Butterfly
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Butterfly
A laughing salesman sings
His world so far away
Butterfly
Butterfly (repeat)
'Cause you're mine
And I don't know what to say
You could let my smile disappear for a year
'Cause you're mine
That's the only way I like it to be
Butterfly (repeat)
Now we get to the best part
It happens all the time, telling me all your lies
You get your kicks from seeing me on the floor
Tied to your bed
Tied to the things you said
Butterfly coming back
Butterfly coming back
Butterfly
The Verve's Butterfly is a somber song with deep and layered lyrics that explore themes of power, control, and pain. In the first verse, the lyrics speak to the fragility of life, and how anything can change in an instant. The metaphor of the butterfly's wings flapping a thousand miles away is used to describe the ripple effect of small actions and how they can have a big impact. The second line, "A laughing salesman sings, his world so far away" is a powerful image that evokes feelings of isolation and loneliness. The butterfly then repeats, emphasizing its symbolic significance.
As the song progresses, the lyrics take a darker turn. The chorus repeats, with the singer acknowledging the power their partner holds over them. The lines "You could take the storm away forever every day, 'cause you're mine" and "You could let my smile disappear for a year, 'cause you're mine" show a willingness to submit to the will of the partner, even if it's at the expense of their own happiness.
The final verse explores the theme of control even further. The line "It happens all the time, telling me all your lies" speaks to the partner's manipulative nature. The lines "You get your kicks from seeing me on the floor, tied to your bed, tied to the things you said" suggest a BDSM-type relationship where control is a central theme. The song ends with "Butterfly coming back" which suggests that despite the pain and control, the singer is still drawn to the partner like a moth to a flame.
Line by Line Meaning
You could flap you wings a thousand miles away
Regardless of how far away you may be, your actions still have an effect on the people around you.
Butterfly
A symbol of change and transformation.
A laughing salesman sings
A person who appears to be happy and jovial on the surface may actually be hiding something underneath.
His world so far away
Despite being physically present, a person can still feel distant from the people and events around them.
You could take the storm away forever every day
The effect that someone has on your life can be profound and long-lasting.
'Cause you're mine
The power dynamics in a relationship can be complex and unequal.
And I don't know what to say
The emotional impact that someone can have on you can leave you feeling speechless and uncertain.
You could let my smile disappear for a year
The emotional manipulation and control that someone can exert over another person can be devastating.
That's the only way I like it to be
Despite the negative effects, some people may still choose to remain in abusive or toxic relationships.
Now we get to the best part
The song's tone shifts, perhaps to indicate the darker side of the relationship that was alluded to earlier.
It happens all the time, telling me all your lies
The betrayal and deception that can occur in a relationship can damage the trust and intimacy between two people.
You get your kicks from seeing me on the floor
The abuse and mistreatment that can occur in a relationship can be a source of pleasure or power for some individuals.
Tied to your bed
A literal representation of the control and dominance that one person may have over another in a relationship.
Tied to the things you said
The psychological impact that negative words and actions can have on a person can be just as powerful as physical abuse.
Butterfly coming back
The end of the song returns to the theme of transformation, suggesting that even in the darkest moments of a relationship, there is always the possibility for change and growth.
Butterfly
A final affirmation of the song's central metaphor, and a reminder that though we may be fragile and delicate, we have a resiliency and beauty that cannot be extinguished.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHAN MORAEUS, GAVIN JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind