The line-up of the group has changed several times during the years they have performed together, but consists of sisters:
* Anne (born November 12, 1950)
* Denise (born April 9, 1952)
* Maureen (born June 14, 1954)
* Linda (born February 23, 1959)
* Bernadette (born Bernadette Therese Nolan, October 17, 1960)
* Coleen (born March 12, 1965).
Dragonfly
The Nolans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you don't realize it
You could make the break through to my heart
If you could only find it
What you want is what you see
And you don't care what's hurtin' me
I always seem to be on show
An ornament you can't let go
*Dragonfly
That's all I seem to be, yeah yeah
Dragonfly
That's all you want to see, yeah yeah
One day your paper house will blow away
You'll see when you reach for me
Your dragonfly will spread her wings
And I'll be free
Sometimes when we kiss I see you smile
But there's no love behind it
We had love, it stood firm for a while
But then you undermined it
You took my body and left my soul
You won't return the heart you stole
And I'm just left out in the rain
Until I'm put on show again
Repeat*
The Nolans' song Dragonfly is a poignant ballad that delves into themes of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The song opens by acknowledging the distance that has crept into the singer's relationship with their significant other. Despite the visible and emotional distance, the singer has held out hope that their lover will make a breakthrough to their heart if they only try hard enough. However, the lover remains oblivious to the emotional toll that their indifference has caused, and all that the singer feels is that they are merely an ornament that their lover cannot let go.
The chorus of the song introduces an allegory - the dragonfly. It signifies the freedom that the singer desires, the ability to break free from the shackles that bind them to their uncaring lover. However, the singer also knows that they're nothing more than the dragonfly in their lover's eyes. A fleeting object of fascination, with no depth or emotional significance. The singer envisages a future where their paper house, their false veneer of happiness, will collapse, and they will finally feel free to spread their wings and soar.
The second verse of the song talks about how the singer and their lover had love that stood firm for a while. However, the lover has undermined the relationship's foundation, stolen the singer's heart and left them with nothing but a shell of their former self. The singer is left in the rain, holding out for another chance to be put on show, only to be neglected time and again. The song's lyrics are melancholic, highlighting the pain of unrequited love and how it can impact a person's emotional well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes we're a million miles apart
Sometimes we feel emotionally disconnected
But you don't realize it
But you don't seem to be aware of it
You could make the break through to my heart
You could bridge the emotional gap between us
If you could only find it
If only you could understand what's needed
What you want is what you see
You only care about what meets your needs
And you don't care what's hurtin' me
You don't seem to worry about causing me pain
I always seem to be on show
I feel like you're constantly putting me on display
An ornament you can't let go
I feel like you see me as merely an object to possess
Dragonfly
A metaphor for how the artist feels - fragile, fleeting, yet beautiful
That's all I seem to be, yeah yeah
That's all the artist feels they are to the other person
Dragonfly
A continuing metaphor for the singer
That's all you want to see, yeah yeah
That's all the other person seems interested in seeing
One day your paper house will blow away
One day, the fragile illusion that the other person has built will crumble
You'll see when you reach for me
You'll realize this when you try to come back to me
Your dragonfly will spread her wings
The singer will be free and move on
And I'll be free
The artist will be free from the other person's grip
Sometimes when we kiss I see you smile
Sometimes it seems like there's still hope in the relationship
But there's no love behind it
But the feelings are just surface-level
We had love, it stood firm for a while
There was once a true loving connection between us
But then you undermined it
But you slowly chipped away at it until it fell apart
You took my body and left my soul
You used the artist for pleasure but left their emotions behind
You won't return the heart you stole
You refuse to give back the love you took and discarded
And I'm just left out in the rain
The singer is left feeling abandoned and vulnerable
Until I'm put on show again
Until the other person decides to use the artist again
Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
greatbyrondo
Wow....really like this song!
I just discovered The Nolans tonight!!!! (been watching their vids all evening)
Β Love the sister harmonies, the dancing....and energy!!! (not to mention the smiles)
I can see why they were so popular!
Wish they would have come over to the USA!
Susie Mcpolin
I no all the nolan song
Shelley Lyme
greatbyrondo Yes, there was always a natural warmth in their performances. Sweet and sexy in a very relaxed, not-trying-too-hard kind of way π
Morrie Holmes
Wonderful ladies at their best and there was so much more to come. Love you ladies.
Eurobouy
I loved this. Very under rated and unappreciated. β€οΈ
Eurobouy
The best Nolans song everβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Yvonne Smith
Love The Nolans β€οΈ Their Sister Denise is amazing! β€οΈ
Tawi Dave
Only real Nolans fans will love this song
Pat Mackey
Dont know how I could of missed these girls The Nolans.i just love them.where and what was I doing to miss The Nolans .I cant remember.need to find out where the recording can be bought.anyone does anyone know.
steevo62
I thought I knew all their hits, but this one passed me by !