The Jam - The Butterfly Collector - Radio Paradise -Internet Radio

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Artist:

The Jam [ more ]

Song:

The Butterfly Collector

Album:

The Sound of the Jam [ info ]

Released:

Last Played:

Jun 06, 2013 - 20:06

Avg. Rating:

7.2 (Total Ratings: 502)

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82 comments for this song:

BBoyes
(Salt Lake City Utah)

Posted: Mar 04, 2013 - 09:19

Wow, intriguing photo and link. Thanks for posting.

ambrebalte
(Wolxheim (France) - Dreaming about resuming my life in Beijing province)

Posted: Jan 16, 2013 - 11:42

I couldn't quite get a picture of the woman described in the lyrics. I mean, like yes, it seems to be a groupie, but most of the time groupies, although very invasive, are closer to being victims of their own blindness, and stubbornness. Whereas here, the groupie sounds like a dominatrix, manipulative, collecting and throwing away the object of her brief interest.

Then I turned to the web and found this piece of history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Collector

The song "The Butterfly Collector" by The Jam (the B-Side of the 1979 single "Strange Town") was inspired by the book, but the song was in fact about Soo Catwoman, who upon the implosion of the Sex Pistols, attempted to become part of The Jam's entourage. The song states the band's contempt for those obsessed with "collecting" reflected fame from contemporary celebrities as a substitute for living their own lives.
The Butterfly Collector

joelbb

Posted: Dec 16, 2012 - 02:00

Good segue from Passion Pit: you found a group as bad or worse with a tune to match.

krysthal
(Toronto, Canada)

Posted: Jul 11, 2012 - 21:26

sronis wrote:

garbage did an excellent cover for this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7C9Zw8Gjw

That video was removed, but it's up at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEFW9MkwX2M (Garbage's cover of 'The Butterfly Collector')

aspicer
(Chicago, IL)

Posted: Apr 23, 2012 - 14:02

Great tune from an influential and amazing band in rock history, just too bad they never did "stick" in the U.S.

WonderLizard
(2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise)

Posted: Jan 19, 2012 - 09:26

Dillinquent wrote:

Of course you don't have to be English to 'get' the Jam, but it helps to have grown up with that musical heritage, people like The Beatles, The Who, Small Faces, The Zombies, The Kinks, Bowie, Bolan and the UK punk scene. I'ts also easier for us to relate to the lyrical themes, things like the class system, London, inner city decay, Thatcherism, the winter of discontent, Punk, Mods, Rockers, disaffected youth, the Blitz (we weren't there but our parents were), rationing, miners strikes Etc. - you get the picture.

What impresses me in addition to the lyrical acuity is their ability to convey a '60s style/British invasion sensibility. Very cleverly done. Great band.

Stranglersfan
(Revelstoke, B.C.)

Posted: Jan 19, 2012 - 09:16

We don't hear enough Jam these days.
Love It!

sronis

Posted: Nov 16, 2011 - 22:58

garbage did an excellent cover for this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7C9Zw8Gjw

Cynaera
(South of Neanderthal)

Posted: Mar 25, 2011 - 10:41

I hadn't heard this one before, but wow - what lyrics!!! Paul Weller did a bang-up job - it almost brought me to tears... I'm giving it 8 on first listen... (Today was another day for precedents, because I actually muted "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. Geez, I'm starting to skeer myself...)

So you finally got what you wanted
Youve achieved your aim by making me walk in line
And when you just cant get any higher
You use your senses to suss out this weeks climber
And the small fame that youve acquired
Has brought you into cult status
But to me youre still a collector

Theres tarts and whores but youre much more
Youre a different kind cause you want their minds
And you just dont care cause youve got no pride
Its just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you

And you started looking much older
And your fashion sense is second rate like your perfume
But to you in your little dream world
Youre still the queen of the butterfly collectors

As you carry on cause its all you know
You cant light a fire
You cant cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off

And I dont care about morals
cause the worlds insane and were all to blame anyway
And I dont feel any sorrow
Towards the kings and queens of the butterfly collectors

Theres tarts and whores but youre much more
Youre a different kind cause you want their minds
And you just dont care cause youve got no pride
Its just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you

As you carry on cause its all you know
You cant light a fire
You cant cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off

And I dont feel any sorrow
Towards the kings and queens of the butterfly collectors

ziakut
(A place with air, water and chocolate.)

Posted: Dec 21, 2010 - 08:13

I like the doubled vocal sound...works here.

treatment_bound
(Duluth to Madison)

Posted: Nov 10, 2010 - 09:34

Stranglersfan wrote:

If memory serves I think it was on a double LP called,"Snap"
Terrific track

Nice Shot, Stranglersfan! Here's the original track listing on the double-vinyl Snap! album:

Disc 1