In 2011, Leftwich released his debut album, "Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm," produced by Ian Grimble. The album achieved commercial success, peaking at number 35 on the UK charts. Critically acclaimed, it was praised by The Fly as a "majestic debut" and received positive reviews from publications like The Skinny and the Sunday Express, with the latter describing it as "lovely." Songs such as "Shine" gained popularity, becoming Spotify's "Most addictive track of 2014" and accumulating over 150 million global Spotify plays. Additionally, "Atlas Hands" was featured in the Zillow TV commercial titled "Lake House" in 2015. During the same year, Leftwich co-wrote the song "Grow" with British artist Frances, which was featured in an Amazon UK TV advert.
Leftwich's second album, "After the Rain," was released in August 2016. Following the album's release, he embarked on an extensive tour from April 2016 to August 2017, performing songs from both his second album and his debut. The tour covered various countries, including the UK, Canada, USA, China, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and several Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia.
In recent years, Leftwich has released a series of single cover-tracks, including "Pure Morning" by Placebo, "Rebellion (Lies)" by Arcade Fire, "When You Were Young" by The Killers, and "Because of Toledo" by The Blue Nile. These releases showcase his versatility as an artist and his ability to reinterpret songs from diverse genres.
Throughout his career, Benjamin Francis Leftwich has made a significant impact, selling over 100,000 copies of his debut album and garnering millions of streams on digital platforms like Spotify. With his soulful folk-pop sound and introspective lyrics, he continues to captivate audiences around the world.
Butterfly Culture
Benjamin Francis Leftwich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't burn through all your bars
You put out to put up
Even while your widening smile
Was shaking in the smoke
Your head was full of hope
Because I am a member of the butterfly culture
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
Even now when you know how
To measure up the risk
You're still not tired of this
Even when the pills you take
Turn you to a ghost
You still spin around the most
Because I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we worked and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we worke and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
The opening lines of Benjamin Francis Leftwich's "Butterfly Culture" expresses a sense of weariness and indifference towards the world's issues. The singer acknowledges that he or she has become desensitized to the troubles around them and can no longer feel the pain behind certain events. The use of the metaphor "faded glow" and "bars" indicates that the singer has lost the ability to be affected by the world, highlighting a sense of powerlessness.
The song's title itself is symbolic of the themes it explores. Butterflies are often associated with change and freedom, and the "culture" around them is one of transformation in the face of adversity. The verse "Even when the pills you take turn you to a ghost/You still spin around the most" suggests that the singer is aware of their own destructive behaviours but still finds comfort in them. The subsequent repetition of the verse stating that the singer is "A member of the butterfly culture" implies that they are a part of a larger community that indulges in similar behaviours.
The chorus of the song centres around the objectification of an individual in a dress. The singer prays to have the girl undress and "distress" them with her movements, suggesting that there is a sense of power and dominance in such an act. This is juxtaposed with the "play and we pray to god" line, which implies that the members of the butterfly culture indulge in reckless and self-indulgent behaviour without consequence.
Line by Line Meaning
Even though your faded glow
Won't burn through all your bars
You put out to put up
Despite feeling limited in your abilities, you still try your best to break free
Even while your widening smile
Was shaking in the smoke
Your head was full of hope
Although you may be struggling, you maintain a positive outlook for the future
Because I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we worked and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
I identify with a culture that values pleasure and indulgence, often at the expense of others
Even now when you know how
To measure up the risk
You're still not tired of this
Despite being aware of the potential consequences, you continue to engage in risky behavior
Even when the pills you take
Turn you to a ghost
You still spin around the most
Even when your actions lead to negative consequences, you cannot resist the thrill of the moment
I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we worked and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
I continue to participate in a culture that prioritizes pleasure over responsibility and empathy
Contributed by Audrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
S S
Even though your faded glow
Won't burn through all your bars
You put out to put up
Even while your widening smile
Was shaking in the smoke
Your head was full of hope
Because I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we work and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
Even now when you know how
To measure up the risk
You're still not tired of this
Even when the pills you take
Turn you to a ghost
You still spin around the most
Because I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we worked and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we work and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
isa
It’s crazy I’m just finding this song in 2020 but I’m reading all these comments from 6 years ago....this song deserves more.
Basically Ghostie
I loved this when I was little, this song and Atlas Hand.
bruh moment
I discovered this song when I was like 10 or 11 and i swear this deserves more recognition😩
arrety
the goodness in this song is eternal
Ry Earl
So true
S S
Even though your faded glow
Won't burn through all your bars
You put out to put up
Even while your widening smile
Was shaking in the smoke
Your head was full of hope
Because I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we work and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
Even now when you know how
To measure up the risk
You're still not tired of this
Even when the pills you take
Turn you to a ghost
You still spin around the most
Because I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we worked and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
I am a member of the butterfly culture
Where we work and we take
We play and we pray to god
That the girl in that dress will undress
And distress you with the way that she moves
Harry Hardwick
this is one of the most beautiful things i've ever heard, his voice is just idk it's got this feel and it gives me goosebumps
Cennix
I can't begin to describe the emotions that this song brings up in me
Samuel Sampaio
Ó céus, que som maravilhoso !
Pusheen Cat
This is probably my favorite song. Ever.