Mraz told the story of the song to Rolling Stone (Source Butterfly Songfacts) : "When I took a break to make this record, I joined my roommate Bushwalla's band — I was the guitarist and background vocalist. There was a young woman in the band who would also do a burlesque show and invited us to go see her. And I was watching this burlesque show thinking, 'Man, I wonder if my music is played in any exotic clubs anywhere in the world? I sincerely doubt it.' That challenged me: I went home, and I thought, 'I'm going to see if I can't write a song that a young woman would want to model her shoes to.' I don't know if the girl ever found out, but it's definitely one of the more fun songs in the live show."
Butterfly
Jason Mraz Lyrics
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I'm your pole and all you're wearing is your shoes
You got soul, you know what to do to turn me on until I write a song about you
And you have your own engaging style
And you've got the knack to vivify
And you make my slacks a little tight
You may unfasten them if you like
But you don't fold, you don't fade
You got everything you need, especially me
Sister, you've got it all
You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk
Sister, you've got it all
You got it all
Curl your upper lip up and let me look around and
Ride your tongue along your bottom lip then bite down and
Bend your back and ask those hips if I can touch
'Cause they're the perfect jumping off point
Getting closer to your butterfly
Will you float on by?
Oh, kiss me with your eyelashes tonight
Or Eskimo, your nose real close to mine
And let's mood the lights and finally make it right
But you don't fold, you don't fade
You got everything you need, especially me
Sister, you've got it all
You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk
Sister, you've got it all
You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all, woo, hey baby, uh
You've got it all
Doll, I need to see you pull your knee socks up
Let me feel you upside down, slide in, slide out
Slide over here, climb into my mouth now child
Butterfly, well, you landed on my mind
Damn right, you landed on my ear and then you crawled inside
And now I see you perfectly behind closed eyes
I want to fly with you and I don't want to lie to you
'Cause I, 'cause I can't recall a better day
So I'm coming to shine on the occasion
You're an open-minded lady, you've got it all
And I never forget a face
Except for maybe my own, I have my days
And let's face the fact here
It's you who's got it all
You know that fortune favors the brave
Well, let me get paid while I make your breakfast
The rest is up to you, you make the call
You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk
Sister, you've got it all
I can't recall a better day
So I'm coming to shine on the occasion
Hey sophisticated lady, oh, you got it all
You got it all, you got it all
You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all, hey! You got it all, woo
You got it all, hey
You got it all
Butterfly, baby, well, you got it all
In "Butterfly," Jason Mraz is expressing his desire for a girl and how he is drawn to her when he's imagining dancing with her. He is mesmerized by her and imagines her as his muse. She is a free spirit with her own style, and he admires that about her. He is enticed by her body language, and the way she moves when she dances. As he sings about her, he gets into more detail about how he imagines being with her and all the things he wants to do with her. He calls her "sister" throughout the song, which could be interpreted as a term of endearment or a way to show respect to this woman.
Mraz also mentions how she's got everything she needs, especially him. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy and feels that he has a special connection with her. He refers to her as a butterfly and compares himself to a pole, awaiting her dance. He is hoping that she will let him be a part of her life and dance through it with her.
Overall, the song is about love, attraction, and admiration. It's about how Mraz is drawn to this girl and feels like he needs to be with her. He describes all the little things he loves about her and why he thinks she's so special. "Butterfly" is a beautiful representation of love at first sight and the intense feelings that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm taking a moment just imagining that I'm dancing with you
I'm visualizing dancing with you and enjoying the moment
I'm your pole and all you're wearing is your shoes
You have full control over me and I find you attractive in the simplest way
You got soul, you know what to do to turn me on until I write a song about you
You have a certain charm that captivates me and inspires my creativity
And you have your own engaging style
You have a unique and captivating way about you
And you've got the knack to vivify
You possess the talent to enliven and inspire
And you make my slacks a little tight
You make me feel aroused and excited
You may unfasten them if you like
You have the power to arouse me and make me lose control
That's if you crash and spend the night
Only if you decide to take our encounter further and stay over
But you don't fold, you don't fade
Despite any difficulties or hardships, you remain strong and vibrant
You got everything you need, especially me
You possess all the qualities and assets required for a happy and fulfilled life, including me
Sister, you've got it all
You possess everything one could hope for in a person
You make the call to make my day
You hold the power to brighten my day and make me happy
In your message say my name
Simply hearing you say my name is enough to make me happy
Your talk is all the talk
Your words and ideas are powerful and captivating
You got it all
You possess all the qualities and attributes that make a person great
Curl your upper lip up and let me look around and
Give me a seductive and alluring look with your mouth and let me admire you
Ride your tongue along your bottom lip then bite down and
Tease and entice me with your tongue and mouth
Bend your back and ask those hips if I can touch
Arch your back and show off your curves while giving me permission to touch you
'Cause they're the perfect jumping off point
Your hips are a perfect starting point for our physical intimacy
Getting closer to your butterfly
Getting closer to the intimate and vulnerable parts of you
Will you float on by?
Will you allow yourself to become vulnerable and intimate with me?
Oh, kiss me with your eyelashes tonight
Give me a soft and seductive kiss using your eyelashes
Or Eskimo, your nose real close to mine
Give me an intimate and playful Eskimo kiss
And let's mood the lights and finally make it right
Let's create a romantic atmosphere and make our physical intimacy perfect
Hey sophisticated lady, oh, you got it all
You possess all the qualities and assets required to be considered a sophisticated and attractive lady
You know that fortune favors the brave
Taking risks and being brave can lead to great rewards and success
Well, let me get paid while I make your breakfast
I will be happy to do something for you while also earning money
The rest is up to you, you make the call
The decision of what to do next is entirely up to you
Lyrics © Goo-Eyed Music
Written by: Jason Mraz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind