Bob Lind's Rarely heard Original Complete Version of "Elusive Butterfly of Love". It had been greatly edited for the Single release. This version was recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl on July 21, 1968.
This is amazing! For 53 years this haunting and deep tune has played in my head, and now it is complete. Not only that, but the remaining verses actually reflect some of my own evolution in thinking over the last half century. Thank you so much for preserving and uploading this treasure. 👍👍
Yes it is !! Always connected with this song, but the full original is even more beautiful. First caught a glimpse of my 🦋 50+ yrs ago. Soon be 51 with the love of my life. Love is not all sunshine and roses, but when you find the ONE, no effort to take hold of it is too hard.
I purchased the sheet music to this song back in early 1966 because I really was taking in by the poetic wonder of this song. I was surprisingly amazed of the extra lyrics I never knew existed, unfortunately the sheet music got lost about a year later. This is the first time in over 50 years I'm able to read them again, thanks so much for posting this video with lyrics.
Dear God in Heaven---who are YOU, Joey McGowan?!!! THANK YOU. I was about 8 years old when this song hit the big time in 1966. I remember exactly where I was and who I was with (my Mother) the first time I heard this song and these lyrics, made a lot more "upbeat" for the times-----and if an 8-year-old can have chills and feel her hackles raising and goose bumps over the shorter version that was released, then I was that girl. I remember ASKING my Mother---what is this about? What does it MEAN? And here I am, with insomnia on the 29th of September, 2023, on the night of the Full Harvest Moon, when I was AWAKENED from a heavy sleep and this Song was the Tune in my Head! I had to come seeking it online----and now, now, NOW 59 years after first hearing the edited version, I finally UNDERSTAND what my child self Felt, but never knew for certain---that there was MORE to this than was revealed at the time. THANK YOU for posting this 10 years ago, and who even knows if you're still alive at this point? I don't know who you are, Joey---but I'm sending this message into the Void of the internet, like a prayer. God Bless you, wherever you are.
Ohh! Stardust bless you for your comment it not only speaks for you but for me also. WNEW New York 60's it brings peace and serenity. Bless sweetheart!
That world is still there you just have to find it in your heart. I'm all most 80 and this song still tugs at my heart for a time past but not forgotten.
@ James : the times of the summer of love '67 and a 17 year old until 20 years years later when I threw away all that was precious. Bob Lind said it in this song ," signs that I missed" . For me those were signs that love had died. They'll never come again. I wish I could go back and start over. But,I cant. As many times that I've heard this song since it first came on the radio , I missed this verse. Much happiness and peace to the person who posted this version. I've never heard it before. So much beautiful song and the singing and guitar of Lind. But before it was over, I could hear John Denvers voice singing in the background. They sound somewhat similar. I bet this song inspired him in his singing.
It is even worse today than when you posted. There is no doubt we are in an attempted, at least, Great Reset. Destroy all history, run out a phoney pandemic, and totally steal elections. There are some sick humans out there ! May God save us.
I can't believe it took fifty years of my life to discover the rest of this song! Thank you, Mr. McGowan, for sharing this with all of us who are still chasing the bright elusive butterfly of love.
Today was the first time hearing the full song. I am blown away by the way it opened up doors to my emotions I thought long lost. A great song by a great writer.
I’m 20 years old, and I work in food service. My place of work is next to an “old fashioned” themed McDonald’s. Awhile back, I often would have to stay there for a few hours before going to work because I had nowhere else to go. Of course, they only played befitting music. Not really my style. This song was the only one I liked. It quickly became a comfort to me in a really tough time in my life. It’s so beautiful. I’m so glad this version is on RU-vid. Thank you. 💕
+Rei Back: Yours is quite a deep post for a 20 year old guy....especially a 20yr. old in THIS day and age. I salute your state of mind and depth of thought. You're different than the "normal" person your age, and I think that if you don't derail yourself like most people tend to do, you'll have quite a full life of enjoyment as it unfolds. Nobody escapes without trials and tribulations...that's just part of the life and the way it's designed to bring out the "real deal" locked inside each of us. But the good will far outweigh the bumps in the road. Please, always remember that there IS and God who loves you like you'd never assume...and that his son Jesus Christ is above ALL. I guess you could say I'm impressed by your post, and can read into it...probably accurately. God Bless and always strive to do THE RIGHT THING, even when it is difficult at times. jbeinarizona
I hope you've found just what you needed young man, you are very young. Whatever it is you're looking for it will come in time. We all, I believe have chased that butterfly at one time or another. Some of us are lucky enough to catch while others are still chasing. If you wait that butterfly will land on your hand because it doesn't like being chased.
