Meaning of "Flutter Girl" by Chris Cornell

The lyrics of "Flutter Girl" express deep feelings of unworthiness and an awareness of the singer's inability to provide anything meaningful or positive to the flutter girl. The imagery of butterflies and wings symbolize fragility, innocence, and beauty, contrasting with the roughness and coldness of the singer's hands. The repeated refrain "You don't wanna know what I live, you don't wanna take what I give, 'cause I give nothing for free" underscores a sense of self-awareness and a desire to protect the flutter girl from the darkness within him. The singer recognizes the potential for causing harm and destruction, both emotionally and metaphorically, and ultimately pushes the flutter girl away to save her from the pain he knows he will inevitably bring. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and self-imposed isolation, as the singer acknowledges his own flaws and the destructive nature of his interactions.