Around 2,000 children and teenagers auditioned for the show; from these twenty were chosen as contestants. Throughout the season, this number was narrowed down to five through several rounds of voting. Like American Idol, voting was done by the show's viewers via telephone. Unlike Idol, to prevent hurt feelings, the contestants were voted into the group, as opposed to being voted off the show. Idol host Ryan Seacrest repeated this duty for most of the shows. Idol judges did not appear (other than one satellite hookup with Simon Cowell from the second season of Pop Idol); the principal Juniors judges were Gladys Knight (who also hosted when Seacrest was absent), Deborah Gibson, and Justin Guarini (American Idol (Season 1) runner-up). A number of Idol alumni, such as Ruben Studdard and Christina Christian, made guest performances.
The five contestants who remained at the end of the season were formed into a group also named the American Juniors. They were Lucy Hale, Tori Thompson, Taylor Thompson, Chauncey Matthews, and Danielle White.
American Juniors became one of the highest rated televison shows of the summer season, with approximately 11.9 million viewers on June 3, though the numbers dropped 40% toward the end of July. Nonetheless, the producers were satisfied of the strong teen demographic. A second edition had been planned for fall 2003, later postponed to the summer after American Idol (Season 3), then called off. [1]
Seeing children and young adolescents competing gave some viewers a sour taste as the show had many "stage parents" in the wings. [2]
The American Juniors made a brief appearance on the December 2003 American Idol Christmas special, An American Idol Christmas. Their debut album American Juniors was released on October 26, 2004 after a year's delay from its original scheduled date.
The American Juniors group disbanded in 2005. The members seem to be pursuing individual efforts and there is little publicity about them as a group. The show website became inactive in April 2005, but the music website remains intact as an archive. In May 2005 the Thompson sisters' website announced they were now out on their own. [3]
Radio stations that play children's music (e.g, Disney, or digital radio) still occasionally play the music of American Juniors.
Build Me Up Buttercup
American Juniors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
But you're late, I wait around and then (bah-dah-dah)
I went to the door, I can't take any more
It's not you, you let me down again
(Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey!) A little time and I'll make you mine
(Hey, hey, hey!) I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-ooo
Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
You were my toy but I could be the boy you adore
If you'd just let me know (bah-dah-dah)
Although you're untrue, I'm attracted to you all the more
Why do I need you so
(Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey!) A little time and I'll make you mine
(Hey, hey, hey!) I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-ooo
Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
I-I-I need you-oo-oo more than anyone, baby
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
"Build Me Up Buttercup" is a classic hit from the 1960s that has been covered by many artists, including American Juniors in 2003. The song begins with the singer questioning why their significant other continually builds them up only to let them down, mess them around, and most of all, never call when they say they would. Despite these shortcomings, the singer admits they cannot help but love them and need them more than anyone else.
The chorus of "Build me up, Buttercup" expresses the singer's plea to their partner to not break their heart and build them up instead. The second verse showcases the singer's frustration with their partner's perpetual lateness and lack of reliability, leading them to wait around for nothing. Still, the singer holds out hope that their partner will come around and try to make things right.
Throughout the song, the singer maintains their affection for their partner despite the flaws in the relationship, and the catchy chorus of "Build Me Up Buttercup" emphasizes their desire to be built up, loved, and appreciated.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Why do you give me hope and make me feel special, only to disappoint me in the end?
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
You keep breaking my heart and playing with my feelings.
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
You don't even have the decency to follow through on your promises to me.
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
Even though you continually let me down, I still love you and believe in you.
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
I am desperate for your love and attention, more than anyone else in the world.
You know that I have from the start
My love for you has been unwavering since the beginning of our relationship.
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
Please keep making me feel special and loved, and don't hurt me like you have done in the past.
"I'll be over at ten", you told me time and again
You repeatedly promise to spend time with me, but always seem to show up late or not at all.
But you're late, I wait around and then (bah-dah-dah)
I patiently wait for you, but you continually keep me waiting and guessing.
It's not you, you let me down again
I know I shouldn't blame you for disappointing me, but it still hurts every time.
You were my toy but I could be the boy you adore
You may have seen me as just a plaything, but I have the potential to be the perfect partner for you.
If you'd just let me know (bah-dah-dah)
If you could just communicate with me honestly, we could have a real chance at a meaningful relationship.
Although you're untrue, I'm attracted to you all the more
Even though I know you don't always tell the truth or treat me well, I can't help but be drawn to you even more.
Why do I need you so
I don't understand why I can't seem to let go of my feelings for you, despite everything you have done to hurt me.
I-I-I need you-oo-oo more than anyone, baby
I am deeply, desperately in love with you, despite everything that has happened between us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tony Macauley, Mike D'Abo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind