Ten Ft Tall

Album: Feeler (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is inspired by a couple who Pete knew in Australia. He says that tragically the woman contracted terminal cancer and on the night of her funeral her partner was sitting on the bed staring out of the window when a butterfly flew through it and landed on his hand. The reason why this was so poignant was because "butterfly" was the nickname the man used to give his partner. Even stranger was that it was in the middle of winter, a time when you do not expect to see a butterfly. The song is about coping with a loss such as this. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ally - Liverpool, England

Comments: 1

  • Stevo from Queensland - AustraliaIt's a touching song Ally. Pete Murray introduced this song with a story one of the times we saw him in concert. That night he said the song was inspired by a friends wife/girlfriend who had passed from cancer. He also shared with the crowd that the mourners ended up at RG's (Royal George Hotel, Fortitude Valley) after the funeral & when last drinks were called (presumably midnight/1am in those days) a butterfly flew in and landed on the guy who's partner had passed. They were sure the butterfly was connected to the spirit of the woman as butterflies don't fly at night.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?