Baby Scratch My Back
1965 song by Slim Harpo
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"Baby Scratch My Back" is a 1965 rhythm and blues song by blues singer Slim Harpo. It is mostly an instrumental piece with occasional monologue and harmonica fills by Harpo.[2] Although it had some success with rock audiences (reaching number 16 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart), "Baby Scratch My Back" was a number one hit in 1966 on the magazine's Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart.[3] It was Harpo's most commercially successful single[2] and was subsequently recorded by several musicians.[4]
| "Baby Scratch My Back" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Slim Harpo | |
| B-side | "I'm Gonna Miss You (Like the Devil)" |
| Released | 1965 |
| Recorded | 1965 |
| Studio | J. D. Miller, Crowley, Louisiana |
| Genre | Country blues[1] |
| Length | 2:47 |
| Label | Excello |
| Songwriter | James Moore a.k.a. Slim Harpo |
| Producer | J. D. Miller |
Background
The backing has been described as "a laconic, loping beat with tremolo laden guitar, wood block maracas, and snapping snare drum sound".[5] The "chicken scratch" guitar was played by James Johnson.[6]
Harpo referred to it as "an attempt at rock and roll for me".[2] Several rock groups had recorded some of his songs, including the Rolling Stones ("I'm a King Bee") and the Kinks ("Got Love If You Want It"). Music writer Todd Everett noted "Harpo evidently figured that he had a future in rock and roll".[2]
Influences
- In 1966, juke joint blues musician Frank Frost recorded an adaptation of "Baby Scratch My Back" titled "My Back Scratcher".[7] The session was produced by former Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore for the Louisiana record label Jewel. Released as a single, it reached number 43 on the R&B chart, marking Frost's only appearance in the record charts.[3]