You're a Builder Upper
Will Osborne And His Orchestra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you want to
You are able to make me feel that I'm Clark Gable
Then next minute you make me feel
I'm something from the zoo
First you warm up, then you're distant
Never knew a girl so inconsistent
I'm a big-shot at half past one
A so-and-so by two
Heaven forgive you for your sins
Keeping me on meaner than him

You're a builder-upper, a breaker-downer
A holder-outer, and I'm a giver-inner
Sad but true, I'm a sapper or two
Taking it from a big rover like you
Don't know where I'm after
I'm just a this-er, then I'm a that-er
A taker on the chin-er
My, my, my, what a weakie am I
To love you as I do

Just when I'm ready to sob
You hand me a throb
And everything is hunky-dory
And that's my story
Open your arms and I'm a stooge for your charms
You're a builder-upper, a breaker-downer
A holder-outer and I'm a giver-inner
Sad but true, I love it I do
Being broken by a builder-upper like you

Sad but true, I love it I do
Being broken by a builder-upper like you

Overall Meaning

The song "You're a Builder Upper" by Will Osborne And His Orchestra is a playful take on the rollercoaster of emotions one experiences when falling in love with someone who is unpredictable and inconsistent. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings of being both elated and dejected by the actions of their love interest. One moment, the singer feels like a movie star, but the next, they feel like an animal in a zoo. The love interest goes hot and cold, making the singer feel unsure and vulnerable.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the push-and-pull dynamic of the relationship, as the love interest is described as a "builder-upper, a breaker-downer, a holder-outer" while the singer is a "giver-inner." The singer acknowledges that they are willing to be taken advantage of and hurt by this person they love, even though they know it's not good for them. Despite this, the singer still finds themselves drawn to this person and willing to endure the pain.


Overall, the song captures the conflicting emotions that often come with falling in love, especially when it's with someone who is unpredictable and hard to read.


Line by Line Meaning

When you want to
If you choose to, you have the power to


You are able to make me feel that I'm Clark Gable
You have the ability to make me feel like a movie star


Then next minute you make me feel
However, you can also quickly make me feel


I'm something from the zoo
Embarrassed and belittled like an animal in a zoo


First you warm up, then you're distant
You start off affectionate, then become cold and distant


Never knew a girl so inconsistent
I have never met someone so unpredictable


I'm a big-shot at half past one
At one moment, I feel important and powerful


A so-and-so by two
But by two o'clock, I feel like a nobody


Heaven forgive you for your sins
You should ask for forgiveness for your actions


Keeping me on meaner than him
You treat me worse than anyone else


You're a builder-upper, a breaker-downer
You build me up and tear me down


A holder-outer, and I'm a giver-inner
You withhold affection, and I give in to your demands


Sad but true, I'm a sapper or two
It's sad, but I endure a lot


Taking it from a big rover like you
Dealing with someone who asserts their power over me


Don't know where I'm after
I'm not sure what I'm doing


I'm just a this-er, then I'm a that-er
I'm constantly changing my behavior to please you


A taker on the chin-er
I take whatever you throw at me


My, my, my, what a weakie am I
I feel like such a pushover


To love you as I do
Despite everything, I still love you


Just when I'm ready to sob
When I'm about to cry


You hand me a throb
You give me something to feel good about


And everything is hunky-dory
Suddenly everything feels great


And that's my story
That's just how it is for me


Open your arms and I'm a stooge for your charms
I can't resist your charm and fall for it every time


Sad but true, I love it I do
It's sad, but I still love it


Being broken by a builder-upper like you
I enjoy being torn down by someone like you




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: E. Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN, IRA GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@CPorter

Those of you coming from RubixRaptor, I've watched his video, and it's everything I've been hoping for: gamers with large audiences to actually use this music--And using it in such a creative way too! I encourage each of you to keep exploring this music, rather than just getting used to several or a few dozen songs you may hear from Fallout, Bioshock, Mafia, or videos like his. We need more people hearing this stuff, so people will want to preserve it for future generations, so that countless others can hear and love this as much as you probably do. Helping to preserve the legacy of all the artists such as Will Osborne, Elton Britt, and all the others featured there.

@IPhonola

Most outstanding!

@TheAloweWolf

another fabulous tune.. so endlessly warm and overpowering!!!! Oh.. I Love it!!!!!! thank you ..and do take care!!!

@jyttethagaardnielsen3568

Thank you for another lovely song with Will Osborne !!!! Both his singing and the music is wonderful - what a rhythm !! Warm greetings from Jytte

@KairosQ

Sent here from rubixraptor, this music is👌

@CPorter

who's rubixraptor?

@ivongrey9047

@@CPorter He is a Arma youtuber

@ladycallidora

Thanks for another gem from Will Osborne!! His records are so cheering!!

@henkgloudemans8886

What a fantastic sound !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@therealvivigee

I used this song in my recent game, i really like music from this era so it was a treat to find out who Will Osborne is!

More Comments

More Versions