Bend Me, Shape Me

"Bend Me, Shape Me" is a song written by Scott English and Larry Weiss. It was first recorded by The Outsiders as a track on their album The Outsiders In in 1966. The best-known version of the song is the 1967 single released by The American Breed that peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1968, No. 3 in South Africa,[1] and No. 24 in the UK Singles Chart.[2]

This article is about the song. For the album, see Bend Me, Shape Me (album).
"Bend Me, Shape Me"
Single by The American Breed
from the album Bend Me, Shape Me
B-side"Mindrocker"
ReleasedDecember 1967
GenrePop rock
Length2:05 (single version)
2:25 (album version)
LabelActa Records 811
Songwriter(s)Scott English, Larry Weiss
Producer(s)Bill Traut
The American Breed singles chronology
"Don't Forget About Me"
(1967)		 "Bend Me, Shape Me"
(1967)		 "Green Light"
(1968)

The American Breed's 2:05 single mix of this song was sped-up during mastering for release, while the widely available original 2:25 version was done at a normal speed. The following year, The American Breed released their last single, "Anyway That You Want Me", which borrowed its title phrase from this hit. Co-songwriter Scott English later went on to write and sing "Brandy", which Barry Manilow later covered as his 1974 breakout hit "Mandy".

Chart history

Cover versions

There have been many other recordings of the song. The first version was released by The Models in 1966 on the MGM label. Other notable versions include one by Amen Corner with slightly altered lyrics, which reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1968.[12] A group called Storm tried a cover version in 1971, but it missed making the Billboard Hot 100. An updated version by Donna McElroy appeared on the Gumby album in 1989. The song was featured in the 1997 film, Wild America. It was also covered by English glam band Hello. Later in the seventies, Austrian singer Gisella ( Gilla ) made a disco version of the song. Czeckoslovakian singer Olga Szabovà cover this song too on a 7" single release on Supraphon around 1970. Also, the song was covered by Teai Benet as the B-Side to her 1984 single "2:00 Love".

See also

Henry Shed ==References==

  1. Currin, Brian. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  2. "Bend Me, Shape Me (song by The American Breed) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  3. Go-Set National Top 40, March 27, 1968
  4. Flavour of New Zealand, 22 March 1968
  5. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  6. "Bend Me, Shape Me (song by The American Breed) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  7. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  8. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 3, 1968
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  10. Musicoutfitters.com
  11. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1968
  12. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 21/2. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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