Elusive Butterfly
| "Elusive Butterfly" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Bob Lind | ||||
| from the album Don't Be Concerned | ||||
| B-side |
"Cheryl's Goin' Home" (the original A-side) | |||
| Released | December 1965 | |||
| Format | 7" single | |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Length | 2:51 | |||
| Label | World Pacific 77808 | |||
| Writer(s) | Bob Lind | |||
| Producer(s) | Richard Bock | |||
| Bob Lind singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Elusive Butterfly" is a popular song written by Bob Lind, released as a single in December 1965,[1] which reached #5 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the adult contemporary chart in the spring of 1966.[2] In Australia, Lind's "Elusive Butterfly" entered the charts on April 10, 1966 and spent three weeks at #2 during July 1966.
In the US "Elusive Butterfly" was originally the B-side of Lind's debut single "Cheryl's Goin' Home," but this was flipped by a DJ on Florida radio station WQAM and this kickstarted the success of "Elusive Butterfly."[3]
The prominent string arrangement on Lind's "Elusive Butterfly" was by Jack Nitzsche, known for his work with Phil Spector. 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."
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.
Rival cover versions
The song was also recorded and released in 1966 in the British Isles by Val Doonican, with both the Lind and Doonican versions reaching a UK chart peak of #5 [4] - Lind's subsequent to Doonican's - in March/April 1966, while in Ireland only Doonican had the major hit with "Elusive Butterfly" his version peaking at #3.
In South Africa a local cover of "Elusive Butterfly" by Judy Page (af) debuted at #20 in the Top 20 chart dated 22 April 1966 a week before the #19 debut of the Bob Lind original: although the Page cover initially retained asendance the Lind original would ultimately be the higher charter rising to its #4 peak on the chart dated 20 May 1966 on which the Page cover held at its #5 peak.
Other charting versions
Jane Morgan released a version on her 1966 album Fresh Flavor and the song reached #9 on the Easy Listening chart.[5]
Carmen McRae released a version as a single in 1968 that reached #35 on the adult contemporary chart.[6]
Other versions
- Petula Clark released a version on her 1966 album I Couldn't Live Without Your Love and Lind has cited her version of the song as his favorite, adding: "nobody believes me when I say that – she wasn’t considered cool in the 60s – she was considered mainstream and very vanilla but I love her version of 'Elusive Butterfly.'"[7]
- Cher released a version on her 1966 album The Sonny Side of Chér: the track subsequently served as B-side for Cher's international 1968 single "You Better Sit Down Kids" (the original US pressing of "You'd Better Sit Down Kids" featured "Mama (When My Dollies Have Babies)" as B-side, with "Elusive Butterfly" subsequently substituted).
- Billy Walker released a version on his 1966 album A Million and One with the track subsequently serving as the B-side for Walker's 1969 #12 C&W hit "Smoky Places".
- Richard Anthony released a version entitled "Un Papillon Qui Vole" on the 1966 EP It's Hits Francais.
- The Bachelors released a version in 1966.
- South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela included the song in his 1966 album Hugh Masekela's Next Album.
- Graham Bonney released a version on his 1966 album, Super Girl.
- Lou Christie released a version on his 1966 album, Painter of Hits.
- Johnny Mathis released a version on his 1966 album, So Nice.
- Bobby Vee released a version as part of a medley in 1966 entitled "A Hundred Pounds of Clay"/"Elusive Butterfly".
- Glen Campbell released a version on his 1968 album, Hey Little One.
- Gary Lewis & the Playboys released a version on their 1968 album, Now!.
- Aretha Franklin released a version on her 1969 album, Soul '69.
- The Lettermen released a version on their 1969 album, Hurt So Bad.
- The Four Tops released a version on their 1970 album, Still Waters Run Deep.
- Susan Jacks released a version on her 1980 album, Ghosts.
- Dolly Parton released a version on her 1984 album The Great Pretender. The track served as the B-side to Parton's single release of "Save the Last Dance for Me".
- Jane Olivor released a version on her 2001 album, Songs of the Season.
- Livingston Taylor released a version on his 2006 album, Unsolicited Material.
In media
- Florence Henderson performed "Elusive Butterfly" on the first season of The Muppet Show.
References
- ↑ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 40 – Ballad in Plain D: Bob Dylan. [1966] : UNT Digital Library" (audio). Pop Chronicles. Digital.library.unt.edu. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
- ↑ Bob Lind, "Elusive Butterfly" chart positions Retrieved May 9, 2015
- ↑ Elusive Butterfly Songfacts Retrieved September 21, 2011.
- ↑ Val Doonican, "Elusive Butterfly" UK chart position Retrieved May 9, 2015
- ↑ Jane Morgan, "Elusive Butterfly" chart position Retrieved May 9, 2015
- ↑ Carmen McRae, "Elusive Butterfly" chart position Retrieved May 9, 2015
- ↑ "Finding Bob Lind Again". Rhythms.com.au. Retrieved August 11, 2014.