Among the dozens and dozens of Paul Weller-penned jewels, “The Butterfly Collector” has always been of the most intriguing, most fascinating songs to digest and ponder.
I’ve always felt it was about disdain for an aging groupie living vicariously through a never-ending succession of “butterflies” in her collection. Rumour has it that I’ve been correct in my analysis. While the title and general theme was borrowed from the popular 60s British film, “The Butterfly Collector” is reportedly, specifically about punk uber-groupie Soo Catwoman.
Stylistically, Weller could have easily gone the other way with this song, crafting a cheery bit of sarcastic pop bombast. But the path he chose instead reflects the darkness, the creepiness, the black hollowness Weller imagines the track’s subject to harbor under the heavy rouge and thick eyeliner.
Brilliant, and brilliantly haunting three decades later.
