Huey Lewis & the News is an Academy Award-nominated American rock band base… Read Full Bio ↴Huey Lewis & the News is an Academy Award-nominated American rock band based in San Francisco, California. They had a run of hit singles during the 1980s and early 1990s, scoring a total of 19 top-ten singles across the US Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and Mainstream Rock charts. Their greatest success was with their number-one album, 'Sports'. Their worldwide fame expanded when their recording of "The Power of Love" was featured as a key track in the 1985 movie "Back to the Future" (in which Huey Lewis made a cameo appearance). The song became a number-one hit, and it was nominated for an Academy Award.

From a first single in 1979, the group successfully combined a pop rock and power pop (and sometimes, a blues rock) influenced backing with harmony side-vocals and Lewis' strident voice, and the band had numerous hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s. These include "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" (both of which were featured in the film "Back to the Future"), "I Want a New Drug", "Doin' It All (For My Baby)", "Do You Believe in Love?" "Hip to Be Square", "Stuck With You", and "Jacob's Ladder". Huey Lewis shared three Grammy awards, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award along with several artists for his role singing the 1985 charity song "We Are the World" as well.

=Albums=
Huey Lewis & the News (1980)
Picture This (1982) [#13 U.S. Gold]
Sports (1983) [#1 U.S. 7x Platinum]
Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985) [Gold]
Fore! (1986) [#1 U.S. 3x Platinum]
Small World (1988) [#11 U.S. Platinum]
Hard at Play (1991) [#27 U.S. Gold]
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Best of Huey Lewis and The News (1992)
Four Chords & Several Years Ago (1994) [#55 U.S.]
Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News (1996) [#185 U.S.]
Plan B (2001) [#165 U.S.]
Live at 25 (2005)
Greatest Hits & Videos (2006) [#70 U.S.]

www.hueylewisandthenews.com

Build Me Up
Huey Lewis & The News Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't try to tell me why
You just can't get enough of me
So fine, so unkind
I can tell that you're using me
You just using me
You know what you do to me

You just build me up

And then you let me down
Make you feel like a man
And treat me like a clown

So strong, but you so wrong
Should've known it all along
So nice, like paradise
I got this feeling I'll be paying price
Paying price for you
I'll be paying for the rest of my life
That ain't nice

You just build me up
And then you act so cool
Make you feel like a flame
And treat me like a fool

Got me hangin'
On a string

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Huey Lewis & The News's song Build Me Up are about a toxic relationship between two people. The singer seems to have been blindsided by this person who is using them for their own selfish gain. Despite being mistreated, the singer cannot resist the other person's charms and keeps coming back for more. This person builds them up with compliments and affection only to then let them down and treat them poorly. The singer realizes that they have been used the whole time and will continue to pay the price for falling for their lies.

The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer challenges the other person and accuses them of using them for their own selfish purposes. The second verse reveals that the singer has figured out that this person is not who they seem, but despite this knowledge, they still feel trapped in the relationship. The final verse is the most heartbreaking as the singer is left hanging on a string and unable to let go of this toxic person who continues to use them.

Overall, Build Me Up is a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling for someone who only has their own interests in mind. It's a reminder to be wary of people who talk a big game but don't back it up with their actions.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't try to tell me why
I don't want to hear any excuses or reasons from you

You just can't get enough of me
You have a strong desire for me and can't resist me

So fine, so unkind
You appear attractive and charming but treat me badly

I can tell that you're using me
I am aware and able to see that you are taking advantage of me

You just using me
You are only interested in taking advantage of me

You know what you do to me
You are fully aware of the effect you have on me

You just build me up
You make me feel good about myself

And then you let me down
But then you disappoint or hurt me

Make you feel like a man
I make you feel powerful or masculine

And treat me like a clown
But then you disrespect or humiliate me

So strong, but you so wrong
You appear confident and capable, but your actions are unethical or immoral