Build Me Up Buttercup

by The Foundations
Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
Looking to play this yourself? Try the standard piano arrangement of “Build Me Up Buttercup”
Two-handed piano arrangement — color-coded notes, lead sheet, sheet music. Learn it yourself.

Other arrangements of Build Me Up Buttercup

Pick a learning view or switch to the backing-track version.

Lyrics

Why do you build me up (Build me up) But ter cup ba by, just to (F)let me down (Let me down) and (F)mess me a (G)round?

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you (E7)nev er call, ba by, when you (F)say you will.

(Say you will.) But (F)I love you (G)still.

I need you (I need you) more than a ny one, darl ing.

You (F)know that I have from the (Dm7)start.

So (C)build me up (Build me up) But ter cup, don’t break my (F)heart.

“I’ll be (C)o ver at ten” you told me (Bb)time and a gain, but you’re late.

I wait a (F)round and then I (C)run to the door, I can’t take a ny more, it’s not you.

You let me (F)down a gain.

Ba by, ba by (G7)try to find (Hey, hey, (Em7)hey!) a lit tle time and (A7)I’ll make you hap py.

(F)I’ll be home, I’ll be be (D7)side the phone wait ing for (G)you.

(CN.C.)Ooh.

(Ooh.)

Why do you build me up (Build me up) But ter cup ba by, just to (F)let me down (Let me down) and (F)mess me a (G)round?

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you (E7)nev er call, ba by, when you (F)say you will.

(Say you will.) But (F)I love you (G)still.

I need you (I need you) more than a ny one, darl ing.

You (F)know that I have from the (Dm7)start.

So (C)build me up (Build me up) But ter cup, don’t break my (F)heart.

“I’ll be (C)o ver at ten” you told me (Bb)time and a gain, but you’re late.

I wait a (F)round and then I (C)run to the door, I can’t take a ny more, it’s not you.

You let me (F)down a gain.

Ba by, ba by (G7)try to find (Hey, hey, (Em7)hey!) a lit tle time and (A7)I’ll make you hap py.

(F)I’ll be home, I’ll be be (D7)side the phone wait ing for (G)you.

(CN.C.)Ooh.

(Ooh.)

Why do you build Why do you build (A)heart.

(A11)I, I, I need (D)you more than a ny one ba by.

You (G)know that I have from the (Em7)start.

So (D)build me up (Build me up) But ter cup, don’t break my (G)heart.

Build Me Up Buttercup — Piano Accompaniment Track

9 people have learned this song

Free piano accompaniment for "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations. Sing along or play your instrument over the backing piano. Toggle the vocal melody on/off, change key to fit your voice, adjust tempo. Key of C, 136 BPM.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (C) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “Build Me Up Buttercup”

How do the bar-notation visuals help sing "Build Me Up Buttercup" with this backing?
Each chord change drops as a colored bar across the staff, scrolling in real time so you can see exactly when the harmony shifts. Helpful for hitting entrances and judging when to breathe — especially on phrases that don't begin on beat 1 of "Build Me Up Buttercup".
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations in?
The backing track is in C at 136 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Build Me Up Buttercup" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Build Me Up Buttercup"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Build Me Up Buttercup", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Build Me Up Buttercup" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Build Me Up Buttercup"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Build Me Up Buttercup"?
"Build Me Up Buttercup" was originally performed by The Foundations. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by The Foundations are available?
Other accompaniments by The Foundations: "Build Me Up, Buttercup". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
How do I use "Build Me Up Buttercup" as a backing track?
Just press play — the piano accompaniment runs from start to end, no vocals. Sing, hum, or play your own instrument over it. Use the mic icon to add a vocal melody as a pitch reference, and the speed control if you want a slower practice tempo.
Can I change the key of "Build Me Up Buttercup" to fit my voice?
Yes — the original is in C, but the player has a live transpose control so you can shift up or down semitones until the melody sits in your vocal range. The piano accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.

More songs you might like

Build Me Up Buttercup, The Foundations
C

Build Me Up Buttercup

The Foundations

Beginner136 BPM
BUILD ME UP, BUTTERCUP, The Foundations
C

BUILD ME UP, BUTTERCUP

The Foundations

Easy142 BPM
BABY, NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU, The Foundations
C

BABY, NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU

The Foundations

Easy116 BPM
Build Me Up, Buttercup, The Foundations
C

Build Me Up, Buttercup

The Foundations

Medium136 BPM
BRIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, Van Morrison
C

BRIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD

Van Morrison

Easy120 BPM
NOBODY'S CHILD, The Traveling Wilburys
Ab

NOBODY'S CHILD

The Traveling Wilburys

Medium112 BPM
VIENNA, Billy Joel
Eb

VIENNA

Billy Joel

Easy85 BPM
RUNAWAY, Avril Lavigne
C

RUNAWAY

Avril Lavigne

Medium134 BPM
Cosmic Love, Florence And The Machine
C

Cosmic Love

Florence And The Machine

Medium140 BPM
LAST PARTY, Mika
C

LAST PARTY

Mika

Medium120 BPM
BLOODY MARY, Lady Gaga
C

BLOODY MARY

Lady Gaga

Medium103 BPM
I AM CHANGING, Tom Eyen
C

I AM CHANGING

Tom Eyen

Medium99 BPM