“Butterfly”: Mike Maimone Channels Love and Loss into His New Emotionally-Charged Single

Out now across all major streaming platforms, Mike Maimone’s latest single, “Butterfly”, is a stirring and deeply personal tribute to love, loss, and the subtle spiritual signs that help us navigate grief. Inspired by the passing of his husband, renowned publicist Howard Bragman, this new track delivers an emotional gut-punch wrapped in what Maimone calls “melancholy dance music”. This acts as the follow-up to his previous single, “Big Kiss”.

Musically, “Butterfly” is a stripped-back, piano-led ballad that gently guides the listener through the raw, unfiltered emotions of sorrow and healing. It leans heavily on poignant storytelling, with Maimone laying bare the emotional turmoil, self-doubt, and quiet moments of reflection that follow profound loss. The lyrics speak to the enduring power of love, how it lingers, comforts, and even guides us forward when the person we shared it with is no longer physically here.

Official single cover artwork for "Butterfly" which sees Mike Maimone holding out two mugs of coffee with the image hyper-filtered in a dark blue and light blue almost white tones.

There’s a vulnerability in both the words and the arrangement that makes “Butterfly” incredibly moving, as Maimone reflects on his life without his husband and the subtle signs that remind him to keep going. Heartfelt and soul-stirring, the track is a tribute to love’s ability to transcend even death—a reminder that it doesn’t end, it simply changes form.

“Butterfly” marks a pivotal turning point on Maimone’s upcoming album, “Guess What? I Love You”. The record is split into two emotional journeys: Side A celebrates the joyful, passionate moments of his relationship with Bragman, while Side B explores the painful reality of his husband’s battle with leukaemia and the aftermath of his death. Arriving near the end of the album, this poignant and emotional track serves as a moment of rebirth, where grief meets grace, and memory finds a melody.

We never move on, we move forward. This song is about carrying Howard with me.
Mike Maimone

The story behind “Butterfly” is as deeply touching as the song itself. In Bragman’s final hours, Mike Maimone sat beside him in the hospital, reading out heartfelt messages from friends and loved ones. One of those came from ABC-TV’s Dr. Jennifer Ashton, who simply wrote, “Send me butterflies.” What she didn’t know was how significant that message truly was. Butterflies had held deep meaning for Bragman ever since his mother passed away, having promised she’d send them as a sign from beyond. That symbolism came to life one day when a butterfly landed on his toast at an outdoor café—a moment that moved him so much, he kept a photo of it framed on his desk.

Not long after the funeral, Dr. Ashton reached out to Maimone again—this time in complete disbelief. While visiting a Medium who knew nothing about Bragman, she received messages that resonated deeply with Maimone. “It changed me,” he reflected, admitting that he hadn’t previously believed in such things. But losing someone he loved so deeply—and so suddenly—left him more open to signs from the other side.

In the weeks that followed, he embarked on a spontaneous trip to Mexico with friends, and upon entering the villa, a large butterfly immediately greeted him. “Hi, Howard,” he whispered. Moments later, he noticed a piano in the entryway. Its brand? “Howard”. Surrounded by butterflies throughout the week, Maimone eventually sat at that piano and began to channel his emotions into what would become “Butterfly.”

A selfie that Mike Maimone took of him and the Howard piano from Mexico.

Lyrically, the song is built around that enduring connection, including a personal ritual Maimone has adopted: pouring two cups of coffee each morning—one for himself and one for Howard. With its delicate balance of sorrow and celebration, “Butterfly” invites listeners to stay open to the world around them, even when it hurts. Maimone not only handled the writing, production, and mixing himself, but also brought together a talented group of musicians, including Rob Gould on drums, Patrick McIsaac on bass, Ellen Angelico on acoustic and electric guitars, and backing vocals by Nalani Rothrock to help bring the track to life.

Mike Maimone relaxing in a pool with one hand behind his back, showing off his hairy chest. — Photo Credit: Scott E Schwimer

Calling it “one of the best songs I’ve ever written,” Mike Maimone hopes “Butterfly” resonates with anyone who’s experienced the loss of someone they love, and the unexpected ways their presence continues to linger. A testament to healing through creativity, the song is a gentle reminder that sometimes, signs do appear when we need them the most.

“Butterfly”, by Mike Maimone, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via 8eat8 Records and Mile Too Far Music. Look out for his forthcoming seventh studio album, “Guess What? I Love You”, set to be released on February 13, 2026.