Build Me Up Buttercup
"Build Me Up Buttercup" is a song written by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay, performed by the British soul band The Foundations, and released as a single in November 1968 on their second studio album of the same name. Featuring lead vocals by Colin Young, the upbeat pop-soul track became the group's signature hit, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1969.[1][2] The Foundations formed in 1966 as an ethnically diverse eight-piece ensemble, with members hailing from Britain, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka, blending soul, R&B, and pop influences. Their debut single "Baby Now That I've Found You" reached number one in the UK in 1967, establishing them as a rising act, followed by "Back on My Feet Again." By mid-1968, original lead singer Clem Curtis and saxophonist Mike Elliott had departed, paving the way for Colin Young to join and record "Build Me Up Buttercup" as his first single with the band.[2][3] Lyrically, the song captures the anguish of unrequited love, as the narrator implores his elusive partner—nicknamed "Buttercup"—to stop raising his hopes with false promises and affection, only to leave him heartbroken. Its infectious chorus, doo-wop-inspired backing vocals, and lively instrumentation propelled its chart success, including a number-one position on the US Cash Box Top 100 and in Canada. The band's active period lasted until 1970, but the track's legacy endured, gaining renewed attention in 1998 through its prominent use in the end credits of the romantic comedy film There's Something About Mary, later featured in the 2020 film The Kissing Booth, and highlighted by co-writer Tony Macaulay's induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2025.[3][1][2][4] Certified double platinum in the UK and gold in the US, "Build Me Up Buttercup" remains a staple of 1960s nostalgia, frequently appearing in media, advertisements, and playlists for its timeless appeal and feel-good energy.[2]Origins
Songwriting
"Build Me Up Buttercup" was written by Mike d'Abo, the lead singer of Manfred Mann, and Tony Macaulay, a prolific songwriter who had previously co-written the band's hit "Baby Now That I've Found You" with John MacLeod.[1][5] The song was composed in 1968 as an upbeat pop-soul track exploring themes of unrequited love and emotional turmoil. d'Abo initially crafted the core of the song, after which Macaulay contributed key extensions to the chorus, including the lines "I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin' / You know that I have from the start." A demo was recorded at Pye Studios, featuring d'Abo on piano and Macaulay on tambourine, during which the iconic opening line "Why don't you build me up, buttercup" emerged spontaneously.[5][3] Lyrically, the song portrays a man's obsessive infatuation with an emotionally unstable partner who alternately raises his hopes and dashes them, evoking feelings of codependency and frustration. The narrator pleads, "Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby / Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around." The irony lies in the cheerful melody contrasting the heartache, contributing to its catchy, memorable appeal.[1][3] Prior to its adoption by The Foundations, the song was offered to David Essex, an up-and-coming artist at the time, who rejected it due to his dislike of the title "Buttercup," associating it with a cow. It was also considered for The Paper Dolls, but scheduling conflicts prevented them from recording it.[5][1]Band context
The Foundations were a British soul band formed in early 1967 in the Bayswater area of London.[6] Originally known as The Ramong Sound, the group evolved from a local ensemble playing American soul and R&B covers at clubs, initially serving as a backing band for various artists before transitioning to original material.[7] The multi-racial octet, comprising members of West Indian, White British, and Sri Lankan descent, marked a distinctive presence in the UK's music scene as one of the first such groups to achieve major success.[8] Their debut single, "Baby Now That I've Found You," released in 1967, became their first hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and featuring lead singer Clem Curtis, a Trinidadian vocalist.[9] Managed by Barry Class, the band developed a signature horn-driven R&B sound influenced by ska and Motown-style soul, which propelled their early recordings.[10] In September 1968, amid growing internal tensions, lead singer Clem Curtis and tenor saxophonist Mike Elliott departed the group at the end of the month.[10] Colin Young, born in Barbados and formerly of the band Joe E. Young & The Tonics, replaced Curtis as lead vocalist, bringing a fresh soul-inflected delivery to the lineup.[11] Following these shifts, the band—under Class's management—selected "Build Me Up Buttercup" as their next single; the track was penned by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay, the latter having previously co-written the band's debut hit with John Macleod.[9]Production
