Build Me Up, Buttercup

by The Foundations
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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

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Also available as a standard piano arrangement
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 an y one, darl in’.

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,” I told you (Bb)time and a gain, but you’re late.

I wait ed (F)round and then I (C)run to the store, I can’t take an y more, with out you.

You let me (F)down a gain.

Ba by, ba by I (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

(CN.C.)you.

(You.)

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 an y one, darl in’.

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.

To (C)you I’m a toy and I could be the boy you a dore,

if you just (F)let me know.

Al (C)though you aren’t true I’m at tract ed to you all the more.

Why do you (F)treat me so?

Ba by, ba by I (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

(CN.C.)you.

(You.)

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 (Falling Notes)

4 people have learned this song

Free piano accompaniment for "Build Me Up, Buttercup" by The Foundations in falling-notes (Synthesia) style. Watch the chord notes fall as you sing or play your instrument over the backing. Adjustable key + tempo. Original key 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

Why does the accompaniment for "Build Me Up, Buttercup" show falling notes?
Falling Notes makes each chord visual — colored notes drop onto the keyboard so you can FEEL the rhythm of the backing before each entry. Singers find it easier to lock in with the piano's groove when they see the chord notes land instead of just hearing them.
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.
Can I use "Build Me Up, Buttercup" as a backing track for singing?
Yes — this is the piano accompaniment for Build Me Up, Buttercup by The Foundations, with the chord notes falling visually so you can see exactly when each chord lands. Original key is C; transpose live to fit your voice.
How is this different from the bar-sheet accompaniment?
Same audio backing — different visualization. Falling notes show each chord note dropping in real time (like Synthesia), which makes the chord rhythm easier to feel. Use whichever view helps you stay on the beat.

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