@topquality73

14y↑2

one of my favs

@AlbumReviewChannel

10y↑15

In that dream of mine.

@dimsum9994

35w

God bless…. Thank you

@MuhammadAli-ox6tj

3y↑1

this album is like an entity that attached itself to me the moment I first listened to it back in the 90s. There came a time in my life I resorted not to listen to it as I blamed it for my depression and melancholy state of mind. Little did I know it was the only thing keeping me afloat during those tumultuous times. times changed, friends disappeared, family members moved away, but the tunes stayed the same.

@mooch4274

I did the same with Jeff Buckley and Led Zep mate, the doctor even laughed at me! But I just couldn't listen to anything remotely melancholic, infact I stopped listening to music in general for a period of time due to depression. Peace to you

@Gary-ii6qj

Some songs are like reoccurring echo's....they always come back.....mad.... Heard this song and it felt like I just saw them at the Point back in 97

@alandufau7473

dNCING QUEEN!

@dougescobar9687

7y↑2

yea man this music is irreplacable legendary specially if youre high or drunk verry mellow and relaxing i think its about 1999 when this came out or 98 but man it still sounds great

@adrianbeaumont6745

2y↑2

Great album even though critics say it commercial by The Verve standards. Its got great songwriting from Ashcroft and the band plus that wondrous mix of indie rock, gothness and Spirituality which makes it unique.

@spamwilson

14y↑3

absolutely beautiful song

@fergaoneill5323

52w

Richard Ashcroft world class singer

@jahmanoog461

6y↑1

My thoughts echo other comments--epic, timeless, will endure and survive the test of time, in the flow,,,groovy. Excellent composition, Intelligent lyrics. Thanks to the band.

@demonweber666

3y↑1

3:44 & 3:52 that guitar in the background makes me float on air!

@mooch4274

2y↑1

His guitar work is still much of a mystery to be honest, even scouring the forums for info on his set up and techniques dosen't yield a fat lot. For example Let the Damage Begin is an amazing B Side but for the life of me I cant find the guitar tab or notation anywhere nor can I work out what tuning its in either!

@demonweber666

@@mooch4274 That's interesting! The mystery adds another element. I've seen em live, and they get pretty much the same sound. My guitarist in a band I sang in some 20 yrs ago, and I, went to a venue in Chicagoland, and they had a live band karaoke with a pretty girl playing violin. So Kevin got up there and did Bittersweet, the place went nuts.

@shareschannel

12y↑2

quality album

@holmanator79

2y↑2

The psychedelic bit at 3:13 👌

@MethodMobile

I still love this .....I can remember back in the day......cheers!

@ROCKSOLID19

12y↑2

If cats understood music, this would be the bg music when they are leaping up in the air catching butterflys while they dream.

@brainiac8067

4y↑1

Great tune.

@aaronwimberleymbamsf5776

classic & timeless=] Such a groovy example of the amazing music coming out of the 90's. The symbolism of the "butterfly" is powerful, a full metaphor for something that once looked "wretched" transcendentally transforming into something with wings powerful enough to have a butterfly effect- It always reminds me of the movie Papillon, where they turn butterfly wings into physical currency in a Penal Colony of France.

@demonweber666

7y↑10

My Lucid Dream would be a killer band name!

@sumin95

demonweber666, only if the band is as worthy as The Verve!

@stormyclouds8409

There's a brilliant band from Carlisle called The Lucid Dream who got their name from this song. Check out Compulsion Songs, fantastic album, the closer "Epitaph" is phenominal

@savagegoatman6967

6y↑2

I feel like I'm strolling down a long empty freeway early in the morning as the sun slowly rises

@frazzledazzle89

11y↑1

one of the first albums i bought as a kid, Urban Hyms. Just thought id have a listen today, pleased i did.

@vodevil1140

6y↑4

Christ almighty I remember one time smoking a fat joint, and from 4:26 onwards I was tripping god damn balls because of this song, this song is so trippy and amazing... love it!!!

@shayfarley7253

Oh God yes I remember a similar experience with that exact part of the song, just lost my shit was hallucinating dreaming I spoke to dragons saw into the existence of space and time all that sort of weirdy shit. A very surreal moment never since repeated sadly

@lewisbarrah8804

4y↑2

Immense drummer

@gon2bed

12y↑1

They released "Forth" in 2008, that has some great songs, picked up from where they left off, with Love is Noise and Rather Be :)

@amypalazzolo6068

Great song xxx

@TheRealGuSty

11y↑1

So true also the best band of all time imo:)

@davidramirez150

8y↑16

classic

@dougescobar9687

7y↑2

hope to hear something coming out from england again one day love that manchester sound good music like that today very rae to find

@lbsearches

11y

It is one of them. Blur, the Happy Mondays, the Stone Roses and Radiohead all put out a slew of mind-blowing albums in the 1990's.

@couriersix8066

3y↑1

Blazing to this song feels just about right 👌

@FlashmoreGash

13y↑2

Amazing song!

@LuisLopez-zn5zg

2y↑1

Masterpiece

@MU0371

Gorgeous Music

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