"Butterfly" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue from her seventh studio album Light Years (2000). The song was written by Minogue and Steve Anderson at Real World Studios, Wiltshire in 1999. Minogue recorded her vocals at Cello Studios, Los Angeles in January 2000 with American DJ Mark Picchiotti, who subsequently produced the track in Chicago. "Butterfly" is a contemporary house, dance-pop, and EDM track that portrays spiritual freedom and joy of life. Although Light Years was not released in the US, "Butterfly" was issued as a promotional single through Blueplate Records and its sublabel Blue² Records, both of which are owned by Picchiotti.
Music critics picked "Butterfly" as an instant standout from the parent album, praising its catchy melody and potential for a hit single. The song peaked at number 14 and spent 12 weeks on the Billboard US Hot Dance Club Play. The track's popularity led to its inclusion on the US edition of Minogue's Fever (2002). Minogue performed the track at London's G-A-Y nightclub (2000) and on her On a Night Like This concert tour (2001), before adding it as a dance interlude in Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour (2006–2007).
Background and recording
Following the commercial disappointment of Impossible Princess (1997), Minogue ended her six-year relationship with Deconstruction Records and signed with Parlophone in June 1999. In an early meeting with Parlophone, Minogue decided to return to her pop roots and believed that the then-upcoming album was a new beginning for her. Before signing with Parlophone, Minogue spent a week with her frequent collaborator Steve Anderson at Real World Studios in Box, Wiltshire, where most of the production of Impossible Princess was completed. "Butterfly" was among the chosen tracks from the session, along with "So Now Goodbye" and "Bittersweet Goodbye". Anderson found that the writing of "Butterfly" was easy; the track, which was composed on a piano, started off as a ballad. By the time they wrote the chorus, Anderson realized the track's potential and made it more upbeat. Anderson recalled: "The Brothers in Rhythm in me leaped in and it all went hands in the air very quickly." He recorded a demo of the track with drums, bass, and Minogue's vocals on it.
Through his manager, American DJ Mark Picchiotti received a CD from Parlophone A&R executive Miles Leonard. The disc contains three demo tracks by Minogue for his consideration, including a cover of "Under the Influence of Love" and "Butterfly". He saw the potential of "Butterfly" and agreed to produce it. He flew to Los Angeles to work with Minogue at the Cello Studios from 23–25 January 2000. During the recording, the producer stacked Minogue's vocals to create a thicker sound, and also layered the chorus several times. Picchiotti was pleased with session and with Minogue's performance, saying she was "incredibly professional." He brought the track back to Hutch Studios in Chicago to add the final touches. When Picchiotti submitted the complete song, which includes sitars and strings arrangement, he was encouraged by the label to change the production to a more club-friendly sound.
Composition and release
Music critics identified "Butterfly" as a contemporary house, dance-pop, and electronic dance track. The song contains electronic drums, basslines, cascading synths, and a flute performance by Paul Mertens. "Butterfly" is written in the key of A♭ minor and has a tempo of 132 beats per minute. The track uses the butterfly image to describe the spiritual freedom and joy of life, with lines such as: "You are more than my everything and your love gives me wings — like a butterfly." Picchiotti instructed Minogue's vocals in order to fit the cheerful theme; she can be heard singing harmonies in a light tone of voice in the background.
Parlophone included "Butterfly" on Minogue's seventh studio album Light Years (2000). Prior to the album, in May 2000, two remixes of the track were issued as a test pressing in the UK to measure DJ reactions to Minogue's new material. "Butterfly" was considered to be the fourth single from Light Years, but was pulled in favour of the Latin-influenced "Please Stay," which was released in December 2000.