Bend Me, Shape Me

"Bend Me, Shape Me"
One of side-A labels of US single
Single by The American Breed
from the album Bend Me, Shape Me
B-side"Mindrocker"
ReleasedDecember 1967
GenreBubblegum pop[1][2]
Length2:05 (single version)
2:25 (album version)
LabelActa 811
SongwritersScott English, Larry Weiss
ProducerBill Traut
The American Breed singles chronology
"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 In in 1966. The best-known version in the US 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,[3] and No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]

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 "Bend Me, Shape Me". Co-songwriter Scott English later went on to write and sing "Brandy", which Barry Manilow later covered as his 1974 breakout hit "Mandy".

A video was also produced. The band members are seen working out in a gym and performing on stage.[5]

Chart history

Cover versions

There have been many other recordings of "Bend Me, Shape Me". The first version was released by The Models in 1966 on the MGM label. Other notables include one by Amen Corner with slightly altered lyrics, which reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1968.[20][21] It also reached number 9 on the New Zealand Listener charts.[22] There was also a hit disco single on Ariola/Hansa by Austrian singer Gilla in 1978,[23] which she also performed in a medley with Boney M.[24]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Stanley, Bob (2022). "The Summit: Frank, Dean and Sammy". Let's Do It - The Birth of Pop Music: A History. New York: Pegasus Books. p. 516.
  2. ↑ Doggett, Peter (1 January 2015). "The Devil's Interval". Electric Shock: From the Gramophone to the iPhone - 125 Years of Pop Music. London: The Bodley Head. p. 427. ISBN 978-1-847-92218-2. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  3. ↑ Currin, Brian. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Archived from the original on 11 February 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Bend Me, Shape Me (song by The American Breed) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  5. ↑ ""Bend me, Shape me", The American Breed". YouTube. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Go-Set National Top 40, March 27, 1968". Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  7. ↑ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  8. ↑ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. ↑ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Image 100169". RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  11. ↑ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. ↑ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  13. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  14. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  15. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 3, 1968". Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts (West Germany)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name.
  17. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  18. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1968/Top 100 Songs of 1968 | Music Outfitters". www.musicoutfitters.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  19. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1968". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  20. ↑ "Bend Me Shape Me". 21 July 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  21. ↑ "bend me shape me | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  22. ↑ https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=673#n_view_location Archived 2023-04-04 at the Wayback Machine Search Listener - Retrieved 28-10-2025
  23. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 21/2. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  24. ↑ "Gilla and Boney M: Bend Me Shape Me". YouTube. 29 October 2022. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
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