Butterflies
Vermillion Skye Lyrics
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Hold them under water they can't fly away
Still I dread this crawling on my skin
The butterflies have found me, they want in
Bring down the monochrome; shelter my eyes
Give me something to calm the nerves
The perfect disguise
Draped in silence so they can't see
Let it wash over me
There you are fading through
Pressure's on, there's so much to do
Build yourself ten feet tall
Make them run, you can chase them all
You're the hero, you're the star
Who stands in the spotlight leading us far
Beyond the doubts we all must climb
To reach the other side
Feet of stone, heart of glass
No balance here and it makes me laugh
Lift me up, high above
Past the line; give them what they want
Time to cast off and face the sea
Lost in glory for posterity
"No need for fear" the Captain cries
"We'll reach the other side"
Oh, they're only butterflies
Oh, they're only butterflies, only butterflies...
The lyrics to Vermillion Skye's "Butterflies" convey a sense of anxiety and a yearning for inner peace. The opening lines state "Wash away their color / They're just gray", setting a tone that is both dark and ominous. The singer is grappling with something that the butterflies - which symbolize feelings of flightiness - have come to represent. They are seeking relief in the form of avoidance, hoping to stave off the unwanted feelings by holding the butterflies under water. Despite this attempt at control, the singer is still deeply affected by the butterflies, dreading their "crawling on my skin".
The second verse speaks to a desire for a calmer state, with the request to "Bring down the monochrome; shelter my eyes". The singer is searching for a way to distance themselves from their tumultuous emotions while still remaining connected to the world around them. They seek a "perfect disguise" that allows them to blend in with their surroundings and ease any pressure they may be feeling. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Oh, they're only butterflies", gives the audience insight into the singer's internal monologue - they are trying to convince themselves that the feelings they are experiencing are not as overwhelming as they may seem.
Overall, "Butterflies" is a song that deals with themes of anxiety, control, and self-deception. The lyrics paint a picture of a protagonist who is struggling to come to terms with their own emotional landscape and searching for a way to find inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Wash away their color they're just gray
Remove their dullness and make them vibrant
Hold them under water they can't fly away
Prevent them from escaping
Still I dread this crawling on my skin
Despite all measures, the feeling remains unsettling
The butterflies have found me, they want in
The unsettling feeling has become overwhelming
Bring down the monochrome; shelter my eyes
Eliminate the monotony and provide comfort
Give me something to calm the nerves
Bring peace and tranquility
The perfect disguise
A facade to hide the inner turmoil
Draped in silence so they can't see
Remain hidden from outside judgment
Let it wash over me
The calmness is welcome
There you are fading through
Becoming less visible
Pressure's on, there's so much to do
Overwhelmed with responsibility
Build yourself ten feet tall
Create the appearance of fearlessness
Make them run, you can chase them all
An urge to dominate
You're the hero, you're the star
A self-assigned role of importance
Who stands in the spotlight leading us far
A desire to be in control and lead others
Beyond the doubts we all must climb
Overcoming insecurities is a shared struggle
To reach the other side
To achieve something greater
Feet of stone, heart of glass
A sense of invincibility, but highly vulnerable
No balance here and it makes me laugh
A realization of the absurdity of it all
Lift me up, high above
An aspiration for greater heights
Past the line; give them what they want
Exceed expectations and satisfy needs
Time to cast off and face the sea
It is time to confront and overcome challenges
Lost in glory for posterity
The hope of being remembered
"No need for fear" the Captain cries
A reassuring tone to alleviate anxiety
"We'll reach the other side"
Success is certain
Oh, they're only butterflies
Insignificant worries in the grand scheme of things
Oh, they're only butterflies, only butterflies...
Repeated acknowledgement of their triviality
Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.