Butterflies
Juliana Hatfield & Evan Dando Lyrics


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I'm trying to get through this night
Without any help from anyone
I close my eyes and try to breathe
After a while I drift off to sleep

And then I see butterflies everywhere
Landing on my palms and in my hair
So fragile and beautiful
Like all the souls of people

So easily broken
Wings can be torn apart by a hard rain
A red, red rain
A red, red rain





Butterflies everywhere
Landing on my palms and in my hair

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Juliana Hatfield and Evan Dando's song "Butterflies" seem to be describing a moment of vulnerability, maybe even fear or anxiety, that ultimately leads to a peaceful slumber with a dream-like vision of butterflies. The first two lines suggest a desire to face whatever internal struggles are present alone, without any external assistance. "I close my eyes and try to breathe" adds to this notion of self-reliance and introspection. It's not clear what the singer is struggling with, though - maybe it's a creative block, maybe it's a heartache, maybe it's something darker. The line "after a while I drift off to sleep" suggests that the struggle is eventually resolved, at least for the night.


The second half of the song depicts the singer's dream of butterflies. The imagery of butterflies is often associated with transformation, beauty, and fragility. The butterflies are described as "fragile and beautiful", which could be a reflection of how the singer sees themselves or others. The line "like all the souls of people" adds a bit of weight to the imagery, suggesting that the butterflies represent something fundamental about human nature. The final lines of the song introduce a darker note, with the mention of rain that could rip the butterflies' wings apart. This could be a metaphor for the inevitability of heartbreak or suffering.


Overall, the lyrics of "Butterflies" suggest a complex emotional landscape where the desire for independence and self-sufficiency collides with a recognition of the vulnerability and fragility of life.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm trying to get through this night
I'm struggling to endure tonight alone


Without any help from anyone
I don't want to rely on anyone for support


I close my eyes and try to breathe
I'm attempting to calm myself down


After a while I drift off to sleep
Eventually, I fall asleep


And then I see butterflies everywhere
In my dream, I witness butterflies all around me


Landing on my palms and in my hair
The butterflies are drawn to me and rest on my hands and hair


So fragile and beautiful
Butterflies are delicate and stunning creatures


Like all the souls of people
The fragility of butterflies is reminiscent of the delicate nature of humans


So easily broken
Both butterflies and humans can be broken easily


Wings can be torn apart by a hard rain
Butterfly wings can be damaged by harsh weather conditions


A red, red rain
This could represent blood or a tumultuous event


Butterflies everywhere
The abundance of butterflies in my dream continues


Landing on my palms and in my hair
Butterflies still take refuge on my hands and hair




Contributed by Lucas V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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