The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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
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
Lyrics submitted by Psychedeliasmith, edited by mahouse, gZDFgdgrgdg
Build Me Up Buttercup Lyrics as written by Mike D'abo Tony Macauley
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is truly one of the awesome oldies that are meant to be turned up all the way. Not only to mask the peple that can't sing for crap and don't know the words, but also to fully enjoy the song itself. It's a great song for when you have the blues and it's my top pick when my parents are drivng in the car.
this song is great for those who can enjoy a real song! it's basically how we feel when we want a certain someone to call or come over because you want to be with them... even though the other person has other things they want to do.. you are going to still love and adore the person that build you up!
This is a total kareoke winner! It reminds me of my boyfriend's habits sometimes though :(
Great song, about loving someone but they just let you down and yet you keep loving them. My mates and I will just start singing it in lessons, best way of filling silence!
This song is about a guy getting screwed over by a girl he loves, she dosent ring him up and sometimes lets him down. He is upset, but loves her so much it dosen't matter. I think its a beautiful song.
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's fun to sing along too.
I heard this song from the movie 'There's something about Mary'. that movie was so funny, and i like this song now.
It's at the end of 'There's someting about Mary' And ends the movie well! It's a song that's perfect for drunken karaoke!
this is my happy song! if im ever feeling down, i put this on, jump around the room like a complete idiot, and at the end of it, theres always a smile on my face! thank u foundations, for the most awesome, good mood song ever!
me and my completely heterosexual friends break out into this song all the time. it's sad but fun.