Bend Me, Shape Me

1967 single by The American Breed

"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"

Released

December 1967

Genre

Pop rock
bubblegum pop^[1]

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)

"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,^[2] and No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart.^[3]

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.^[4]

Chart history

Weekly charts

Chart (1967–1968)	Peak position
Australia (Go-Set)^[5]	33
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[6]	11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[7]	12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[8]	16
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[9]	7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[10]	8
New Zealand (Listener)^[11]	1
South Africa (Springbok)^[12]	3
UK Singles (OCC)^[3]	24
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[13]	5
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[14]	3
West Germany (Official German Charts)^[15]	9

Year-end charts

Chart (1968)	Rank
Canada ^[16]	48
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[17]	98
U.S. Cash Box ^[18]	25

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.^[19]^[20] There was also a hit disco single on Ariola/Hansa by Austrian singer Gilla in 1978,^[21] which she also performed in a medley with Boney M.^[22]

References

^ 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.
^ Currin, Brian. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Bend Me, Shape Me (song by The American Breed) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
^ ""Bend me, Shape me", The American Breed". YouTube. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
^ "Go-Set National Top 40, March 27, 1968".
^ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
^ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
^ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in French). Ultratop 50.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 100169." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
^ "The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz.
^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 7 May 2020.
^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 3, 1968".
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The American Breed – Bend Me, Shape Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
^ "Top 100 Hits of 1968/Top 100 Songs of 1968 | Music Outfitters". www.musicoutfitters.com.
^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1968". tropicalglen.com.
^ "Bend Me Shape Me" – via www.youtube.com.
^ "bend me shape me | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 21/2. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
^ "Gilla and Boney M: Bend Me Shape Me". YouTube.