Released: September 16, 1997
Songwriter: Walter Afanasieff Mariah Carey
Producer: Mariah Carey Walter Afanasieff
[Verse 1]
When you love someone so deeply
They become your life
It's easy to succumb to overwhelming fears inside
Blindly I imagined I could
Keep you under glass
Now I understand to hold you
I must open up my hands
And watch you rise
[Chorus]
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
[Verse 2]
I have learned that beauty
Has to flourish in the light
Wild horses run unbridled
Or their spirit dies
You have given me the courage
To be all that I can
And I truly feel your heart will
Lead you back to me when you're
Ready to land
[Chorus]
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
[Bridge]
I can't pretend these tears
Aren't overflowing steadily
I can't prevent this hurt from almost overtaking me
But I will stand and say goodbye
For you'll never be mine
Until you know the way it feels to fly
[Chorus]
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me (I will know you're mine)
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly, butterfly (My butterfly)
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly (Fly)
So flutter through the sky
Butterfly
Fly
Spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
When you love someone so deeply
They become your life
It's easy to succumb to overwhelming fears inside
Blindly I imagined I could
Keep you under glass
Now I understand to hold you
I must open up my hands
And watch you rise
[Chorus]
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
[Verse 2]
I have learned that beauty
Has to flourish in the light
Wild horses run unbridled
Or their spirit dies
You have given me the courage
To be all that I can
And I truly feel your heart will
Lead you back to me when you're
Ready to land
[Chorus]
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
[Bridge]
I can't pretend these tears
Aren't overflowing steadily
I can't prevent this hurt from almost overtaking me
But I will stand and say goodbye
For you'll never be mine
Until you know the way it feels to fly
[Chorus]
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me (I will know you're mine)
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly, butterfly (My butterfly)
Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Oh, fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly (Fly)
So flutter through the sky
Butterfly
Fly
Spread your wings and fly
Butterfly
The Ballads
- Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri Mix)
- One Sweet Day
- Open Arms
- Always Be My Baby
- I’ll Be There
- Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme)
- I Still Believe
- Never Too Far
- Endless Love
- Against All Odds
- When You Believe
- Anytime You Need a Friend (Ministry of Sound Mix)
- Always Be My Baby (Always Club Mix)
- All I Want for Christmas Is You
- The Roof (Back in Time)
- How Much
- Thank God I Found You (Make It Last Remix)
- Hero
- Vision of Love
- Reflections (Care Enough)
- Can’t Let Go
- Love Takes Time
- Dreamlover
- Anytime You Need a Friend
- Without You
- Butterfly
- My All
- The Roof (Back in Time) [Mobb Deep Extended Version]
- Butterfly (1997)
- Around the World (1999)
- Greatest Hits (2001)
- McMusic Love Songs 2 [NOR] (2003)
- The Ballads (2008)
- The Essential Mariah Carey (2011)