Bend Me, Shape Me
Encyclopedia
"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 #5 in the US in early 1968.
The American Breed's 2:05 single mix of this song was sped-up during mastering for release, while the widely-available original 2:24 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
.”
There have been 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
, slightly altering the lyrics, which reached #3 in the UK in 1968. A group called Storm tried a cover version in 1971, but it missed making the Top 100. An updated version by Donna McElroy appeared on the Gumby
album in 1989. The song is featured in the 1997 film, Wild America
.
American Breed's “Bend Me Shape Me” was later featured in a 2000 TV commercial for Flexon eyeglass frames (revived in 2007), as well as a 2001 TV commercial for Mercedes-Benz
station wagons, a 2002 TV commercial for Gap Stretch Jeans, and the 2001 Futurama
episode "Bendless Love
".
Scott English
Scott English is an American songwriter and record producer, best known as the composer of "Brandy", which became a number-one hit for Barry Manilow in 1974 under the revised title of "Mandy"...
and Larry Weiss. It was first recorded by The Outsiders
The Outsiders (American band)
The Outsiders was an American rock and roll band from Cleveland, Ohio, that was founded and led by guitarist Tom King. The band is best known for its Top 5 hit "Time Won't Let Me" in early 1966, which peaked at #5 in the US, but the band had three other hit singles in 1966 and released a total of...
as a track on their album The Outsiders In
The Outsiders In
The Outsiders In – also known as simply In or In! – is the third studio album by the Outsiders. It is the first album released by the band that did not make the Billboard charts.-Release data:...
in 1966. The best known version of the song is the 1967 single released by The American Breed that peaked at #5 in the US in early 1968.
The American Breed's 2:05 single mix of this song was sped-up during mastering for release, while the widely-available original 2:24 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
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
later covered as his 1974 breakout hit “Mandy
Mandy
Mandy is a female first name, a diminutive of Amanda. It may refer to:People with the given name Mandy:*Mandy People with the nickname Mandy:*Peter Mandelson, UK politician...
.”
There have been 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
Amen Corner (band)
Amen Corner were a successful Welsh rock group, formed in late 1966 in Cardiff, Wales.-Career:The band was named after The Amen Corner, a weekly disc spin at the Victoria Ballroom in Cardiff, Wales, where every Sunday night Dr...
, slightly altering the lyrics, which reached #3 in the UK in 1968. A group called Storm tried a cover version in 1971, but it missed making the Top 100. An updated version by Donna McElroy appeared on the Gumby
Gumby (album)
Gumby is an album produced by Shepard Stern and released in 1989 as a tribute to Art Clokey's stop-motion animated series Gumby. The cover is reminiscent of The Beatles' White Album.-Track listing:-Additional personnel:...
album in 1989. The song is featured in the 1997 film, Wild America
Wild America (film)
Wild America is a 1997 adventure comedy film directed by William Dear, written by David Michael Wieger, and starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devon Sawa and Scott Bairstow.-Plot:...
.
American Breed's “Bend Me Shape Me” was later featured in a 2000 TV commercial for Flexon eyeglass frames (revived in 2007), as well as a 2001 TV commercial for Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
station wagons, a 2002 TV commercial for Gap Stretch Jeans, and the 2001 Futurama
Futurama
Futurama is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series follows the adventures of a late 20th-century New York City pizza delivery boy, Philip J...
episode "Bendless Love
Bendless Love
"Bendless Love" is the sixth episode in season three of Futurama. It originally aired in North America on February 11, 2001.-Plot:After an overly dramatic takeoff results in an inelegant crash onto the streets of the city, the crew discovers that the Planet Express ship's essential L-unit has been...
".