Beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Parker sang in small-time amateur English bands such as the Black Rockers and Deep Cut Three, while working in dead-end jobs at a glove factory and a petrol station. In late 1974 he placed an ad in Britain’s "Melody Maker" music mag seeking like-minded musicians and he began performing professionally. In 1975, he recorded a few demo tracks in London with Dave Robinson, who would shortly found Stiff Records and who connected Parker with his first backing band of note.
Graham Parker & the Rumour (with Brinsley Schwarz and Martin Belmont on guitar, Bob Andrews on keyboards, Andrew Bodnar on bass and Steve Goulding on drums) formed in the summer of 1975 and began doing the rounds of the British pub rock scene. Their first album, Howlin' Wind, was released to acclaim in 1976 and rapidly followed by the stylistically similar Heat Treatment. A mixture of rock, ballads, and reggae-influenced numbers, these albums reflected Parker's early influences (Motown, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan) and contained the songs which formed the core of Parker's live shows -- "White Honey", "Soul Shoes", "Lady Doctor", "Fool's Gold", and his early signature tune "Don't Ask Me Questions", which hit the top 40 in the UK. Like the pub rock scene he was loosely tied to, the singer's class-conscious lyrics and passionate vocals signaled a renewal of rock music as punk rock began to flower in Britain.
Parker preceded the other "new wave" English singer-songwriters, Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. Early in his career his work was often compared favorably to theirs, and for decades journalists would continue to categorize them together, long after the artists' work had diverged. Characteristically, Parker would not hesitate to criticize this habit with caustic wit.
The first two albums' critical acclaim was generally not matched with LP sales. Graham Parker and the Rumour appeared on BBC television's Top of the Pops in 1976, performing their top 30 hit version of The Trammps' "Hold Back the Night".
At this point, Parker began to change his songwriting style, reflecting his desire to break into the American market. The first fruits of this new direction appeared on Stick To Me (1977). The album broke the top 20 on the UK charts but divided critical opinions.
Energized by his new label, Arista, and the presence of legendary producer Jack Nitzsche, Parker followed with Squeezing Out Sparks (1979), widely held to be the best album of his career. For this album, The Rumour's brass section, prominent on all previous albums, was jettisoned, resulting in a spare, intense rock backing for some of Parker's most brilliant songs. Of particular note was "You Can't Be Too Strong", one of rock music's rare songs to confront the topic of abortion, however ambivalently.
Squeezing out Sparks is still ranked by fans and critics alike as one of the finest rock albums ever made. Rolling Stone named it #335 [1] on their 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In an early 1987 Rolling Stone list of their top 100 albums from 1967-1987, Squeezing Out Sparks was ranked at #45, while Howlin' Wind came in at #54 [2].
Although marginally less intense than its predecessor, 1980's The Up Escalator was Parker's highest-charting album in the UK and featured glossy production by Jimmy Iovine and guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen. Nevertheless it was Parker's last album with the Rumour, although guitarist Brinsley Schwarz would join most of the singer's albums through the decade's end.
The 1980s were Parker's most commercially successful years, with well-financed recordings and radio and video play. Over the decade, the British press turned unkind to him, but he continued to tour the world with top backing bands, and his 1985 release Steady Nerves included his only US Top 40 hit, "Wake Up (Next to You)". The singer began living mostly in the United States during this time.
In early 2011, Parker reunited with all five original members of The Rumour to record a new album. The record, titled Three Chords Good, was released in November 2012.
Kid With the Butterfly Net
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
G see g see g
She walks through the field, walks in the heat through the field
G see g see d
She swings with her arm, but can what she catches be real
Em see em see
And when you look into her eyes, you see what you want
When everything was undone, every field was open nothing was impossible yet
G bm see g see g
For the kid with the butterfly net the kid with the butterfly net. (intro once)
There's a stream runs through this land runs through the heart of this land
There's a heart beats in this home beats in the heart of this home
And when you see her by the water you see what you want to
And all the chains around you cannot keep you prisoner they haven't been made yet
For the kid with the butterfly net the kid with the butterfly net. (intro)
Bridge
Em see em see
And when you close your eyes you don't see a thing
Em see see d
You just remember that you were meant to have wings
G bm see g see g
For the kid with the butterfly net the kid with the butterfly net.
She runs through the field runs through the grass in the field
She swings with her arm but can what she catches be real
And when you look into her eyes you see what what you want to
See bm see bm
And all the darkness in you flies out through the window
All the sunlight outside burns down inside you
All the chains around you could not keep you prisoner
See d g bm see
They haven't been forged yet for the kid with the butterfly net
G bm see g bm see
For the kid with the butterfly net for the kid with the butterfly net
G see g
The kid with the butterfly net. (repeat intro)
D g
The kid with the butterfly net. (fiddle over) g / see / d / d (3 times)
/pre>
The song "The Kid With The Butterfly Net" by Graham Parker is a reflective and nostalgic piece about childhood and the innocence and curiosity that come with it. The song opens with a description of a girl walking through a field in the heat, swinging her butterfly net. The lyrics suggest that as a child, she saw everything as possible and nothing was impossible, but as she grows up, she realizes that life is more complex than that. The song then speaks of a stream that runs through the land and a heart that beats in the home, evoking feelings of nostalgia and longing for simpler times.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "for the kid with the butterfly net," emphasizing the innocence and wonder of childhood. The bridge connects this concept of childhood to the idea of freedom by suggesting that we were all "meant to have wings." The song encourages listeners to hold onto the imaginative and inquisitive spirit of youth and not let life's challenges hold them back.
Overall, "The Kid With The Butterfly Net" is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the innocence and freedom of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
She walks through the field, walks in the heat through the field
The girl is walking through the field under the hot sun.
She swings with her arm, but can what she catches be real
The girl is trying to catch butterflies with her net and wondering if it's possible.
And when you look into her eyes, you see what you want
When you see the girl's eyes, you project your own desires onto her.
When everything was undone, every field was open nothing was impossible yet
There was a time when anything felt possible and limitless.
For the kid with the butterfly net the kid with the butterfly net.
This line repeats the title and highlights the girl's childish innocence and wonder.
There's a stream runs through this land runs through the heart of this land
The stream represents the heart and vitality of the land.
There's a heart beats in this home beats in the heart of this home
The heart of the home is beating with life and love.
And when you see her by the water you see what you want to
Just like when you see her in the field, you view the girl through your personal desires.
And all the chains around you cannot keep you prisoner they haven't been made yet
There are no chains made to hold people down. Limitations are self-imposed and breakable.
And when you close your eyes you don't see a thing
Closing your eyes doesn't make you blind, it opens up your imagination.
You just remember that you were meant to have wings
You have a natural ability to fly and be free.
And all the darkness in you flies out through the window
Negative emotions and thoughts can dissipate with the right mindset.
All the sunlight outside burns down inside you
There's a fire inside you that matches the intensity of the outside world.
They haven't been forged yet for the kid with the butterfly net
No chains or obstacles have been created yet to hold back the girl's curiosity and imagination.
The kid with the butterfly net.
This line repeats the title and emphasizes the girl's playful spirit and innocence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Colonna
The Kid With The Butterfly Net
She walks through the field
Walks in the heat through the field
She swings with her arm
But can what she catches be real
And when you look into her eyes
You see what you want
When everything was undone, every field was open
Nothing was impossible yet
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
There's a stream runs through this land
Runs through the heart of this land
There's a heart beats in this home
Beats in the heart of this home
And when you see her by the water
You see what you want to
And all the chains around you cannot keep you prisoner
They haven't been made yet
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
And when you close your eyes
You don't see a thing
You just remember
That you were meant to have wings
Find more lyrics at ※ Mojim.com
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
She runs through the field
Runs through the grass in the field
She swings with her arm
But can what she catches be real
And when you look into her eyes
You see what what you want to
And all the darkness in you
Flies out through the window
All the sunlight outside burns down inside you
All the chains around you
Could not keep you prisoner
They haven't been forged yet
For the kid with the butterfly net
For the kid with the butterfly net
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
Gavin Bishop
Struck By Lightning is full of wonders. After 23 years this song sounds timeless. I liked Graham with the Rumour but this "comeback" solo album is a true measure of his artistic vision.
Simon Russell
This song brings back the great memories from my childhood.
iesus68
"Nothing was impossible yet for the kid with the butterfly net". I'd love forever Graham only for this line.
Allan Reid
Struck By Lightning is one of the best albums ever. Not one bad song on it. A classic!!
paul yoes
I love how he brings adults back to their childhood...
Mark Colonna
The Kid With The Butterfly Net
She walks through the field
Walks in the heat through the field
She swings with her arm
But can what she catches be real
And when you look into her eyes
You see what you want
When everything was undone, every field was open
Nothing was impossible yet
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
There's a stream runs through this land
Runs through the heart of this land
There's a heart beats in this home
Beats in the heart of this home
And when you see her by the water
You see what you want to
And all the chains around you cannot keep you prisoner
They haven't been made yet
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
And when you close your eyes
You don't see a thing
You just remember
That you were meant to have wings
Find more lyrics at ※ Mojim.com
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
She runs through the field
Runs through the grass in the field
She swings with her arm
But can what she catches be real
And when you look into her eyes
You see what what you want to
And all the darkness in you
Flies out through the window
All the sunlight outside burns down inside you
All the chains around you
Could not keep you prisoner
They haven't been forged yet
For the kid with the butterfly net
For the kid with the butterfly net
For the kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
The kid with the butterfly net
sundar mann
For anyone who happens to be here by chance, this album is a MUST have!
Believe me..!!
Scott Briggs
This song still just really gets to me right in the gut. We saw Geep with Brinsley two years ago in Port Washington LI, they didn't do this song,
but gosh I wish they had. I was almost ready to run up and hand him a slip of paper requesting it, but restrained myself. Still a fantastic show though. This is
easily my favorite song on that album, by a mile.
WWB
The most under rated singer song writer ever
henrysgigs1
Brilliant song featuring The Band's Garth Hudson on Hammond organ.. From 1991