Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

Help support this site! Consider clicking an ad from time to time. Thanks!

 

Bend Me, Shape Me

Originally recorded by The Outsiders (1966).
Also recorded by The Models (1966).
Hit versions by The American Breed (US #5/UK #24 1968), Amen Corner (UK #3 1968).

From the wiki: “‘Bend Me, Shape Me was written by Scott English (‘Mandy‘) and Larry Weiss, and 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 single released by The American Breed that peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1968.

“‘Bend Me, Shape Me’ was first covered in 1966 by The Models, a garage rock band supposedly made up of actual Vogue magazine models produced by Tom Wilson, best known for his best known for his studio production work in the 1960s with Bob Dylan, the Mothers of Invention, Simon & Garfunkel, and the Velvet Underground. One online review describes this arrangement as sounding as if ‘made by doppleganger Garage girls in a concrete bunker.’

“In 1968, Amen Corner, fronted by vocalist (and, later, guitarist) Andy Fairweather Low, charted ‘Bend Me, Shape Me’ in the UK Singles chart Top-5, peaking at #3.”

The Models, “Bend Me, Shape Me” (1966):

The American Breed, “Bend Me, Shape Me” (1967):

Amen Corner, “Bend Me, Shape Me” Top of the Pops TV performance (1968):

1 comment for “Bend Me, Shape Me