Build Me Up Buttercup
The Foundations Lyrics


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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'll be over at ten," you told me time and again
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 happy (hey, hey, hey)
I'll be home, I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

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

To you, I'm a 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 happy (hey, hey, hey)
I'll be home, I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

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 more than anyone, baby




You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) buttercup

Overall Meaning

The Foundations' 1968 single "Build Me Up Buttercup" is a classic pop song that tells a tale of unrequited love with a catchy upbeat melody. The song expresses frustration and confusion about a relationship that is unstable and unreliable. The lyrics describe a story of someone who is constantly let down by their partner who doesn't follow through on promises and never calls when they say they will. Despite the disappointment, the singer is still in love with their partner and hopes for a change.


The lyrics imply the feeling of powerlessness in the situation. The singer wants to be "built up" and considered important to their partner, but instead, they are constantly let down and left waiting. The chorus's repetition of "build me up, buttercup," emphasizes the significance of the singer's desire to be valued and treated with care in the relationship. The song's tone and style portray a cheerful and upbeat vibe that contrasts the unhappy tone of the lyrics.


The song's popularity has continued to this day, thanks to numerous covers and its use in various films, TV shows, and advertisements. Its catchy tune and relatable lyrics make it a timeless favorite.


Line by Line Meaning

Why do you build me up (build me up) buttercup, baby
Why do you give me hope and raise my expectations, only to disappoint me?


Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around?
Why do you cause me pain and confusion by breaking your promises?


And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
Why do you ignore me and fail to communicate, making me feel unimportant?


When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
Despite your flaws, I still have strong feelings of love for you


I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
Out of everyone in the world, I desire and depend on you the most


You know that I have from the start
My love for you has existed since the beginning of our relationship


So build me up (build me up) buttercup, don't break my heart
Please continue to make me feel important and loved, and do not hurt me


"I'll be over at ten," you told me time and again
You repeatedly made a promise that you failed to follow through on


But you're late, I wait around and then (bah-dah-dah)
As a result of your unreliability, I am left feeling disappointed and frustrated


It's not you, you let me down again (hey, hey, hey)
Although I do not blame you entirely, your actions have caused me emotional pain yet again


To you, I'm a toy, but I could be the boy you adore
You treat me as if I am a plaything, but if you were to give me a chance, I could be the one you truly love


If you'd just let me know (bah-dah-dah)
If you were more honest and open with me, I could better understand your feelings and intentions


Although you're untrue, I'm attracted to you all the more
Even though you are not always faithful, my love for you continues to grow


Why do I need you so? (Hey, hey, hey)
Despite the pain you cause me, I still cannot help but desire and depend on you


I-I-I need you more than anyone, baby
My need for you is stronger than anyone else's, and I cannot imagine my life without you




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tony Macauley, Mike D'Abo

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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