Love Is Like a Butterfly
Love Is Like a Butterfly is the fourteenth solo studio album by Dolly Parton. It was released on September 16, 1974, by RCA Victor. The title track was the third consecutive single to reach #1 on the U.S. country charts for Parton. For the few years before her pop chart success, "Butterfly" was considered Parton's signature song and was used as the theme song for her 1976 syndicated music series Dolly!. The album peaked at # 7 on the country albums charts. The album was rereleased on iTunes in March 2014 the same day as her 2014 album Blue Smoke was made available for pre-order.
Love Is Like a Butterfly | ||||
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Studio album by Dolly Parton | ||||
Released | September 16, 1974 | |||
Recorded | RCA Studio B, Nashville, June – July 1974 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Label | RCA Nashville | |||
Producer | Bob Ferguson | |||
Dolly Parton chronology | ||||
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Singles from Love Is Like a Butterfly | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | B[2] |
Critical reception
In a positive review of the album, Billboard said, "Beginning with her beautiful hit single, Miss Parton sings a variety of songs which demonstrate her stature in this business. It's an outstanding album, full of great songs, most of which she wrote herself, and covering a great many subjects. Some are ballads, some up-tempo, and she handles everything with grace." The review noted "If I Could Cross Your Mind", "Gettin' Happy", and "Once Upon a Memory" as the best tracks on the album. The review concluded with a note to record dealers, saying that the album has "an outstanding cover, which merits prominent display."[3]
Another positive review of the album from Cashbox said, "Whether with Porter or by herself the inimitable songbird Dolly Parton will have an avid following [in] whatever she chooses to do or whomever she chooses to sing with. Her voice is light, airy, and deliciously unique. She has a vocal style and timbre that truly set her apart from the other female contenders. The collection of material is representative and Dolly carries all the tunes off with superb excellence. Included with the title track which is her present charted single is "If I Cross Your Mind" that is a ballad of prime degree exemplifying Dolly's very special warble. The review noted "Take Me Back", "Sacred Memories", and "Blackie, Kentucky" as the best tracks on the album.[4]
Track listing
All songs are written by Dolly Parton, except where indicated.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Recording date | Length |
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1. | "Love Is Like a Butterfly" | July 16, 1974 | 2:22 | |
2. | "If I Cross Your Mind" | Porter Wagoner | July 18, 1974 | 2:40 |
3. | "My Eyes Can Only See You" | July 16, 1974 | 2:48 | |
4. | "Take Me Back" | July 16, 1974 | 2:37 | |
5. | "Blackie, Kentucky" | July 16, 1974 | 3:30 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Recording date | Length |
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6. | "Gettin' Happy" | July 16, 1974 | 2:38 | |
7. | "You're the One That Taught Me How to Swing" | July 18,1974 | 2:07 | |
8. | "Highway Headin' South" | Wagoner | July 18, 1974 | 2:05 |
9. | "Once Upon a Memory" | July 16, 1974 | 3:11 | |
10. | "Sacred Memories" | September 1, 1972 | 2:42 |
References
- Love Is Like a Butterfly at AllMusic
- Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: P". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 10, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- "Top Album Picks" (PDF). American Radio History. Billboard. September 28, 1974. p. 72. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
- "Cashbox/Country Reviews - LPs" (PDF). American Radio History. Cashbox. September 14, 1974. p. 34. Retrieved January 17, 2020.