| "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(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. [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]
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]