British singer-songwriter Grace Davies is set to re-release her deeply emotional single Butterflies, this time as a reimagined duet featuring Sonny Tennet. The new version follows the major success of her debut album The Wrong Side Of 25, further cementing her reputation as one of the UK’s most compelling emerging voices in contemporary pop music.
The collaborative rework transforms Butterflies from a one-sided emotional confession into a tender romantic dialogue between two voices, adding new layers of intimacy and storytelling depth to the track. Fans can expect to hear the single across streaming platforms and music discovery playlists as part of Davies’ continuing momentum throughout 2026.
A Heartfelt Song Inspired by Family Love and Loss
Butterflies is an intimate, delicate love song originally written about Davies’ grandparents’ battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The track opens with soft acoustic guitar instrumentation, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to sit at the forefront of the arrangement.
The songwriting reflects moments of love and memory amidst heartbreak, with poignant lines such as:
“When you’re tired of getting older / There’s creases ’round your eyes for all to see and when memories disappear I’ll still hold them dear ’cause butterflies don’t fly away with years.”
The minimal production allows the message of love, memory, and emotional resilience to shine, making it one of the standout moments from her debut album.
Sonny Tennet Brings New Emotional Depth to the Track
The duet version introduces Sonny Tennet’s smoky, soulful vocal style, wrapping around Davies’ signature velvety tone. The harmonies create a haunting, late-night confessional atmosphere that deepens the storytelling perspective of the song.
Tennet, who grew up performing alongside his father in pubs across South Shields from the age of 14, was naturally drawn to storytelling through music. His musical influences span soul, folk, country, and R&B, helping shape his rich and emotive vocal delivery.
Across his career, Tennet has achieved more than 80 million global streams. His single People, Places and Things landed on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist and received airplay across BBC Radio 1 Future Pop and BBC Introducing.
2026 is shaping up to be a major year for the artist, with multiple sync placements including:
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Television exposure through Love Island
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A feature in an upcoming Netflix documentary
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Commercial placement in a Nestlé campaign
Grace Davies on Writing Butterflies
Speaking about the song, Davies explained:
“I wrote Butterflies for my grandparents, who passed from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Watching them fade was heartbreaking, but in brief moments, their memories and love for each other returned. Instead of mourning, I turned their story into a love song they would have sung to each other in their better days — one that says: If we end up here, I will love you just the same.”
She added that collaborating with Tennet felt natural:
“I’ve been a huge fan of Sonny for years. His voice is unbelievable, and I was so excited when he agreed to feature on Butterflies. I just let him do his thing — and what he sent back added even more emotion to the track.”
Tennet also shared his perspective on the collaboration:
“I felt genuinely privileged to be part of Butterflies. You can hear how much emotion lives in the lyrics. I wanted to protect that feeling and let the song speak for itself.”
Rising Momentum for Grace Davies’ Career
Grace Davies has built a highly successful independent career, amassing over 100 million Spotify streams. She has received widespread media and radio support from outlets including:
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The Independent
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Clash Magazine
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BBC Radio networks
Her breakthrough came in 2017 when she appeared on The X Factor, performing original music throughout the competition — a first for the show. Her audition track roots went viral and helped secure her position as runner-up, reaching top positions across the iTunes charts.
Following the closure of her former label SYCO, Davies continued releasing music independently, including her 2021 EP I Wonder If You Wonder. The project featured roots, which charted in the UK Official Charts Top 100 and received heavy radio rotation across:
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BBC Radio 1
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BBC Radio 2
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Heart FM
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Capital FM
Her music has also become highly sought after for television and global sync licensing, appearing in shows such as:
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Love Island
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Strictly Come Dancing
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Britain’s Got Talent
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EastEnders
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MasterChef UK
Live Performance Debut at The Jazz Cafe
Davies debuted the new duet version of Butterflies during her sold-out show at The Jazz Cafe on 5 February 2026. Fans received the first live preview of the collaboration when Tennet joined her on stage for a special performance of the single.
What’s Next for Grace Davies?
Davies continues to draw inspiration from legendary artists including ABBA, ELO, and Robbie Williams, while vocally citing influences such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Adele.
As a proud Northern artist from Blackburn, Lancashire, her powerful stage presence and creative independence have made her a standout voice for women in the music industry. With her debut album now fully released, 2026 marks a defining moment in her artistic evolution.
