After realizing how personal the lyrics were and how they could be applied to Butterfly , she wrote the album's title track with Afanasieff.

On the song's lyrics, Carey sings to someone, telling them to spread their wings and release into the world on their own, like a butterfly. The accompanying music video for "Butterfly" depicts Carey in an abandoned house, trapped in a desolate life. As the video progresses, she leaves, apparently for the first time in years, and runs into a nearby meadow. Towards the end, Carey jumps over a barbed fence and goes out into the world on a horse.

The song's lyrics and video were directly connected to Carey's personal life at the time. The song was also a permanent part of the set-list during her Butterfly World Tour during Due to current conflict with Columbia, "Butterfly" was never issued a commercial release, therefore hindering its charting ability. The single performed weakly on the charts, peaking outside the top 20 in most countries, except for New Zealand, where it peaked at number The song also reached the top 10 in Taiwan.

During the recording for Butterfly , Carey was in the midst of her separation from then husband, Tommy Mottola. When the song was finished, Carey felt there was something more she could do with the song; the lyrics were very personal and a perfect fit for a ballad. It was '97 and I was leaving my marriage [to Tommy Mottola]. I was writing the song 'Butterfly' wishing that that's what he would say to me. But then the things that happened to me during that time caused me to not go back. Had it been, 'Go be yourself, you've been with me since you were a kid, let's separate for a while,' I probably would've.

The song was named "Butterfly" and became Carey's "favorite and most heartfelt ballad. Carey wrote "Butterfly" for Mottola, hoping he would say its contents to her, and choose to do what was best for her. It is set in the signature common time , and is written in the key of A major. Aside from assisting with its writing and chord progression, Afanasieff co-arranged and produced the track as well.

Jermaine Dupri feat. Jay-Z feat. Jadakiss feat. Whenever You Call feat. Brian McKnight. Freeway featuring Mariah Carey and Jay-Z. Allure duet with Damian Marley. Fly Away Butterfly reprise. Allure featuring Nas. I Still Believe album version. June 27, Retrieved January 20, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 11 May May 15, Legal Title ".

Archived from the original on 23 July Retrieved 3 March Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Full Surface Records , Interscope Records. Money Liner notes. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 24, Retrieved August 2, Retrieved August 23, Retrieved November 20, Retrieved May 3, Life and Times of S. Carter Liner notes. Retrieved August 4, Ruff Ryders Entertainment , Interscope Records. French Montana. August 24, Tony Bennett. CS1 maint: others link.

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I Am Mariah The Elusive Chanteuse Caution. The Meaning of Mariah Carey. A Christmas Melody Mariah's World. Book Category. Namespaces Article Talk. Views Read Edit View history. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Download as PDF Printable version. Daydream Butterfly The Rolling Stone Album Guide. The Village Voice. Carey Afanasieff. Carey Stevie J. Carey Stevie J Combs. Carey Stevie J Rooney. Carey Rooney.

Mariah Carey - Never Too Far Mariah Carey - Reflections Care Enough Mariah Carey - Twister Mariah Carey - Want You Mariah Carey - Alone In Love Mariah Carey - Prisoner Mariah Carey - Vanishing Mariah Carey - You Need Me Mariah Carey - Circles Mariah Carey - Get Your Number ft. Jermain Dupri Mariah Carey - It's Like That Mariah Carey - Joy Ride Mariah Carey - Mine Again Mariah Carey - One And Only ft.

Twista Mariah Carey - Say Something ft. Snoop Dogg Verified Purchase. Stunning looking picture disc but this is my second copy from Amazon. The first came with a ripped pvc sleeve and the inner sheet was awfully creased plus there was no download card.

This second copy still has no download card plus these are supposed ti be numbered limited editions. Where the number should be is totally blank!

Looks like this one will also be going back to Amazon. This album is a must have!!! The most personal album in Mariah's career. A masterpiece!!! The LP picture is beautiful. Which all her albums were available in vynil. A great item for collection, even for non fans. Amazing album from the skinny Mariah Carey! The record's picture disc is beautiful and sounds brilliant.