The original members of the group were Gary Loizzo on vocals, Charles Colbert, Jr. on bass guitar, Al Ciner on guitar, and Lee Graziano on drums. All members were from the greater Chicago area. As "Gary & The Nite Lites", they were somewhat successful in Chicago and put out one single. Soon afterwards, the group underwent several changes. They moved to the Acta record label and renamed themselves The American Breed. Two new members were also added by 1968: Kevin Murphy on keyboards and Andre Fischer on drums.
The band enjoyed its greatest success in 1967 and 1968. They put five singles on the charts, including "Step Out Of Your Mind", "Green Light" and "Bend Me, Shape Me". The group disbanded the following year, and Fischer went on to form Rufus (with Chaka Khan). He later married Natalie Cole. A compilation album, Bend Me, Shape Me: The Best of the American Breed, was released in 1994. "Bend Me, Shape Me" continues to receive occasional airplay on oldies radio stations.
In celebration of the 2005 baseball World Championship of the Chicago White Sox, the American Breed issued a CD single entitled "Rock with the Sox." The single was produced by Gary Loizzo.
Bend Me Shape Me
The American Breed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And baby you know it (know it, know it, know it)
You can make this beggar a king
A clown or a poet (poet, poet, poet)
I'll give you all that I own
You've got me standing in line
Out in the cold, pay me some mind
Anyway you want me
Long as you love me, it's all right
Bend me, shape me
Anyway you want me
You've got the power to turn on the light
Everybody tells me I'm wrong
To want you so badly (badly, badly, badly)
But there's a force driving me on
I follow it gladly (gladly, gladly, gladly)
So let them laugh I don't care
'Cause I got nothing to hide
All that I want is you by my side
Bend me, shape me
Any way you want me
Long as you love me, it's all right
Bend me, shape me
Any way you want me
You've got the power to turn on the light
Bend me, shape me
Any way you want me
Long as you love me, it's all right
Bend me, shape me
Any way you want me
You got the power to turn on the light
The American Breed's song "Bend Me Shape Me" is a love song about the power of the beloved. The lyrics describe the singer's love and devotion for a woman, stating that she has the ability to transform him into anything she wants him to be, whether it be a king, a clown, or a poet. The singer is willing to give her everything he has, even standing in line in the cold for her attention. The chorus repeats the phrase "Bend me, shape me, any way you want me, long as you love me, it's all right" emphasizing the singer's willingness to be molded by the love of his life.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of societal pressure and shame in relationships. The singer acknowledges that everybody tells him he is wrong for wanting the woman so badly, but he is driven by a force that he gladly follows. He doesn't care about the opinions of others as long as he has her by his side. The repetition of the word "gladly" in the second verse emphasizes the singer's contentment and willingness to do anything for the woman he loves.
Overall, "Bend Me Shape Me" is a tribute to the power of love and the strength of human emotion. Despite the opinions of others, the singer is willing to be molded and shaped by the power of love, emphasizing the importance of commitment and devotion in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
You are all the woman I need
You are the only person who can make me feel complete
And baby you know it (know it, know it, know it)
I don't need to tell you this because you already know how important you are to me
You can make this beggar a king
You have the power to transform my life and make me feel like royalty
A clown or a poet (poet, poet, poet)
You can inspire different aspects of my personality and make me feel creative or silly
I'll give you all that I own
I promise to give you everything I have and everything I am
You've got me standing in line
I am willing to wait and do whatever it takes to be close to you
Out in the cold, pay me some mind
I am outside in the cold, hoping you will notice me and give me a chance
Bend me, shape me
I am open to change and willing to be molded by you
Anyway you want me
I trust your judgment and will follow your lead
Long as you love me, it's all right
As long as you love me, I am happy and fulfilled
You've got the power to turn on the light
You can bring happiness and light into my life
Everybody tells me I'm wrong
Other people don't understand our connection or why I am so drawn to you
To want you so badly (badly, badly, badly)
I can't help how I feel about you, and I want you more than anything
But there's a force driving me on
I feel a strong pull towards you that I can't resist
I follow it gladly (gladly, gladly, gladly)
I am happy to follow this force, even if it means going against what others say
So let them laugh I don't care
I am willing to face ridicule and criticism from others because my feelings for you are that strong
'Cause I got nothing to hide
I am completely honest and transparent about my feelings for you
All that I want is you by my side
Above all else, I want to be with you and have you by my side
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Laurence Weiss, Scott English
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind