Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016), more commonly known m… Read Full Bio ↴Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016), more commonly known mononymously as Prince, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. The recipient of numerous awards and nominations, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona; his wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams; and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. Prince produced his albums himself, pioneering the Minneapolis sound. His music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, and hip hop.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19, soon releasing the albums For You (1978) and Prince (1979). He went on to achieve critical success with the influential albums Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). His sixth album, Purple Rain (1984), was recorded with his new backing band the Revolution, and was also the soundtrack to the film of the same name in which he starred. Purple Rain garnered continued success for Prince and was a major commercial achievement, spending six consecutive months atop the Billboard 200 chart. The soundtrack also won Prince the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. After disbanding the Revolution, Prince released the album Sign o' the Times (1987), widely hailed by critics as the greatest work of his career. In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol logo. Hollow circle above downward arrow crossed with a curlicued horn-shaped symbol and then a short bar (known to fans as the "Love Symbol") and was often referred to as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (or TAFKAP) or simply The Artist.

After signing with Arista Records in 1998, Prince reverted to his original name in 2000. Over the next decade, six of his albums entered the U.S. top 10 charts. In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died after accidentally overdosing on fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was a prolific musician who released 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased material left in a custom-built bank vault underneath his home after his death, including fully completed albums and over 50 finished music videos. He also released songs under multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made popular after being covered by other musicians, most notably "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor and "Manic Monday" by the Bangles. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. Released posthumously, his demo albums Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018) and Originals (2019) both received critical acclaim.

Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards included the Grammy President's Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016, and was inducted twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)

Studio albums
For You (1978)
Prince (1979)
Dirty Mind (1980)
Controversy (1981)
1999 (1982)
Purple Rain (1984)
Around the World in a Day (1985)
Parade (1986)
Sign o' the Times (1987)
Lovesexy (1988)
Batman (1989)
Graffiti Bridge (1990)
Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Love Symbol (1992)
Come (1994)
The Black Album (1994)
The Gold Experience (1995)
Chaos and Disorder (1996)
Emancipation (1996)
Crystal Ball (1998)
The Truth (1998)
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999)
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
The Rainbow Children (2001)
One Nite Alone... (2002)
Xpectation (2003)
N·E·W·S (2003)
The Chocolate Invasion (2004)
The Slaughterhouse (2004)
Musicology (2004)
3121 (2006)
Planet Earth (2007)
Lotusflow3r (2009)
MPLSound (2009)
20Ten (2010)
Plectrumelectrum (2014)
Art Official Age (2014)
HITnRUN Phase One (2015)
HITnRUN Phase Two (2015)

Posthumous releases:
Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018)
Originals (2019)
Welcome 2 America (2021)

Prince also released two albums credited to Madhouse, three albums credited to the New Power Generation, and one credited to the N.P.G. Orchestra:

Madhouse:
8 (1987)
16 (1987)

The New Power Generation:
Goldnigga (1993)
Exodus (1995)
Newpower Soul (1998)

The N.P.G. Orchestra:
Kamasutra (1997)

For Serbian singer Princ, please use Princ.

Why The Butterflies
Prince Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mama, mama
What's this strange, strange
Mama
Mama, what's this strange, strange
Mama
Why the butterflies?

Mama, mama what's this shaking in me?

Mama, what's this crazy swirling around?
Mama, why the butterflies?

Mama, mama
Open visions in my mind, mama
Mama
Mama, what's this
Mama, what's this
Mama, mama, mama
Why the butterflies?
Why the butterflies?

Oh, oh oh, oh oh ooh

Mama, where is father?
Mama, butterflies
Mama, where is father?
Mama, where
Mama, where
Mama, where
Why the butterflies?

Mama
Where am I?

What's this strange, strange
Why the butterflies?

Overall Meaning

In Prince's song "Why The Butterflies," the lyrics express a sense of confusion and curiosity from the perspective of a child addressing their mother. The repeated question, "Mama, mama, why the butterflies?" suggests a metaphorical representation of the emotions and sensations the child is experiencing. The mention of "shaking" and "crazy swirling" implies a feeling of inner turmoil or a rush of overwhelming emotions.

The child seeks understanding from their mother, asking for clarification about the unexpected "visions" and the strange occurrences happening within them. The repeated phrase, "Mama, what's this?" reflects their yearning for guidance and reassurance. The mention of the absent father adds another layer of uncertainty and longing, as the child seeks stability and presence in their life.

The line, "Mama, where am I?" hints at a feeling of displacement or disorientation, reinforcing the child's desire for their mother's support and guidance. Throughout the lyrics, the repetition of the word "strange" emphasizes the child's confusion and the need for their mother to explain the unknown.

Overall, "Why The Butterflies" explores themes of curiosity, confusion, and the search for understanding amidst a sea of unfamiliar sensations and experiences. It portrays the vulnerable perspective of a child seeking comfort and clarity from their mother.

Line by Line Meaning

Mama, mama
O beloved Mother, please listen

What's this strange, strange
What is this curious and unfamiliar happening

Mama
Mother

Mama, what's this strange, strange
Mother, what is this peculiar and extraordinary occurrence

Mama
Mother

Why the butterflies?
What is the reason behind the abundance of butterflies

Mama, mama what's this shaking in me?
Beloved Mother, what is this tremor within me?

Mama, what's this crazy swirling around?
Mother, what is this chaotic and swirling sensation

Mama, why the butterflies?
Mother, why are the butterflies present in this situation

Mama, mama
Dear Mother, please hear me

Open visions in my mind, mama
My mind is filled with vivid visions, mother