The Butterfly Collector
The Jam Lyrics
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You've achieved your aim by making the walking lame
And when you just can't get any higher
You use your senses to suss out this week's climber
And the small fame that you've acquired
Has brought you into cult status
But to me you're still a collector
You're a different kind 'cause you want their minds
And you just don't care 'cause you've got no pride
It's just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you
And you started looking much older
And your fashion sense is second-rate like your perfume
But to you in your little dream world
You're still the queen of the butterfly collectors
As you carry on 'cause it's all you know
You can't light a fire, you can't cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off
And I don't care about morals
'Cause the world's insane and we're all to blame anyway
And I don't feel any sorrow
Towards the kings and queens of the butterfly collectors
There's tarts and whores but you're much more
You're a different kind 'cause you want their minds
And you just don't care 'cause you've got no pride
It's just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you
You carry on 'cause it's all you know
You can't light a fire, you can't cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off
And I don't feel any sorrow
Towards the kings and queens of the butterfly collectors
The Jam's "The Butterfly Collector" is a biting commentary on fame, obsession, and the pursuit of personal satisfaction through the manipulation and collection of others. The song's subject is a collector, someone who achieves their goals by making the "walking lame" and targets new potential victims each week. The collector has achieved a certain cult status through their methods, but to the singer of the song, they are still nothing more than a collector.
The lyrics also touch on the collector's insatiable desire for attention and the power that it brings. The collector is obsessed with the minds of their targets, wanting to possess them in a way that goes beyond physical attraction. But in their pursuit of personal satisfaction, the collector has lost touch with reality and the things that truly matter in life, like the ability to take care of oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
So you finally got what you wanted
You have accomplished your goal
You've achieved your aim by making the walking lame
You have succeeded by harming others
And when you just can't get any higher
When you can no longer climb any further
You use your senses to suss out this week's climber
You use your instincts to spot those who are vulnerable
And the small fame that you've acquired
The little recognition you have attained
Has brought you into cult status
It has elevated you to be idolized by some
But to me you're still a collector
To me, you are still just someone who collects
There's tarts and whores but you're much more
There are promiscuous women, but you have a different motivation
You're a different kind 'cause you want their minds
Your interest is in their thoughts and personalities
And you just don't care 'cause you've got no pride
You lack self-respect and are unashamed of your actions
It's just a face on your pillowcase that thrills you
You derive pleasure from seeing their pictures on your bedding
And you started looking much older
You have aged noticeably
And your fashion sense is second-rate like your perfume
Your style is inferior, like your scent
But to you in your little dream world
In your imagination
You're still the queen of the butterfly collectors
You are still the ruler of those you prey upon
As you carry on 'cause it's all you know
You continue because it's all you're capable of doing
You can't light a fire, you can't cook or sew
You lack basic survival skills
You get from day to day by filling your head
You distract yourself from reality
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs has worn off
You must be aware that your sexual appeal has decreased
And I don't care about morals
Morality is not a concern for me
'Cause the world's insane and we're all to blame anyway
Because the world is in chaos and we are all responsible for it
And I don't feel any sorrow towards the kings and queens of the butterfly collectors
I have no pity for those who manipulate and prey on others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul John Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheStein474
"And I don't care about morals,cos the world's insane and we are all to blame in a way" is gotta to be the best line from any song ever
@manu-tonyo9654
anyway
@peterglynn5181
Incredible stuff , how someone so young could write such lyrics and tune.
@pauleyles9536
Hiya m8. I really adore The Jam track ie. The Butterfly Collecter. I'm a self t0 sound affect impressionist 4 I can copy the sounds of Cosham and Bedhampton level crossing with the 2 gates coming down, a class 205 train departing from a railway station or 2 class 205 🚆 s passing each other at speed and even a drum kit 2 my favourite music on my iPod. Which sounds like the real thing.
@simonchaddock3694
And me kid!
@juveale29
The Jam and the Ants had one thing in common. Their B-Sides were often better than their A-Sides.
@keefevo
A jam b-side that is better than anything in the top 40 singles charts right now and that's a fact
@andrewshaw7878
Still a fact.
@harrypagetflashman1
Like comparing apples and oranges
@denzil4
Has to be their best B side . Paul Weller put a lot in to the B side unlike some artists who just put an instrumental on the B side. Tales From The Riverbank was also brilliant