‘Butterfly’ by Zac Brown Band & Dolly Parton – Lyrics & Meaning

One of the most keenly anticipated songs from Zac Brown Band's seventh studio albums, Love & Fear, ‘Butterfly’ features a blockbuster set of guest vocals from Dolly Parton.

It finds Zac and Dolly's vocals drifting dreamily across a weighty, reflective piano instrumental, as they encourage listeners to hold onto the hope of a brighter day ahead.

‘Butterfly’ is joined on the Love & Fear tracklist by the previously released ’Let It Run’ with Snoop Dogg and ‘I Ain't Worried About It’, with the momentous duet being released in early September alongside the equally as philosophical ‘Give It Away’.

‘Butterfly’ is a classic country ballad, with Zac Brown and Dolly Parton delivering the soulful, encouraging message across a contemplative, piano-driven backing. It brings to mind Dolly staples such as ’I Will Always Love You’, with Zac and Dolly stripping it all back as they let the spotlight fall on the powerful lyrics.

When you pare down the composition in this way, you rely on the artists having compelling, centrepiece vocals - and with Zac and Dolly at the helm, we don't need to worry.

Zac's honeyed, commanding delivery complements Dolly's comparatively ethereal, delicate voice, with the former at the forefront for the vast majority of the track, before the Queen of Country enters the fray more prominently for the rousing outro.

“Innocence doesn't last for long
But whatever don't kill you makes you strong
Night is always darkest right before the dawn
So you can let down your armor guard gotta
Make room for who you are
The calloused hands that had held on to your heart
Gotta be pulled apart”

Zac Brown begins by wistfully admitting that the innocence of youth is quickly lost in today's world, as the harsh realities of adulthood sink in. However, there is always a silver lining, as Zac stresses that our struggles ultimately make us more resilient.

He hints at these troubles coming as a result of a toxic relationship, with the Georgia native crooning, “The calloused hands that had held on to your heart / Gotta be pulled apart”, suggesting that the person he's singing to needs to move on.

“Like reflections on white powder snow
Your light was always bound to be shown
There's a beauty in your eyes
It's a wonder to behold”

He paints a visceral image of a beautiful reflection cast against pristine white snow, representing the innocence and purity of heart that we can still access despite our past. Zac encourages the listener to embrace this light and hope within them.

“Butterfly, you will see
You're so much stronger than you think you are
You just have to believe
You can fly, mend your wings
Any moment you can free yourself
And fly out of the darkness, butterfly”

Zac and Dolly liken the listener's inner majesty to that of a wonderful butterfly. Butterflies appear fragile and breakable, but upon closer inspection, are some of the most beautiful creatures on Earth. The vocalists reassure the person their singing to that they can patch up their damaged wings and emerge from their turmoil.

“Every branch broke on your family tree, you know you're
Better than what they couldn't be
You don't have to practice anything that they preach
Those that don't matter often mind
And those that mind don't matter
Don't you pass them by (Don't you pass them by)
Oh you'll learn in time (You'll learn in time)”

Here, Zac reflects on a situation where our loved ones might not have given us the best start in life, with ‘broken branches’ surrounding us on the family tree. There might be so-called ‘generational curses’ and cycles that need breaking, but he emphasises to the listener that they don't have to follow in their imperfect footsteps.

He serves up a clever play on words, “Those that don't matter often mind / And those that mind don't matter”, dismissing any detractors and trolls as irrelevant to their journey.

“There'll be times (There'll be times)
When your faith is gone (When your faith is gone)
Give it one more day (one more day)
Keep holding on (Keep holding on)
Oh it's not what they say
It's what you believe
That's gonna break the chains
Changing you to what you're gonna be”

As the song reaches its crescendo, Zac and Dolly offer a flurry of motivational words of wisdom, encouraging the listener to keep holding on and believ that things will improve.

“Butterfly, now you see
You're so much stronger than you think you are
Now that you believe
You can fly (You can fly), spread your wings (Spread your wings)
And in the moment you will free yourself
Fly out of the darkness, butterfly (Butterfly)
Fly out of the darkness
Butterfly”

For the final iteration of the chorus, they adjust it slightly so that, rather than saying “you will” become stronger and happier, they sing as though this healing has already happened. It's a satisfying, joyful conclusion to an uplifting, inspirational anthem.

“Innocence doesn't last for long
But whatever don't kill you makes you strong
Night is always darkest right before the dawn
So you can let down your armor guard gotta
Make room for who you are
The calloused hands that had held on to your heart
Gotta be pulled apart

-

Like reflections on white powder snow
Your light was always bound to be shown
There's a beauty in your eyes
It's a wonder to behold

-

Butterfly, you will see
You're so much stronger than you think you are
You just have to believe
You can fly, mend your wings
Any moment you can free yourself
And fly out of the darkness, butterfly

-

Every branch broke on your family tree, you know you're
Better than what they couldn't be
You don't have to practice anything that they preach
Those that don't matter often mind
And those that mind don't matter
Don't you pass them by (Don't you pass them by)
Oh you'll learn in time (You'll learn in time)

-

Like reflections on white powder snow
Your light was always bound to be shown
There's a beauty in your eyes
It's a wonder to behold

-

Butterfly, you will see
You're so much stronger than you think you are
You just have to believe
You can fly, mend your wings
Any moment you can free yourself
And fly out of the darkness, a butterfly (Butterfly)

-

There'll be times (There'll be times)
When your faith is gone (When your faith is gone)
Give it one more day (one more day)
Keep holding on (Keep holding on)
Oh it's not what they say
It's what you believe
That's gonna break the chains
Changing you to what you're gonna be

-

Butterfly, now you see
You're so much stronger than you think you are
Now that you believe
You can fly (You can fly), spread your wings (Spread your wings)
And in the moment you will free yourself
Fly out of the darkness, butterfly (Butterfly)
Fly out of the darkness
Butterfly”

For more on Zac Brown Band, see below:

Zac Brown Band

Group

Dolly Parton

Artist