This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
You're like a baby, I'm like a set of blocks you got for a toy
First you build me up and that gives you joy
Then you change your mind and you start to destroy me
Piece by piece I'm torn apart
And all my dreams of being yours are crumbed to the ground
Oh you only build me up baby, baby
You only build me up baby, baby
You only build me up to tear me down, down, down (ooh)
Oh on Monday maybe you might make me feel like I am a king (you build me up)
Tell me you're a puppet (you build me up) and I've got the string (you build me up)
Oh but then on Tuesday (you build me up) it's a different thing
(Ooh) just as I begin to get the feel of the throne and (ooh) start to cherish the crown
I found out you only build me up baby, baby
(Only build me up) baby, baby, baby, baby
You only build me up to tear me down, down, down (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ooh you give me hope, for a while you had me walkin' 'round on a cloud
Braggin' about you and feelin' real proud
Then without a warnin' in front of a crowd
You bring me back to Earth with some unkind deed soon as I am heaven bound
Oh you only build me up, only build me up
You only build me up, only build me up
Baby, baby (only build me up)
Baby, baby, baby (baby baby), you only build me up to tear me down, down, down
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh) yeah, yeah
(Only build me up baby, baby) baby, baby
(Only build me up baby, baby) ooh yeah, baby
You only build me up to tear me down, down, down
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh) yeah, ooh wee baby
(Only build me up baby, baby) baby, baby, baby
(Only build me up baby, baby) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah baby
First you build me up and that gives you joy
Then you change your mind and you start to destroy me
Piece by piece I'm torn apart
And all my dreams of being yours are crumbed to the ground
Oh you only build me up baby, baby
You only build me up baby, baby
You only build me up to tear me down, down, down (ooh)
Oh on Monday maybe you might make me feel like I am a king (you build me up)
Tell me you're a puppet (you build me up) and I've got the string (you build me up)
Oh but then on Tuesday (you build me up) it's a different thing
(Ooh) just as I begin to get the feel of the throne and (ooh) start to cherish the crown
I found out you only build me up baby, baby
(Only build me up) baby, baby, baby, baby
You only build me up to tear me down, down, down (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ooh you give me hope, for a while you had me walkin' 'round on a cloud
Braggin' about you and feelin' real proud
Then without a warnin' in front of a crowd
You bring me back to Earth with some unkind deed soon as I am heaven bound
Oh you only build me up, only build me up
You only build me up, only build me up
Baby, baby (only build me up)
Baby, baby, baby (baby baby), you only build me up to tear me down, down, down
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh) yeah, yeah
(Only build me up baby, baby) baby, baby
(Only build me up baby, baby) ooh yeah, baby
You only build me up to tear me down, down, down
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh) yeah, ooh wee baby
(Only build me up baby, baby) baby, baby, baby
(Only build me up baby, baby) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah baby
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
You Only Build Me Up To Tear Me Down Lyrics as written by William Robinson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.