Tonight, I saw this song mentioned on Twitter, and just the mention of it made my toes start tapping. I was sure this was one I had never played here before, but as I searched the archives just to be sure, I found that at the request of my soul-sister Patty, I played it in May 2019 … well, it’s been almost two years, so it’s time for a redux. I don’t know about you, but my spirits could use a bit of a toe-tapping, upbeat song tonight!
Released in 1968, this was written by Mike D’Abo and Tony Macaulay. D’Abo was lead singer of Manfred Mann, and Macaulay was a successful songwriter who also wrote The Foundations hit Baby Now That I’ve Found You as well as songs by The Hollies, Andy Williams and The New Seekers. This song was first offered to David Essex, who turned it down because he didn’t like the title!
This hit #3 in the U.S., #2 in the UK, and #1 in Canada.
Build Me Up Buttercup
The Foundations
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
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
Ooh ooh 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
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?
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
Ooh ooh 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
Songwriters: Tony Macauley / Mike D’Abo
Build Me Up Buttercup lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
Filosofa's Word 
Pingback: ♫ Build Me Up Buttercup ♫ (Redux) – MobsterTiger
I’ve always felt there’s a discord between the lyrics which indicate frustration or sadness, and the melody which is uplifting and cheerful.
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Probably so … well, definitely so … but I focus on the music and don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics.
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Each to their own 😊
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Can’t sit still listening to this one! It’s funny how the lyrics are a little sad – the singer is frustrated – though in the end, he’s saying build me, don’t break my heart, Yet the music is so uplifting. Maybe Buttercup just wants to be footloose and fancy free. Maybe it doesn’t matter, cause it’s such a fun song regardless.
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So true! It’s a fun, upbeat song that chases the blues away! I usually pay far more attention to the song … the music, the rhythm, the energy … than the lyrics (being nearly deaf, I always hear the lyrics wrong anyway), so I don’t hear the sadness in this one! Toe-tapping, it is!
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Feeling the music must be one of your superpowers! 🙂
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Only with headphones turned up! But yes, I do enjoy the music. One of my funniest faux pas with lyrics was a song that I thought one line was “Help me, Agnes”, and my daughter, the musician, heard me singing it one day and corrected me … it was “Hey, I’ve looked …” Ah well … I enjoy the music!
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It’s so funny what we hear sometimes. I thought for years that “Eminence Front” was livin in a bus.
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🤣
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Always liked this song!
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Good … now get up and DANCE! Hugs, my friend!
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Yes!
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Just a fun song. Thanks, Keith
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I agree! Fun and upbeat … just what the doctor ordered!
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Oh, and ear worm repaid as I sing and hum the song.
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Good! Your turn next …
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PS – There is a cute GEICO commercial with a woman dreaming of riding her motorcycle while singing this song. She then realizes she is standing in line singing and others save her embarrassment by joining in. Keith
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Since I don’t watch television, I hadn’t seen that commercial, but I found it on line and … I loved it … it brought a smile to my otherwise scowling face! Thank you, my friend!
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Oooh yes! Love this song! Happy feeling one! Good choice! 🙂
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AWESOME! I’m so glad you liked it! Yes, it is just a fun, upbeat song that gets the toes tapping!
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Great one, Jill.
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Thanks John … glad you liked it!
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A classic from my teenage years. I didn’t realise it did so well over there, though.
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I’m glad you liked it! By the same token, I was surprised it did so well over there! It’s just a fun, upbeat song … how could anyone not like it?
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They were ‘our’ band! A mixture of West Indians, white Brits and a Sri Lankan, and we took to them straightaway. Their debut single, Baby Now That I’ve Found You, was #1 here, and this was the follow up. If you haven’t already featured them I also highly recommend The Equals, whose Baby Come Back was a massive hit here.
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I didn’t know that! Obviously I didn’t do my homework on this one. It just didn’t seem like the kind of music you guys like. Oh, I do remember that song, and no, I haven’t featured them yet … thanks for the suggestion!
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Soul music has long been popular here – lots of Motown and Stax acts have graced our charts, and other labels have picked it up too. And we have even had our own bands too 😉
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YES!!!!! Thank you, Jill! I love this song!!!!! 💙
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When I looked at the post from last time I played it, I found I had played it for my friend and soul-sister, so I was hoping you’d see it again this time ’round! Glad you liked it! Love you! ❤
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Love you, too!!!!! 💙💙💙💙💙💙
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😊 💖💖💖
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Brilliant. Who knows I might even have been in the crowd dancing.
Cwtch
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AHA! I thought I saw you in there! Hope this made your toes tap just a bit!
Cwtch
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Yeah, the best for this afternoon, with nice weather and shining sun! Thank you, Jill! I hope you have nice weather conditions too, and enjoy a wonderful day! Michael
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We did have beautiful weather this weekend … not a cloud in the sky, plenty of sunshine. The temps were still a bit on the cool side, but several of our neighbors grilled out, which has made me eager to fire up the grill, perhaps next weekend! And now, it’s Monday again — have a great week, Michael!
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Congrats, Jill! Seems spring is on your site. Here we are going back to cold, toll next Sunday! Thank you, enjoy your week too. Michael
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Yes, it is in the 60s today (17° C) and supposed to stay warm all week until Saturday, when it turns cold again … just the opposite of yours!
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Wow! One should have teleportation. 🙂
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If you figure it out, come on over … you’re always welcome here!
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