Love Is Like a Butterfly
Dolly Parton · 1974
26 min · 10 tracks · country music
A gentle blend of heartfelt melodies and vibrant instrumentation that captures the essence of love and nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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Love Is Like a Butterfly Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of love and transformation through its delicate lyrics and melody, becoming a defining song in Parton's career.
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If I Cross Your Mind — The song's poignant exploration of longing and memory demonstrates Parton's lyrical depth, complemented by her emotive vocal delivery.
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Once Upon a Memory — This track stands out for its storytelling quality, weaving nostalgia into the fabric of the melody, highlighting Parton's skill as both a songwriter and performer.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and cohesive themes, though it doesn't push boundaries within its genre.
What we noticed
- The title track opens the album with a gentle melody and lush instrumentation, setting a nostalgic tone that persists throughout.
- Several tracks feature prominent string arrangements, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics and melodies.
- The album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, with only slight variations in tempo across its ten tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- light-hearted sing-along moments
- short bursts of joy
- nostalgic reflections on love
- gentle melodies for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of lengthy epics
- prefer intense emotional highs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Parton's reputation post-'Jolene', showcasing her commercial appeal.
- Themes
- nostalgic storytelling· heartfelt longing· transformative love
- Career context
- Released on September 16, 1974, 'Love Is Like a Butterfly' marked Dolly Parton's fifth studio album during a period of burgeoning fame. Following her breakout success with 'Jolene' in 1973, this album further solidified her status as a leading figure in country music, showcasing her ability to merge traditional sounds with pop sensibilities.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Emmylou Harris· Linda Ronstadt· Patsy Cline
Tracklist
- 1 Love Is Like a Butterfly Start here 2:22
- 2 If I Cross Your Mind 2:40
- 3 My Eyes Can Only See You 2:48
- 4 Take Me Back 2:37
- 5 Blackie, Kentucky 3:34
- 6 Gettin’ Happy 2:38
- 7 You’re the One That Taught Me How to Swing 2:07
- 8 Highway Headin’ South 2:05
- 9 Once Upon a Memory 3:11
- 10 Sacred Memories 2:40
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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