It’s all about the flowers for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday, hosted by Jim Adams. The prompts are Blossoms, Cherry and Flowers. I have decided to share two songs today. One is an old favorite from the 60s which has proven to be timeless. I think most people know Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations, regardless of their age. The video I have selected is from the hilarious movie Something About Mary which features the song. Unfortunately there are very few song facts about this one but it’s upbeat lyrics and rhythm tell it’s story of its popularity.
This was written by Mike D’Abo and Tony Macaulay. D’Abo was lead singer of Manfred Mann, and Macaulay was a successful songwriter who also wrote The Foundations hit “Baby Now That I’ve Found You” as well as songs by The Hollies, Andy Williams and The New Seekers.
David Essex, who was unknown at the time but went on to success with “Rock On,” was offered this song, but he turned it down as he didn’t like the title.
This was featured in the 1998 film There’s Something About Mary. >>
This was featured in the 2001 pilot episode of the spy drama Alias, “Truth Be Told,” when Sydney Bristow’s (Jennifer Garner) ill-fated boyfriend sings it on the campus lawn before he proposes to her.
it has also been featured in a Geico commercial.
Courtesy of Songfacts
LYRICS Why do you build me up (build me up) buttercup, baby Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around? And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin' You know that I have from the start So build me up (build me up) buttercup, don't break my heart "I'll be over at ten," you told me time and again But you're late, I wait around and then (bah dah dah) I went to the door, I can't take any more It's not you, you let me down again (Hey, hey, hey) baby, baby, try to find (Hey, hey, hey) a little time and I'll make you mine (Hey, hey, hey) I'll be home I'll be beside the phone waiting for you Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh Why do you build me up (build me up) buttercup, baby Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around? And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin' You know that I have from the start So build me up (build me up) buttercup, don't break my heart You were my toy but I could be the boy you adore If you'd just let me know (bah dah dah) Although you're untrue, I'm attracted to you all the more Why do I need you so? (Hey, hey, hey) baby, baby, try to find (Hey, hey, hey) a little time and I'll make you mine (Hey, hey, hey) I'll be home I'll be beside the phone waiting for you Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh Why do you build me up (build me up) buttercup, baby Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around? And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin' You know that I have from the start So build me up (build me up) buttercup, don't break my heart I, I, I need you more than anyone, baby You know that I have from the start So build me up (build me up) buttercup Writer/s: Tony Macauley, Mike D'Abo Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind
My second choice today is Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheehan. It’s a beautiful song he wrote after his grandmother passed away.
Ed Sheeran penned this aching, raw song as a tribute to his beloved grandmother Anne on the day she died. Speaking to British newspaper The Sun about writing the heartfelt tune he said, “That was the day my gran passed away. I was at my home. It’s just a knee-jerk reaction. You can be really upset and dwell on something or you can put all the good memories in one song.”
It was Anne who inspired both Ed and his brother Matthew, a classical composer, to pursue a career in music. Ed celebrates here the impact she had on him. “I just wanted to make a tribute to my gran,” the singer explained. “She was the musical one in my family. Hopefully I will pass that on to my kids.”
Sheeran explained the song title: “My gran passed away and we were clearing out her hospital room and the supermarket flowers from the windowsill and having that moment,” he told Nova FM.
This is not the first time that Sheeran has honored his Irish grandparents in song. The x track “Afire Love” was written about Anne’s husband Bill, who died in 2013. Also the track “Nancy Mulligan,” on the deluxe version of Divide, tells the story of how the Irish couple fell in love despite their Catholic-Protestant divide.
Speaking to Apple Music, Sheeran said, “My grandfather just turned to me [at the funeral], he was like, you have to put that out, that has to go on the record. It’s such a good memory, that’s why it’s ended up on there.” >>
According to a chart published by Co-op Funeralcare in 2019, this was the sixth most popular funeral song in the UK. In case you’re wondering, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” topped the list.
LYRICS I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill I threw the day old tea from the cup Packed up the photo album Matthew had made Memories of a life that's been loved Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals Poured the old ginger beer down the sink Dad always told me, "don't you cry when you're down" But mum, there's a tear every time that I blink Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved So I'll sing Hallelujah You were an angel in the shape of my mum When I fell down you'd be there holding me up Spread your wings as you go And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah You're home I fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case John says he'd drive then put his hand on my cheek And wiped a tear from the side of my face I hope that I see the world as you did cause I know A life with love is a life that's been lived So I'll sing Hallelujah You were an angel in the shape of my mum When I fell down you'd be there holding me up Spread your wings as you go And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah You're home Hallelujah You were an angel in the shape of my mum You got to see the person that I have become Spread your wing And I know that when God took you back he said Hallelujah You're home Writer/s: Edward Christopher Sheeran, Benjamin Joseph Levin, John McDaid Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind
Courtesy of Songfacts
