Butterfly
Weezer / live Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yesterday, I went outside
With my momma's mason jar
Caught a lovely butterfly
When I woke up today
Looked in on my fairy pet
She had withered all away
No more sighing in her breast
I'm sorry for what I did
I did what my body told me to
I didn't mean to do you harm
Every time I pin down what I think I want
It slips away, the ghost slips away

Smell you on my hand for days
I can't wash away your scent
If I'm a dog, then you're a bitch
I guess you're as real as me
Maybe I can live with that
Maybe I need fantasy
Life of chasing butterfly

I'm sorry for what I did
I did what my body told me to
I didn't mean to do you harm
Every time I pin down what I think I want
It slips away, the ghost slips away

I told you I would return
When the robin makes his nest
But I ain't never coming back





I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Weezer/Live's song Butterfly tell the story of a person who catches a butterfly in a mason jar and keeps it as a pet. The next day, they check on their fairy-like pet only to find that it has withered away. The person is distressed at what they have done and apologizes. They question their own desires and wonder if they are as "real" as the butterfly. They apologize again, indicating that they will not be coming back.


The lyrics are a metaphor for the singer's relationship, potentially with another person or with their own desires. The "butterfly" represents something that they think they want, something they pursue, but ultimately cannot possess. The withering of the butterfly may represent the transience of what the singer desires and the realization that it was never truly attainable.


The lyrics also touch on themes of regret, longing, and the idea that we cannot always control our actions. The singer recognizes the harm they have caused and is apologetic, but they also cannot shake the scent of their actions, indicating that the consequences of our choices can linger.


Overall, the song is a reflection on the singer's desires and their understanding that they may not always be able to attain what they want. The butterfly serves as a symbol of the fleeting nature of our passions and the difficulty we have in grasping them.


Line by Line Meaning

Yesterday, I went outside
The singer is describing an ordinary day


With my momma's mason jar
They found a container to catch something in


Caught a lovely butterfly
The singer found a beautiful insect and caught it


When I woke up today
The artist is now describing a different day


Looked in on my fairy pet
The artist has a make-believe pet


She had withered all away
The pet is now dead or dying


No more sighing in her breast
The pet is no longer alive and cannot breathe


I'm sorry for what I did
The artist feels remorseful for something


I did what my body told me to
The artist is excusing their behavior by saying they acted on instinct


I didn't mean to do you harm
The artist acknowledges that they may have caused harm to someone or something


Every time I pin down what I think I want
The singer has trouble making decisions and committing to them


It slips away, the ghost slips away
The artist's desires and dreams always seem to disappear or be out of reach


Smell you on my hand for days
The singer has a lingering memory or reminder of someone


I can't wash away your scent
The memory of this person or experience is persistent and cannot be erased


If I'm a dog, then you're a bitch
The singer sees themselves and another person as having animalistic qualities or instincts


I guess you're as real as me
The artist is questioning the reality of the other person or experience


Maybe I can live with that
The artist is considering the possibility of accepting the uncertainty and impermanence of life


Maybe I need fantasy
The singer is acknowledging their need for imagination and make-believe


Life of chasing butterfly
The singer describes their own life as a pursuit of something beautiful and fleeting


I told you I would return
The artist promised someone or something that they would come back


When the robin makes his nest
The artist has a specific condition or event in mind for when they will return


But I ain't never coming back
Despite their promise, the artist knows they won't be returning


I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
The singer expresses their regret and sorrow multiple times




Lyrics ยฉ Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: RIVERS CUOMO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

anissa khoer

Yesterday I went outside
With my momma's mason jar
Caught a lovely Butterfly
When I woke up today
Looked in on my fairy pet
She had withered all away
No more sighing in her breast
I'm sorry for what I did
I did what my body told me to
I didn't mean to do you harm
Everytime I pin down what I think I want
It slips away - the ghost slips away
I smell you on my hand for days
I can't wash away your scent
If I'm a dog then you're a bitch
I guess you're as real as me
Maybe I can live with that
Maybe I need fantasies
A life of chasing butterflyย 

I'm sorry for what I did
I did what my body told me to
I didn't mean to do you harm
Everytime I pin down what I think I want
It slips away - the ghost slips awayย 

I told you I would return
When the robin makes his nest
But I ain't never coming back
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry



Diah Permatasari


I'm sorry for what I did
I did what my body told me to
I didn't mean to do you harm
Everytime I pin down what I think I want
It slips away - the ghost slips away

I told you I would return
When the robin makes his nest
But I ain't never coming back
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry



All comments from YouTube:

satozuki

i hope in that moment when hes walking off stage that he realizes just how amazing pinkerton was and how many lives it touched

Vancitybuddha

Pinkerton is weezer's best album. I've loved it since it came out. And this is an incredible performance . Thanks for upping this

prodbyjj

raditude better

Annex

@prodbyjj fr

MaximusFidei

If anyone thought the Memories Tour is all about going through the motions and making a quick buck, they should be directed to this performance. It's so sincere and emotional despite all the peace and time passing. Beautiful performance.

Kinjal Chrysalis

i was fortunate enough to see weezer in 2011 but did not get to see the pinkerton set. pinkerton is by far my favorite. im all teary eyed over this song because it summons regret in any time i have ever injured an innocent. im sorry tiddles

Gaston T

Every time I listen to and sing this song, it makes me cry ... Do not know why..

betoski

love this song <3

The Architect

No prob! Great band. Great album. Great show.

Silas Bush

My mom and dad got back together because of this

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