Build Me Up, Buttercup

by The Foundations
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Download Sheet & MIDIPlay on Guitar
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 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 — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along

6 people have learned this song

Free karaoke for "Build Me Up, Buttercup" by The Foundations: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. 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”

Can I sing "Build Me Up, Buttercup" karaoke-style with the lyrics on screen?
Yes — Karaoke mode puts the lyrics of "Build Me Up, Buttercup" on screen a line at a time and lights up each word in time, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word and the chord shown just above. The piano backing plays underneath in C, and you can transpose it to fit your voice.
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.
Is there a karaoke version of "Build Me Up, Buttercup" with lyrics?
Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "Build Me Up, Buttercup" by The Foundations. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
Can I change the key of "Build Me Up, Buttercup" to match my voice or capo?
Yes. The original is in C, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
Can I slow "Build Me Up, Buttercup" down to learn the words and chords?
Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.

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