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.
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
