Bend Me, Shape Me, Anyway You Want Me

The American Breed rock band publicity photo

Originally written by Scott English and Laurence Weiss, Bend Me, Shape Me was a no. 5 hit in 1967 for the band The American Breed, out of Chicago. It was one of three top forty hits for the band, along with Step Out of Your Mind and Green Light. The song was originally recorded by the Cleveland … Read more

Really Love Your Peaches, Wanna Shake Your Tree – The True Origin?

Steve Miller’s lyric on The Joker (1973), the pompatus of love, really stands out. I’ve already explained where he got that from. No, it was not original to him. Many people, including myself, also love the line from The Joker, “You’re the cutest thing I ever did see. I really love your peaches, wanna shake … Read more

What Is Barracuda by Heart About?

Song: Barracuda (1977) Artist: Heart Album: Little Queen Writers: Ann Wilson, Micheal Derosier, Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher Barracuda is perhaps the song most identified with Heart. It is one of those songs that makes people think of Heart as a Led Zeppelin-influenced hard rock band with legendary female vocals. Their angriest and edgiest song, it … Read more

So Caught Up In You – Don’t Let This Good Love Slip Away

Song: Caught Up In You (1982) Artist: .38 Special Album: Special Forces Writers: Frank Sullivan, Jim Peterik, Jeff Carlisi, Don Barnes I never knew there’d come a day when I’d be sayin’ to you, “Don’t let this good love slip away…” Those are the beginning lyrics of one of the most popular songs by .38 … Read more

What Was Boston’s First Hit Song?

Song: More Than a Feeling Artist: Boston Album: Boston Writer: Tom Scholz Boston’s first big hit came on their self-titled debut album in 1976. Actually, it’s a bit of a misleading question because the album was one of the best-selling rock debut albums of all time and had three hit singles, one after the other. … Read more

I’m travelin’ down the road and I’m flirtin’ With Disaster

Song: Flirtin’ With Disaster (1979) Artist: Molly Hatchet Writers: Dave Lawrence Hludeck, Danny Joe Brown, Banner Harvey Thomas Album: Flirtin’ With Disaster (Epic) Flirtin’ With Disaster by Molly Hatchet is often listed as one of the best country rock or Southern rock songs of all time, along with such classics as Can’t You See by Marshall … Read more

Evil Woman: Who Recorded It Before Black Sabbath?

Song: Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me (1969) Artist: Crow Writers: Larry Wiegand, Dick Wiegand, Dave Wagner Album: Crow Music Most people probably know the song, Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me from the cover done by Black Sabbath, under the song name Evil Woman. The original, however, was released by the band Crow, … Read more