"The Rubberband Man" is a song recorded by American vocal groupthe Spinners. The song, written by producerThom Bell and singer-songwriterLinda Creed, originated because of Bell's son Mark, who was being teased by his classmates for being overweight. Intended to improve his son's self-image, the song eventually evolved from being about "The Fat Man" to "The Rubberband Man".[1]
Wynne alternates between singing the verse and interjecting verbal asides and improvises the eight bars linking the chorus with the bridge. The backing singers' retort of "do-do-do-do" recalls the distinctive chorus inStephen Stills' song "Love the One You're With."[5]
The bassline of the song is intended to mimic the sound of a rubber band. This sound was achieved by bassistBob Babbitt, an experiencedMotown session musician, by running the instrument through a device he called a "funk box."[6][better source needed]
Performed byLynda Carter twice on TV in 1980: during her first (of five)Lynda Carter Special, and in an episode ofThe Muppet Show accompanied by a band of Rubberband Men Muppets.
From 2004–2007 in several back-to-school advertising campaigns forOfficeMax, the song Rubberband Man was used as the theme for The 'Rubberband Man', a character played by actorEddie Steeples, who would happily distribute school / office supplies to surprised and somewhat disappointed children or thankful office employees. In one commercial, Steeple's character has lost his rubber ball, and the commercial documents his search for the missing ball.[7][8] At that time, Steeples was popular portraying the character of Darnell "Crab Man" Turner on the televisionsitcomMy Name Is Earl.
The song was featured in theCBS sitcomYoung Sheldon in the final episode of the series. It played right beforeSheldon Cooper was baptized.[9]
