The Crow & the Butterfly

Shinedown

About The Crow & the Butterfly

"The Crow & the Butterfly" is the fifth single by American rock band Shinedown from their 2008 album The Sound of Madness. The song was written by Shinedown lead singer Brent Smith. The song was introduced in 2007, in an acoustic session on The Buckethead Show. The Crow & the Butterfly – EP was released on iTunes on July 27, 2010, which included the original song, "The Crow & the Butterfly (pull mix)", the music video for the song, and a digital booklet.


Year:
2008
4:13
268 
#6

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I painted your room at midnight
So I'd know yesterday was over
I put all your books on the top shelf
Even the one with the four leaf clover
Man I'm getting older

I took all your pictures off the wall
And I wrapped them in a newspaper blanket
And I haven't slept in what seems like a century
And now I can barely breathe

Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
Cause when you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late

Your words still serenade me
And your lullaby's, they won't let me sleep
And I've never heard such a haunting melody
Oh it's killing me
You know I can barely breathe

Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
Cause when you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late

Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
Cause when you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late

Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
Cause when you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late

I was just a little too late
I was just a little too, little too late

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Shinedown

Shinedown is an American hard rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith (vocals), Brad Stewart (bass), Jasin Todd (guitar), and Barry Kerch (drums). A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original members, with guitarist Zach Myers and bassist and pianist Eric Bass. Since Shinedown's inception, they have released four albums – Leave a Whisper (2003), Us and Them (2005), The Sound of Madness (2008), and Amaryllis (2012) – and a total of 15 singles. They have sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. more »

23 fans

Written by: Dave Bassett, Brent Smith

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Origin
"The Crow & the Butterfly" is a song by the American rock band, Shinedown. It was released in 2010 as the third single from their third studio album, "The Sound of Madness."
Lyrics Inspiration
The song was written by band members Brent Smith and Dave Bassett. It was originally inspired by a dream that Smith had about flying crows and a single butterfly, which later morphed into a metaphor for a past relationship.
Chart Performance
It did fairly well on the charts, peaking at number two on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and number eleven on the Alternative Songs chart. It also reached the 50th position on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
Acclaimed Music Video
The music video for "The Crow & the Butterfly" was released on May 5, 2010, and has more than 35 million views on YouTube. The video conveys the song's theme of a difficult relationship and loss, with imagery echoing the song's metaphorical lyrics.
The Song is Not About Death
Despite many fans interpreting the song as being about death due to its somber tone and seemingly melancholic lyrics, band's frontman Brent Smith has clarified that it was not initially intended as a death-related song.
Playing in Live Shows
The band included "The Crow & the Butterfly" in their live shows where it was well received by the audience. These live performances are described as emotional, lending further depth to the song.
Acoustic Version Release
Shinedown also released an acoustic version of "The Crow & the Butterfly" which emphasizes the song's poignant lyrics, providing a different musical perspective for fans.
Delayed Inclusion in Album
The song wasn't originally included in the "The Sound of Madness" album. It was added later when Shinedown decided to reissue the album.
Implicit Message
Beyond its vague interpretation, the song is also seen as significant for its subtle message about the importance of overcoming personal struggles and moving forward in life.
Song's Popularity
Despite it being over a decade since its release, "The Crow & the Butterfly" continues to maintain its popularity among fans, resulting in its frequent airplay on rock radio stations.
Fan Theories
The song has sparked many theories among fans regarding its deeper meaning, with some suggesting it symbolically represents personal transformation and rebirth.
Style of Music
The Crow & the Butterfly follows a sort of power-ballad style. It is known for its powerful vocals, strong lyrics, and dynamic instrumental arrangement.

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    The Crow & the Butterfly

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