Why Butterflies Will Forever Remind Us of Dolly Parton’s Hope, Joy and Ambitious Spirit
From her 1974 hit song to secret tattoos, see how the country queen turned a bug into her legacy
Key Takeaways
- Dolly Parton’s 1974 number-one hit song solidified her long connection to butterflies.
- The country music icon officially claimed the insect as her personal symbol as a kid.
- From the Dollywood logo to her perfumes, butterflies define Dolly Parton's brand.
As fans mourn the loss of beloved country superstar Dolly Parton, amazing tributes to her legacy are coming forward. You may have even noticed something special on Google today! When you search Dolly’s name on the website, you’ll be greeted with a unique animation of fluttering monarchs that travel across your computer screen and a brief “We’ll always love you 1946-2026” dedication at the end. Many would agree it’s the perfect way to honor a singer whose connection to butterflies is legendary. Learn more below about how this lovely pairing came to be and why butterflies will forever be tied to Dolly’s memory.
How ‘Love Is Like a Butterfly’ became Dolly’s signature song
Dolly’s association with these beautiful winged creatures started thanks to a hit song in the 1970s! In August 1974, she released the single “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” which beautifully describes those warm feelings you get when sparks start flying.
The lyrics:
“Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a sigh / The multicolored moods of love are like its satin wings / Love makes your heart feel strange inside, it flutters like soft wings in flight / Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing”
Her upbeat tune and relatable lyrics resonated with listeners everywhere, turning “Love Is Like a Butterfly” into yet another fan favorite. The song quickly climbed the Billboard country chart and secured the highly coveted number one spot for a week! It was so popular that it stayed on the chart for 12 weeks.
Two years later, in 1976, “Love Is Like a Butterfly” made a comeback as the opening theme for her TV variety show Dolly!. Watch her delightful performance to kick off the program below:
The childhood memory that started Dolly’s butterfly obsession
The 1974 song isn’t the only connection Dolly had to the beloved insects. Her love of butterflies can actually be traced back to her childhood in the Smoky Mountains.
“I used to get in trouble with my mom, ’cause they’d have to come find me and I’d be chasing a butterfly from one bush to another,” she shared in a 2021 W Magazine interview.
“Butterflies don’t sting, they don’t bite, and they are so beautiful,” Dolly went on to explain. “And I just kind of related to them with my own personality. I claimed them as my little symbol.”
They meant so much to her that she even got a couple butterfly tattoos over the years, she told W Magazine.
How the butterfly became the ultimate Dolly Parton symbol
When Dolly said she claimed butterflies as her own little symbol, she wasn’t joking! The insects are now as synonymous with the singer as country music itself. Her iconic theme park, Dollywood, includes a butterfly as the “W” in its logo and much of her merchandise—from perfume to home decor—is decorated with them.
Dolly also took inspiration from the insects to create a beautiful fashion statement, often wearing custom dresses covered in butterfly-shaped sequins. (And let’s not forget the spectacular 3D butterfly dress she posted on Instagram to tease the launch of her book Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones.)
Beautiful finds to honor Dolly’s memory with butterflies
In some cultures, butterflies symbolize the spirits of departed loved ones, making them a fitting icon to keep Dolly’s memory alive. If you’d love to honor her legacy with some butterfly merchandise, here are a few of our tops picks:
- Dolly’s Scent from Above perfume ($29.97). The playful floral scent promises “bright fragrance notes that float like a butterfly in a garden” and the elegant bottle features a a gorgeous pink butterfly on top.
- Blue butterfly t-shirt ($24.99). Her country charm shines through in this women’s graphic t-shirt, which showcases a young Dolly dressed to impress and surrounded by patriotic-colored butterflies.
- Butterfly printed glass decor ($5). If you have a Dollar General store near you, you may be lucky enough to find some items still in stock from Dolly’s spring home collection. We especially love this decor piece that includes a fluttering blue butterfly, flowers and her signature.
The next time you see a butterfly near you, may it remind you of Dolly’s hope, ambitious spirit and joy!
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