Elusive Butterfly
Encyclopedia
"Elusive Butterfly" is a popular song by Bob Lind
released in 1966, which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
. The song was also recorded and released in 1966 in the UK by the Irish singer Val Doonican
. The Doonican and Lind versions both charted in the UK and both (first Doonican's version, then Lind's) peaked at #5 in the UK charts in March/April 1966; it is possible the Lind version might have proved a bigger UK hit, had the rival Doonican version not been recorded and released.
In America, the song was originally the B-side of 23-year-old Bob Lind's recording debut "Cheryl's Goin' Home," but this was flipped by a DJ on Florida radio station WQAM and this kickstarted the success of "Elusive Butterfly." "Cheryl's Goin' Home" was subsequently a minor British hit for UK pop singer Adam Faith
in October 1966.
The prominent string arrangement on Lind's "Elusive Butterfly" was by legendary Jack Nitzsche
, known for his work with The Rolling Stones
. With this song, Bob Lind gave World Pacific Records its one and only big hit. Bob Lind's debut album, "Don't Be Concerned," borrowed its title from a line in the song – "Don't be concerned, it will not harm you."
Lind’s solo career lost impetus after "Elusive Butterfly" and problems with drugs and alcohol made matters worse. Lind continues performing and touring, however, and over 200 artists have covered his songs.
In the song the narrator sees himself as a butterfly
hunter. He is looking for romance, but he finds it as elusive as a butterfly.
In 1966, Jane Morgan
covered the song for the easy listening
market. Her single version reached No. 9 on the Billboard
Easy Listening chart, her biggest hit on the listings. It was also featured on her 1966 album Fresh Flavor.
Petula Clark
covered the song for her 1966 album I Couldn't Live Without Your Love
and Aretha Franklin
for her 1969 album "Soul '69
." It has also been covered by many other artists including The Four Tops, Dolly Parton
and Cher
. Gary Lewis and the Playboys released a version in 1968 on their album, "Gary Lewis Now!"
Florence Henderson
performed the song on the first season of The Muppet Show
.
Bob Lind
Bob Lind is an American folk music singer-songwriter who reached the height of his success during the 1960s...
released in 1966, which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The song was also recorded and released in 1966 in the UK by the Irish singer Val Doonican
Val Doonican
Val Doonican is an Irish singer. From 1965 to 1986 he was a regular fixture on the BBC Television's schedule with The Val Doonican Show, which featured his own singing performances and a variety of guest artists...
. The Doonican and Lind versions both charted in the UK and both (first Doonican's version, then Lind's) peaked at #5 in the UK charts in March/April 1966; it is possible the Lind version might have proved a bigger UK hit, had the rival Doonican version not been recorded and released.
In America, the song was originally the B-side of 23-year-old Bob Lind's recording debut "Cheryl's Goin' Home," but this was flipped by a DJ on Florida radio station WQAM and this kickstarted the success of "Elusive Butterfly." "Cheryl's Goin' Home" was subsequently a minor British hit for UK pop singer Adam Faith
Adam Faith
Terence "Terry" Nelhams-Wright, known as Adam Faith was a Teen idol English singer, actor and later financial journalist. He was one of the most charted acts of the 1960s. He became the first UK artist to lodge his initial seven hits in the Top 5...
in October 1966.
The prominent string arrangement on Lind's "Elusive Butterfly" was by legendary Jack Nitzsche
Jack Nitzsche
Bernard Alfred "Jack" Nitzsche was an arranger, producer, songwriter, and film score composer. He first came to prominence in the late 1950s as the right-hand-man of producer Phil Spector, and went on to work with the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others...
, known for his work with The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. With this song, Bob Lind gave World Pacific Records its one and only big hit. Bob Lind's debut album, "Don't Be Concerned," borrowed its title from a line in the song – "Don't be concerned, it will not harm you."
Lind’s solo career lost impetus after "Elusive Butterfly" and problems with drugs and alcohol made matters worse. Lind continues performing and touring, however, and over 200 artists have covered his songs.
In the song the narrator sees himself as a butterfly
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
hunter. He is looking for romance, but he finds it as elusive as a butterfly.
In 1966, Jane Morgan
Jane Morgan
Jane Morgan is an American popular singer, specializing in traditional pop music. Her first broad fame came in Europe....
covered the song for the easy listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
market. Her single version reached No. 9 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Easy Listening chart, her biggest hit on the listings. It was also featured on her 1966 album Fresh Flavor.
Petula Clark
Petula Clark
Petula Clark, CBE is an English singer, actress, and composer whose career has spanned seven decades.Clark's professional career began as an entertainer on BBC Radio during World War II...
covered the song for her 1966 album I Couldn't Live Without Your Love
I Couldn't Live Without Your Love (album)
I Couldn't Live Without Your Love is a Petula Clark album released in the United States and the UK in September 1966. Clark's fifth US album release, I Couldn't Live Without Your Love was the first Petula Clark album to include creative personnel besides Tony Hatch, who produced the album and...
and Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
for her 1969 album "Soul '69
Soul '69
Soul '69 is a 1969 album of cover material released by Aretha Franklin. The album charted at #1 on Billboards R&B albums chart and at #15 on Billboards Top Albums, launching two unsuccessful singles, "Tracks of My Tears" which reached #21 on "Black Singles" and #71 on "Pop Singles" and "Gentle on...
." It has also been covered by many other artists including The Four Tops, Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
and Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
. Gary Lewis and the Playboys released a version in 1968 on their album, "Gary Lewis Now!"
Florence Henderson
Florence Henderson
Florence Agnes Henderson is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her role of Carol Brady on the ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974...
performed the song on the first season of The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
.