Recording process
"Build Me Up Buttercup" was recorded in 1968 at Pye Studios in London.[12] The production, overseen by Tony Macaulay—who also co-wrote the song and provided the arrangement—emphasized a prominent horn section with layered trumpet riffs inspired by Motown arrangements, including a recurring "bah-dah-dah-dah" motif.[12] Macaulay contributed additional elements such as organ overdubs, tambourine, and backing vocals to build the track's energetic pop-soul sound.[12] The arrangement featured an upbeat tempo and Motown-influenced bass lines, with upward walks in the chorus and downward movements in the verses, aiming to replicate the band's live performance energy in a studio setting.[12] Following a lineup change in September 1968 that saw the departure of original lead singer Clem Curtis and saxophonist Mike Elliott, new vocalist Colin Young joined in early October and debuted on this recording, necessitating a rapid production turnaround.[2] Young's lead vocals were highlighted through call-and-response interactions with the backing vocals, creating a dynamic and engaging structure.[2] The original single version clocks in at 2:57 and was mixed in mono for release.[13]Personnel
The recording of "Build Me Up Buttercup" featured lead vocals by Colin Young, who had recently replaced original frontman Clem Curtis following his departure from the band in 1968.[14] The core instrumental ensemble consisted of Alan Warner on lead guitar, Peter Macbeth on bass guitar, Tim Harris on drums and percussion, Tony Gomez on keyboards, Pat Burke on tenor saxophone, and Eric Allandale on trombone.[15][8] The track was produced by Tony Macaulay, with additional backing vocals contributed by the band members.[16]Release
Single release
"Build Me Up Buttercup" was first released as a single in the United Kingdom on 8 November 1968 by Pye Records, catalog number 7N 17636, in the standard 7-inch vinyl format of the era. The B-side featured "New Direction", a track written by band members Alan Warner, Peter McBeth, and Tony Gomez.[17][18][19] The single was subsequently issued in the United States on 3 December 1968 by Uni Records, catalog number 55101, again as a 7-inch vinyl with "New Direction" on the B-side. Initial promotion emphasized radio airplay and live performances during the band's tours across the UK and US markets.[20] Marketed as a follow-up to The Foundations' prior success with "Baby Now That I've Found You", the release benefited from the songwriting continuity provided by Tony Macaulay, who penned both tracks, helping to build anticipation among fans of the group's pop-soul sound. The single quickly gained traction through airplay on BBC Radio 1, contributing to its early buzz in the UK.[1]Album inclusion
"Build Me Up Buttercup" served as the title track for The Foundations' second studio album, Build Me Up Buttercup, released in December 1968 in the United Kingdom by Pye Records and in early 1969 in the United States by Uni Records. The UK and US versions feature different track listings.[21][22] The album consists of 12 tracks in a soul-pop style, blending original material and covers, with several compositions by Tony Macaulay, including the title track (co-written with Mike d'Abo) and "Am I Groovin' You." In the UK version, "Build Me Up Buttercup" opens Side B; in the US version, it opens Side A. The US edition also includes the single's B-side "New Direction." The total runtime is approximately 30 minutes, showcasing the band's energetic arrangements.[23] Recorded concurrently with the single, the album's production highlighted The Foundations' prominent horn section, contributing to its lively, brass-driven sound.[23]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Build Me Up Buttercup" achieved significant chart success upon its release, particularly in English-speaking markets. In the United Kingdom, the single peaked at number 2 on the Official Charts Company's UK Singles Chart for two non-consecutive weeks during late 1968 and early 1969, maintaining a presence on the chart for a total of 16 weeks.[24] In the United States, the song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, holding that position for three weeks in February 1969, and spent 15 weeks on the chart overall. It also topped the Cash Box Top 100, attaining number 1 status on March 8, 1969. Internationally, "Build Me Up Buttercup" performed strongly in several countries, as detailed in the following table:| Country | Chart | Peak Position | Date of Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | RPM Top Singles | 1 | February 24, 1969 |
| Australia | Go-Set National Top 40 | 1 | March 1969 |
| Australia | Kent Music Report | 2 | 1969 |
| Ireland | Irish Singles Chart | 3 | February 1969 |
| Netherlands | Dutch Top 40 | 12 | April 1969 |