B-side "Shades of Grace" Format 12" Label Diadem/Jive | Released April 1997 Length 5:38 | |
Writer(s) Bob Carlisle
Randy Thomas | ||
"Butterfly Kisses" is a song written by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas from Carlisle's third studio album Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace). The song was written for his daughter Brooke's 16th birthday. Carlisle also wrote a journal entitled Butterfly Kisses for fathers and their daughters. There have been many cover versions of the song including Raybon Brothers, Jeff Carson, Westlife and Cliff Richard.
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Chart performance
Carlisle's rendition of the song became a major radio hit in United States, reaching the top 10 of Hot 100 Airplay and becoming a number-one single on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song also received a Dove Award for Song of the Year, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. It is also Carlisle's only chart single.
Raybon Brothers version
The same year that Carlisle's version was released, two different country music artists recorded covers of the song. These covers would overlap with his version, which was also a minor hit on the country charts. The higher-peaking cover was issued by the Raybon Brothers, a duo composed of Marty Raybon (former lead singer of Shenandoah) and his brother Tim. The Raybon Brothers' version was a number 37 country and number 22 Hot 100 hit in 1997. One of three singles for the duo, it was also the title track to the Raybon Brothers' 1997 MCA Records debut album. The Raybon Brothers' rendition received RIAA gold certification.
Jeff Carson version
Jeff Carson also recorded his own version on his second album for Curb Records, which was also titled Butterfly Kisses. Carson's version peaked at number 63 on the country music charts. The album also featured an alternate version of the song, which contained elements from Kippi Brannon's then-current single "Daddy's Little Girl".
Other versions
There are other versions recorded including: