"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]
| "Baby Scratch My Back" | |
|---|---|
| SinglebySlim Harpo | |
| B-side | "I'm Gonna Miss You (Like the Devil)" |
| Released | 1965 (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 |
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]