Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known as Chaka Khan, and… Read Full Bio ↴Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known as Chaka Khan, and frequently referred to as the "Queen of Funk", is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus.

In 1964, at the age of 11, Khan formed her first musical group, the Crystalettes. While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working on the Black Panthers' breakfast program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, the Babysitters — neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form Rufus.

Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled effort on the ABC label, Rufus was among the preeminent funk groups of the decade. Distinguished by Khan's dynamic vocals, the group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums.

While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and solo, include "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire".

Papillon
Chaka Khan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A faded photograph I mailed to you
With feelings I don't want to face
And a long song of surrender in blue
I remember when you took my breath away

Chanson papillon, we were very young
Like butterflies, like hot butterfly
Chanson papillon, we had just begun

We let it slide on by
We didn't realize

All our memories are burning in time
Like a bittersweet perfume
Can you tell me how a love that's so fine
Could have climaxed in a single afternoon

Chanson papillon, we were very young
Like butterflies, like hot butterfly
Chanson papillon, we had just begun
We let it slide on by
We didn't realize

Chanson papillon
Chanson papillon

Gone are the days of instant romance
And the nights of slow goodbyes
That was a time of life when foxy was the dance
But then you got wise to all my lies

Chanson papillon, we were very young
Like butterflies, like hot butterfly
Chanson papillon, we had just begun
Let it slide on by
Let it slide on by

Chanson papillon, we were very young
Like butterflies, like hot butterfly
Chanson papillon, we had just begun
Just begun to fly

Ooh, yeah, I wanna say

Chanson papillon, chanson
Chanson papillon, chanson
Chanson papillon, chanson

Chanson papillon, chanson
Chanson papillon, chanson

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Papillon" by Chaka Khan depict the bittersweet memories of a past relationship that ended abruptly, leaving unresolved emotions. The first verse talks about a faded photograph that is associated with feelings the singer is afraid to confront. The blue surrender song suggests a period of introspection, where the singer contemplates why the relationship failed. The second verse builds on the theme by talking about memories of the past, which are now just a bittersweet perfume. The third verse alludes to the passage of time, where the days of instant romance are over, and the nights of slow goodbyes are gone too.

The chorus of the song talks about being young, like butterflies, and not realizing that time was fleeting. The phrase "Chanson papillon" itself means "Butterfly song" in French, which is a motif throughout the song. The repetition of the phrase is interesting since it underscores the idea that the singer is trying to hold onto a past that is already gone.

Line by Line Meaning

A faded photograph I mailed to you With feelings I don't want to face And a long song of surrender in blue I remember when you took my breath away
I sent an old photo to you, along with emotions that I'm trying to avoid. The blue song signifies my surrender to you. I still recollect the moment when you completely swept me off my feet.

Chanson papillon, we were very young Like butterflies, like hot butterfly Chanson papillon, we had just begun We let it slide on by We didn't realize
We were young and carefree, just like butterflies that are hot and fluttery. We just started our journey together and let the time pass by. We didn't understand the significance of the moment.

All our memories are burning in time Like a bittersweet perfume Can you tell me how a love that's so fine Could have climaxed in a single afternoon
Our memories are like a fragrance that has a bittersweet effect. I'm wondering how our beautiful love ended so abruptly in only one afternoon.

Gone are the days of instant romance And the nights of slow goodbyes That was a time of life when foxy was the dance But then you got wise to all my lies
The moments of quick intimacy and slow farewells are gone. It was a time when we danced and felt sexy. But then you figured out all my deceptions.

Chanson papillon, we were very young Like butterflies, like hot butterfly Chanson papillon, we had just begun Let it slide on by Let it slide on by
We were like fresh butterflies in our youth, but we didn't realize the importance of each moment. We simply let it all pass by.

Chanson papillon, we were very young Like butterflies, like hot butterfly Chanson papillon, we had just begun Just begun to fly
We were so young and carefree, like hot and fluttery butterflies. We had just started our journey together and were just getting ready to soar.

Chanson papillon, chanson Chanson papillon, chanson Chanson papillon, chanson Chanson papillon, chanson Chanson papillon, chanson
The song 'Chanson Papillon' is repeated multiple times, signifying the significance of the butterfly's representation of life, freedom, and renewal.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY OLIVER DIAMOND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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