Released: August 26, 1968

Songwriter: Smokey Robinson

Producer: Smokey Robinson

[Verse 1]
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 start to destroy me

[Pre-Chorus]
Piece by piece, I'm torn apart and all my dreams
Of being yours are crumbled to the ground

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 2]
Oh, on Monday, maybe you might make me feel like I am a king
(You build me up, you build me up)
Tell me you're a puppet and I've got the string
Oh, but then on Tuesday, it's a different thing

[Pre-Chorus]
Just as I began to get the feel of the throne
And start to cherish the crown

[Chorus]
I find that 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

[Bridge]
Yeah, yeah

[Verse 3]
Ooh, you give me hope
For a while, you had me walkin' 'round on a cloud
(You build me up, you build me up)
Bragging about you and feelin' real proud
Then without a warning, in front of a crowd

[Pre-Chorus]
You bring me back to Earth with some unkind deed
Soon as I am heaven-bound

[Chorus]
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
You only build me up to tear me down
Down, down
Yeah, yeah
(Only build me up) Baby, baby, baby
(Only build me up) Ooh yeah, baby (Baby, baby)
You only build me up to tear me down
Down, down
Yeah, ooh-wee, baby
(Only build me up) Baby, baby, baby
(Only build me up)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby (Baby, baby)
You only