Download MP3    Over dinner the other night at Ruby Tuesday, my wife/mistress/best friend/chick singer suddenly asked. “Why didn’t we ever do the song Build me up, Buttercup?”  Now, where did that come from?  Did I miss something between the Shrimp Fondue and the Cajun Rib Eye?  “Uh, I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe because you never asked.”  She looked at me kinda funny and said, “Do you think I should have?”  Okay… this could be a trick question.  Did she ask me to work it up in 1997 and I forgot?  Entirely possible.  I scanned the menu for buttermilk biscuits which could have, you know, reminded her.  Nothing.  Best to admit I was wrong.  About what, I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter.  I was just wrong not to have ever performed that song…. period.

“Build Me Up, Buttercup” is one of those tunes that you hear and think it’s pretty good, but then promptly forget you ever heard it.  Then, two years later, you’re wandering through the produce department at Winn-Dixie and there it is again – happily streaming through the ceiling speakers.  You leave the store and it’s out of your head again for another two years.  The song is just…well…forgettable.

“The Foundations” recorded this one in 1968 – bet you don’t remember them either.  They were the first multi-racial group to ever have a hit.  Interesting.  It really is a good piece of music and could work in a small dance venue.  I won’t ever do it – can’t remember the lyrics – but you might want to give it a try.  The original had lots of backup vocals but I’m using horns instead since I arranged it with “solo performer” in mind.  It’s on the Pop/Rock list.

Quick!  Download the backing tracks…. before you forget!  D’oh!