Bend Me, Shape Me

"Bend Me, Shape Me"
Single by The American Breed
from the album Bend Me, Shape Me
B-side "Mindrocker"
Released December 1967
Format 7" single
Genre Pop rock
Length 2:05 (single version)
2:25 (album version)
Label Acta 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)

"Don't Forget About Me"
(1967)		 "Bend Me, Shape Me"
(1967)		 "Green Light"
(1968)

"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]

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".

Cover versions

There have been many other cover versions of the song. The first cover 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.[3] 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.

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. ↑ 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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