Butterflies was a British sitcom series written by Carla Lane broadcast on BBC2 from 1978 to 1983.
The situation is the day-to-day life of the Parkinson family in a bittersweet style. There are both traditional comedy sources (Ria's cooking, family squabbles) and more unusual sources such as Ria's unconsummated relationship with the outwardly-successful Leonard. Ria is still in love with her husband, Ben, and has raised two potentially fine sons, yet finds herself dissatisfied and in need of something more. Throughout the series Ria searches for that "something more" and finds some solace in her unconventional friendship with Leonard. In a 2002 interview, Carla Lane explained, "I wanted to write a comedy about a woman contemplating adultery."
In the first episode, an expository discussion between Ria and Leonard alludes to the significance of the series' title: "We are all kids chasing butterflies. You see it, you want it, you grab it, and there it is, all squashed in your hand." She adds, "I am one of the few lucky ones, I have a pleasant house, a pleasant man and two pleasant sons. My butterfly didn't get squashed." Ria's husband Ben collects and studies butterflies.
You said I gave you butterflies
Then you flew out of my life
When I'm beside you it's enough to blow my mind
I heard you whisper that you wanted to be mine
And I was always hoping that I could find someone like you (someone like you)
The way you take my hand and the way you touch my face
It got me thinking that I don't wanna be no other place
It got me thinking that I have felt someone like you (someone like you)
But it ain't like that
Lets turn the time back
To when you told me you had to take your heart back
You had me waiting
Anticipating
Everything we could've been
You said I gave you butterflies
Then you flew out of my life, baby
Butterflies
Then you flew out of my life
And in the morning when the sun was coming up
I had you with me never wanting to wake up
And I couldn't let go because I was with someone like you (someone like you)
But when you flew away it didn't feel right
Girl, I was changing and nothing I could take could change your mind
Even though you let me go I still want someone like you (someone like you)
But it ain't like that
Lets turn the time back
To when you told me you had to take your heart back
Had me waiting
Anticipating
Everything we could've been
You said I gave you butterflies
Then you flew out of my life, baby
Butterflies
Then you flew out of my life
You said I gave you butterflies
Then you flew out of my life, baby
Butterflies
Then you flew out of my life
(Flew out of my life)
But it ain't like that
Lets turn the time back
To when you told me you had to take your heart back
You had me waiting
Anticipating
Everything we could've been
You said I gave you butterflies
Then you flew out of my life, baby
Butterflies
Then you flew out of my life
You said I gave you butterflies
Gave you butterflies
Gave you butterflies
Gave you butterflies
(Gave you butterflies)