Build Me Up Buttercup chords

The Foundations

Original Published Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 136 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate 🟠

Guitar Chords: G, Gm, A, A7, Bb, C, C7, D, D7, E7, F, Fm

Arrangement Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
G Major Gm barre chord Gm barre chord A Major A7 Bb Major Bb Major barre chord C Major C7 D Major D7 E7 F Major F Major barre chord Fm Fm barre chord
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
G Major-LH Gm barre chord-LH Gm barre chord-LH A Major-LH A7-LH Bb Major-LH Bb Major barre chord-LH C Major-LH C7-LH D Major-LH D7-LH E7-LH F Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH Fm-LH Fm barre chord-LH
Speed: x0.1

Build Me Up Buttercup

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
          C     E7     F     G
Intro: |     |      |     |     |

          C     E7     F     G
       |     |      |     |     |   %  (Why do you)|
 
               C                         E7
CH: Why do you build me up (build me up) But-ter-cup ba-by
            F                             G
    Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me a-round
             C                               E7
    And then worst of all (worst of all) you nev-er call ba-by
             F                               G
    When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
           C                          C7
    I need you (I need you) more than a-ny-one dar-lin'
        F                         Fm
    You know that I have from the start (ah-ah-ah)
       C                         G
    So build me up (build me up) But-ter-cup
                     F     F   Em  Dm   C  G
    Don't break my | heart 2+  3+  4+ | 1  +2+3+4+ (I'll be)|
 
 
           C        G                Bb         F
1. I'll be o-ver at ten, you told me time and a-gain
              C            F
   But you're late, I wait a-round and then (bah-da-da)
     C           G             Bb        F
   I went to the door, I can't take a-ny more
            C               F            F    C    Dm
   It's not you, you let me down a-gain (Hey, hey, hey)
                 G            G    Fm   Em
   Ba-by, ba-by, try to find (Hey, hey, hey)
                     A7                        G    F
   A little time and I'll make you happy (Hey, hey, hey)
   F                        D7                         G
   I'll be home, I'll be be-side the phone waiting for you
   G           G
   Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-ooo 


  G            C                         E7
CH: Why do you build me up (build me up) But-ter-cup ba-by
            F                             G
    Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me a-round
             C                               E7
    And then worst of all (worst of all) you nev-er call ba-by
             F                               G
    When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
           C                          C7
    I need you (I need you) more than a-ny-one dar-lin'
        F                         Fm
    You know that I have from the start  (ah-ah-ah)
       C                         G
    So build me up (build me up) But-ter-cup 
                     F     F   Em  Dm   C  G
    Don't break my | heart 2+  3+  4+ | 1  +2+3+4+  (To)|

      C         G         Bb           F
2. To you I'm a toy but I could be the boy
         C                   F
   You a-dore, if you'd just let me know (bah-da-da)
      C            G
   Al-though you're un-true,
          Bb          F           C
   I'm at-trac-ted to you all the more
            F            F    C    Dm
   Why do I need you so (Hey, hey, hey)
               G            G    Fm   Em
   Baby, baby, try to find (Hey, hey, hey)
                     A7                        G    F
   A little time and I'll make you happy (Hey, hey, hey)
   F                        D7                         G
   I'll be home, I'll be be-side the phone waiting for you
   G           G
   Oo-oo-oo... oo-oo-oo...

  G            C                         E7
CH: Why do you build me up (build me up) But-ter-cup ba-by
            F                             G
    Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me a-round
             C                               E7
    And then worst of all (worst of all) you nev-er call ba-by
             F                               G
    When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
           C                          C7
    I need you (I need you) more than a-ny-one dar-lin'
        F                         Fm
    You know that I have from the start
       C                         G
    So build me up (build me up) But-ter-cup
                   A  
    Don't break my heart (key change)

   A             D                          D7
    I-I-I-I need you (I need you) more than a-ny-one ba-by
        G                         Gm
    You know that I have from the start 
       D                         A
    So build me up (build me up) But-ter-cup 
                   G
    Don't break my heart... (fade out)

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: C Major - no sharps or flats
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately bright
  • Metronome: ♩ = 136 (swing or triplet feel)
  • Voice Range: G4 - C6
  • Beginner Guitarists:
    See charts for easier chord voicings of Bb, Fm and Gm - ideally suited for those of you that haven't learned to play barre chords.

    Fm and Gm require a small barre, but are both very easy to play, especially Gm.

Song Details:

Build Me Up Buttercup Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriters: Michael D'Abo, Tony Macaulay
  • Lyrics Begin: Why do you build me up
  • Genre: Pop-soul, bubblegum pop
  • Featured Artists: The Foundations
    Origin: London, England, United Kingdom
    Music Styles: Soul, pop, rock
    Active years: 1966–1970
  • Single:
    Recorded: 1968
    Released: 8 November 1968 (UK), 3 December 1968 (US)
    B-side: New Direction
  • Album: Build Me Up Buttercup
    Released: 1968
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