"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 | Rhythm and blues |
Length | 2:47 |
Label | Excello |
Songwriter(s) | James Moore a.k.a. Slim Harpo |
Producer(s) | J. D. Miller |
"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. [1] 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. [2] It was Harpo's most commercially successful single [1] and was subsequently recorded by several musicians. [3]
The backing has been described as "a laconic, loping beat with tremolo laden guitar, wood block maracas, and snapping snare drum sound". [4] The "chicken scratch" guitar was played by James Johnson. [5]
Harpo referred to it as "an attempt at rock and roll for me". [1] 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". [1]