I only found out that this longer version existed. what a magnificent piece of art! rather than losing the sense of fragile past and the soft regret of past relationships, it wonderfully magnifies what the shorter version alludes to. it is fuller, sadder and richer. a rare accomplishment.
I just discovered a buried treasure. Since 1966, Elusive Butterfly has been in my top ten of all time favorite songs. And now, almost a half century later, I have stumbled upon the "lost lyrics" of an all time favorite, one that has played in my mind since the first time I heard it. I feel richer now; for I have been to the open meadow of dreams and found a treasure that has for so long eluded me.
Wow! Talk about leaving your poetic footprint on the planet. Beautiful. The abbreviated version entered my life when I was 20 and had just left a sheltered smalltown home to spread my wings and discover big city life and on to the wider world, flitting around to learn about life and love and their complications, with music always as my constant sidekick (and it was so good in those days). Such a hauntingly moving and wondrous song.
Every now and then, a line in a song will capture emotions and thoughts in just a few words. One of the most profound I ever heard and said so much that applied to my life was Bob Lind's "I might have even called your name as I ran searching after something to believe in."
Yes, like Springsteen's "I take a look in the mirror; I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face." I was always glad it wasn't a woman singing that as the 'my face' would imply a bad make-up job, but by a man it says something much deeper, to me anyway....
One line of Bob's that has appeal for me is: "You might have heard my footsteps echo softly in the distance through the canyons of your mind." It was as if he speaking directly to that vast empty space in between my two ears.
Always my favorite ~ I want this song played along with a release of butterflies at my graveside. What a new beautiful memory of me to my grandchildren 💕🦋
Indeed, I've long intended it to be played at my Celebration of Life service, or whatever. Releasing butterflies would be a nice touch, and better for the environment than balloons.
I had no idea this song had all these verses!! This song popped into my head just a few minutes ago when I saw a butterfly flitting through my backyard! So I thought I want to listen to this song and here I am!! I am amazed to have stumbled across this acoustical extended original version of this lovely song! I loved when it first came out and now I love it even more! Thank you ❤🎶🦋🦋🦋
One of my favorite songs of all time just got better. I not only have never heard this version but didn't even know it existed. Thank you very much for posting.
I am sincerely stunned by this poem. His lyrics set to beautiful music. It is absolutely stunning. Thank you very much for posting. It has always been one of my favorite songs, but listening and reading the complete lyrics elevates this song to a much higher and more appreciated level. Thank you.
Where did you find this live 1968 recording? The live recording quality is excellent for 1968. You can hear the crowd start to applaud just before it fades out at the end. Was this released on an album? Where did you find this incredibly rare recording?
@@quazink hi, I’ve always collected rare recordings. Look through my RU-vid page and you’ll find songs by Jackson Browne, Donovan, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Melanie, Tom Rapp and many more. This live Bob Lind was from the original soundboard tape of a show he shared with the Band “Hearts and Flowers”.
Yes I agree with Mrs/miss brogan ." Joey thank you ,! It's amazing to hear Bobby 's full lyrics " Don't get me wrong " Ive heard elusive butterfly of love over the years many a times but never the full version .And I never appreciate how good those lyrics are .great song writing .👏
OMG!!!! THANK YOU so much for sharing this!!! For years I've heard stories about this masterpiece having had quite alot of lyrics which didn't make it on the studio recording and HERE IT IS! This and 'Counting' are two of the most lyrically complicated and utterly exquisite songs I have heard in my lifetime. Bob Lind is an utterly brilliant songwriter and deserves induction into The Songwriter's Hall of Fame a helluva lot more than many of the folks who are already there. Ditto for The RRHOF.
Shirley Pena I recall this song very well myself. Winter 1966. First time I was hearing it I was exchanging glances with the girl who’d be my first love. The draft board sure wrecked that and it took me 20 years to find a better girl.
Since I first heard it in 1966, the memory of this tune has visited me with haunting echoes from my childhood. It's great to rediscover it, and to appreciate for the first time the full version.
Wow! I never knew there were more lyrics to my all-time favorite song! I love them! Thanks, Joey McGowan, for bringing this treasure to those of use who love this song.
I think of my father, who flew over the rainbow bridge 17 years ago, whenever I listen to this gorgeous masterpiece. That's why I always feel so emotional and bittersweet when I listen to it. It brings back very special memories that can never be taken away from me.
