Young also records under the names Sky Sailing, Port Blue, Color Therapy, Insect Airport, Seagull Orchestra and his own name, Adam Young.
Young started out making music in 2007 in his basement in his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, United States, later developing a following through his MySpace profile before being signed to Universal Republic. Young has released seven albums under the Owl City moniker: "Maybe I'm Dreaming" (2008), "Ocean Eyes" (2009), "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (2011), "The Midsummer Station" (2012), "Mobile Orchestra" (2015), "Cinematic" (2018), and "Coco Moon" (2023). Young's 2009 single "Fireflies" reached #1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and The Netherlands. His second major hit, 2012's "Good Time" featuring Carly Rae Jepsen reached #8 in the US and #1 in New Zealand.
He was also once a member of Windsor Airlift and Swimming with Dolphins, both of which he is no longer involved with.
Butterfly Wings
Owl City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd be my thunderstorm
It's cold, so surround me
With rain clouds to keep me warm
I feel like I'm falling
So darling, don't let me go
The thought is appalling
Will you remember me
Asleep in the warm cocoons
We dream of lovely things
We're both gonna wake up soon
So we hope that tomorrow brings
Us our "Butterfly Wings"
If I was a grain of sand
Would you be Miami Beach
So dusty with starlight
Close your eyes and cuddle close to me
I'll try not to wake you
Or make a sound while you're dozing off
But in the night should the high tides
Sweep me away from you
Tell me again my dear, will you be waiting here
Whenever we leave the ground
And take to the sky
I'll smile as I'm gazing down
'Cause I've always wondered why
We won't need feathers to fly
The lyrics of Owl City’s “Butterfly Wings” center on the theme of love and its ability to provide warmth and comfort in the midst of struggles. The opening lines compare the persona to a raindrop and their lover to a ‘thunderstorm’. The raindrop is in search of warmth and protection and seeks to find it through the surrounding ‘rain clouds’ or their lover. The singer is falling and they hope their lover doesn’t let them go, and if they were to fall, they hope to be remembered.
The next verse continues the use of metaphors to describe the relationship between the two lovers, invoking the imagery of cocoons turning into butterflies. The cocoon represents the warm and safe space the persona occupies with their lover as they dream of lovely things, and they hope that tomorrow will bring them their ‘Butterfly Wings’. The chorus continues to explore the theme of flying and the possibility of taking to the skies without feathers.
The bridge of the song shifts gears and employs another metaphor, comparing the persona to a grain of sand and their lover to Miami Beach. This portrays the persona as tiny and insignificant compared to their lover, who provides them with a sense of awe and wonder. However, the final lines of this stanza reveal the vulnerability of their relationship as the persona wonders whether their lover will be waiting for them should they be swept away.
Overall, the lyrics of “Butterfly Wings” provide a comforting and hopeful view of relationships despite their inherent struggles. The use of metaphors and imagery enhances the mood of the song and provides the listener with an uplifting feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was a raindrop
Comparing oneself to a raindrop, indicating vulnerability
You'd be my thunderstorm
Comparing someone dear to a powerful, bustling thunderstorm as a protector or guardian
It's cold, so surround me
Expressing the need for comfort and warmth during a difficult time
With rain clouds to keep me warm
A poetic metaphor representing the emotional comfort that someone can provide another person
I feel like I'm falling
An expression of vulnerability and uncertainty
So darling, don't let me go
A plea to someone to offer stability and support
The thought is appalling
Expressing the fear of abandonment or loss
But should I slip away into the stormy sea
Contemplating the possibility of separation or loss
Will you remember me
An expression of hope to be remembered despite possible distance or loss
Asleep in the warm cocoons
A metaphorical reference to a state of comfort and safety
We dream of lovely things
An expression of hope for a positive future
We're both gonna wake up soon
Anticipation for change or a new beginning
So we hope that tomorrow brings
Hope for a better future
Us our "Butterfly Wings"
A poetic reference to the ability to change or transform
If I was a grain of sand
A comparison indicating smallness and insignificance
Would you be Miami Beach
A comparison indicating vibrance and excitement
So dusty with starlight
A metaphor for brightness or radiance
Close your eyes and cuddle close to me
A comforting request for someone to feel protected and secure
I'll try not to wake you
A thoughtful action to avoid disturbing someone's peace
Or make a sound while you're dozing off
A continuation of the above sentiment
But in the night should the high tides
An indication of possible danger or struggle
Sweep me away from you
An expression of separation or loss
Tell me again my dear, will you be waiting here
A plea for assurance and support
Whenever we leave the ground
A metaphorical reference to the act of going on a journey or facing difficulty
And take to the sky
A metaphorical reference to embarking on a new adventure or overcoming a challenge
I'll smile as I'm gazing down
An expression of triumph or relief
'Cause I've always wondered why
An expression of curiosity or contemplation
We won't need feathers to fly
An expression of personal or collective strength and resilience
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM R. YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind