Writers: Paul Samwell-Smith, Keith Relf, and Jim McCarty
Producer: Giorgio Gomelsky
Recorded: December 21 and 22, 1965, at Chess Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois; January 7, 1966, at Columbia Recording Studios in Hollywood, California; and January 10, 1966, at RCA Victor Studios in Hollywood, California
Released: February, 1966
| Players: | Keith Relf–vocals Jeff Beck–guitar Chris Dreja–guitar Paul Samwell-Smith–bass Jim McCarty–drums |
| Album: | Shapes Of Things (Bomb Records) |
Recorded during a six-week U.S. tour, “Shapes Of Things” hit Number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1966 and Number Three on the British chart.
It was one of the last pieces of music the group recorded with original producer-manager Giorgio Gomelsky. The two parties split in January 1966 over a disagreement about an appearance at a festival in San Remo, Italy. Simon Napier-Bell took over as the group's new manager.
In addition to continuing to explore the psychedelic rock direction begun when Jeff Beck joined the band, “Shapes Of Things” offered light social commentary as singer Keith Relf looked into the future with his lyrics.
Though the song is loaded with overdubs, Beck once wrote in liner notes that he considers the song “pretty honest until that feedback note that comes in over it.”
“Shapes Of Things” was never used as an album track until the Yardbirds' first Greatest Hits collection was released in 1967.