ME EITHER! After almost 50 years of listening to and loving this song this the the very first time I knew that there was a "long version".Even more splendiforous that the original that got so very much airplay way back when for a rather long time. The flow of the lyrics are a testament to this writers skill at turning phrases..
Listening to the radio[ back in the day} and when the "Elusive Butterfly of Love", was yearning for something I always wanted and at same could not have. I had several relationships did not pan out. I put everything in it, never came to fruition.
Blimey! I have played this dozens of times over the last couple of weeks! I also read out the lyrics recently at a Spoken Word event I host in England. You could have heard a pin drop!!!! And, and, and....It is also a remarkable achievement to have the lyrics on the screen and watch them disappear as you try to sing along! As a wise person once said "It's all about timing!"
I remember this beautiful song breaking through the rock, pop and folk music of the era, and the shocked awe a lot of us felt to hear true poetry to music - a ground-breaker, and a timeless great
I was around when this song first came out. I told my Dad that I liked it and the next day by my lunch money was a note that read "Elusive Butterfly" and an arrow pointing to a 45 rpm vinyl disc. Of course it was not the long version, that had to wait until someone uploaded it to youtube decades later. Thank you for posting this long version. It is icing on the cake my Dad served me long ago.
I cannot thank you enough for this clip....the first time I heard this song I am positive it was this version. Even though I loved the single, I was sure I had heard the song longer and even deeper in poignancy and meaning...I was right....this is it....and it is as totally beautiful as I remembered....
Oh Dang, one of my Top 10 songs of all time and I never realized there was this fuller amazing longer version, so Great, Thanks so much! And to Bob as well!
Val Doonican died last night (July 2015); I never forgave him for doing a cover version of Elusive Butterfly at the same time as the writer of the song, Bob Lind. Although both appeared in the UK Singles Charts at approx No 5. What fantastic lyrics and images!
I am just hearing this live version for the first time. Never knew it existed. I've always loved old great WNEW songs from back East, many obscure, many incredible classics. So many you can never hear on the radio, or rarely. This one they play occasionally, but the short version. Truly can't thank you enough Joey McGowan for putting this masterpiece on RU-vid. I've loved the short version since it came out so long ago. This one is mind blowing. Wish I knew where or how you found it. Here's to the unsung musical greats! There are so many.
Thank you for posting this version. I never knew it existed. This is one of my favorite songs, and this version just makes it even better and more special!
WOW !!! Fantastic, brilliant, profound, moving, illuminating, majestic, lyrical masterpiece ! I just can't get over how truly awesome this version is ! (and I mean it, too !)
It's taken me fifty-one years to discover it! This is brilliant - thanks for posting. I have to say that I caught the bright elusive butterfly 32 years ago, so I'm no longer the clumsy joker. My heart goes out to all those still chasing it though.
I can't say anything about this that hasn't already been said. Thank you so much for posting this. I NEVER get tired of hearing this song. It's easily in my top ten or top five songs of all time, depending on the mood I'm in. I just discovered the song had additional verses, so again, thank you.
what great version. either one I love. it's in my top 5 of all time. I can sing along with the short version, but the longer one is tougher. with the words its makes it so much easier.
I loved hearing this complete version of the lyrics. The song takes me someplace I don't think I've been before. But yet it makes me feel so nostalgic, like I have been there before. I guess I didn't find the right words. It reminds me of "American Pie" as far as the vivid images it creates.
Thanks for this. So beautiful, never heard this version. What a shame they edited so much for the single. This would have done just as well if maybe not better. A lot of meaning behind these lyrics.
Terrific! Beautiful song, superb lyrics and wonderful imagination.I listen to this song for some 3 times at any time I come across it, and thoroughly enjoy it each time...
Read about Bob Lind a couple of days ago. He was once addicted to speed and alcohol. Lind had a long history w substance abuse. He would stay awake for days painting and writing song while using speed and drinking.. While living in LA he hung out w Charles Bukowski. Has written over 200 songs, most recorded by other musicians. He seemingly couldn't say enough about how ugly he thought Janis Joplin was. He is still writing songs and holding concerts. He has lived in Fla for years. He haa been clean and sober since 1977 🙌 and so much more. Interesting guy
I was having a disussion about modern music with a rap fan and he told me it was poetry set to music LOL, no I said, it isn't poetry, it's simply phrasing that rhymes over a stolen bass line and drum track. This is poetry in music.
This is a true masterpiece of poetry. Now that I come back to it a couple of months later, I wonder what hurt him so much that he was able to write this. His heartbreak must have been horrible.
