Pop, Rock

Build Me Up Buttercup Chords

The Foundations Beginner Key of C 6 Chords 3 min read

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Key

C Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

C · E · F · G · Am · Dm

A classic 1968 Motown-style pop song by The Foundations about romantic frustration and unfulfilled promises. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Bouncy Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep your strumming light and bouncy to match the upbeat feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Why do you build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, baby

F G

Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around

C G

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby

F G

When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still

C

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

G

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Verse 2

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Bridge

F G

You know that I have from the start

C G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

F G

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

C

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Verse 3

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Outro

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (C, G, and F). Practice switching between them smoothly, especially the C to F change.

Ctap to play

Etap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · E · F · G · Am · Dm

A classic 1968 Motown-style pop song by The Foundations about romantic frustration and unfulfilled promises. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Bouncy Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep your strumming light and bouncy to match the upbeat feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Why do you build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, baby

F G

Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around

C G

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby

F G

When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still

C

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

G

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Verse 2

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Bridge

F G

You know that I have from the start

C G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

F G

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

C

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Verse 3

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Outro

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (C, G, and F). Practice switching between them smoothly, especially the C to F change.

Ctap to play

Etap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · E · F · G · Am · Dm

A classic 1968 Motown-style pop song by The Foundations about romantic frustration and unfulfilled promises. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Bouncy Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep your strumming light and bouncy to match the upbeat feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Why do you build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, baby

F G

Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around

C G

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby

F G

When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still

C

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

G

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Verse 2

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Bridge

F G

You know that I have from the start

C G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

F G

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

C

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Verse 3

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Outro

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (C, G, and F). Practice switching between them smoothly, especially the C to F change.

Ctap to play

Etap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · E · F · G · Am · Dm

A classic 1968 Motown-style pop song by The Foundations about romantic frustration and unfulfilled promises. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Bouncy Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep your strumming light and bouncy to match the upbeat feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Why do you build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, baby

F G

Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around

C G

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby

F G

When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still

C

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

G

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Verse 2

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Bridge

F G

You know that I have from the start

C G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

F G

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

C

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Verse 3

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Outro

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (C, G, and F). Practice switching between them smoothly, especially the C to F change.

Ctap to play

Etap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · E · F · G · Am · Dm

A classic 1968 Motown-style pop song by The Foundations about romantic frustration and unfulfilled promises. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Bouncy Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep your strumming light and bouncy to match the upbeat feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Why do you build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, baby

F G

Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around

C G

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby

F G

When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still

C

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

G

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Verse 2

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Bridge

F G

You know that I have from the start

C G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

F G

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

C

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Verse 3

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Outro

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (C, G, and F). Practice switching between them smoothly, especially the C to F change.

Ctap to play

Etap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · E · F · G · Am · Dm

A classic 1968 Motown-style pop song by The Foundations about romantic frustration and unfulfilled promises. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Bouncy Pop (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep your strumming light and bouncy to match the upbeat feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Why do you build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, baby

F G

Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around

C G

And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby

F G

When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still

C

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

G

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Verse 2

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Bridge

F G

You know that I have from the start

C G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

F G

I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’

C

You know that I have from the start

F G

So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Verse 3

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Chorus

C G

I’ll be over at ten, you told me time and again

F G

But you’re late, I wait around and then

C G

I run to the door, I can’t take any more

F G

It’s not you, you let me down a-gain

Outro

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

C G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

F G

Hey, hey, hey! Buttercup

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (C, G, and F). Practice switching between them smoothly, especially the C to F change.