Baby Scratch My Back

Slim Harpo

About Baby Scratch My Back

"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. The backing has been described as "a laconic, loping beat with tremolo laden guitar, wood block maracas, and snapping snare drum sound". Harpo referred to it as "an attempt at rock and roll for me". 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". 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. It was Harpo's most commercially successful single and was subsequently recorded by several musicians. 


Year:
1996
2:46
104 

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Aw, I'm itchy
And I don't know where to scratch
Come here baby
Scratch my back
I know you can do it
So baby, get to it

Aw, you're workin with it now
You got me feelin' so good
Little bit to the center now, baby
Hmm-mmm!

This little girl sho' knows how to scratch
Now, you're doin' the chicken-scratch
Aw, it's lookin' good, baby
Just gettin' scratchy
That's what I'm talkin' about

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Slim Harpo

Slim Harpo (February 11, 1924 – January 31, 1970) was an American blues musician. He was known as a master of the blues harmonica; the name "Slim Harpo" was derived from "harp," the popular nickname for the harmonica in blues circles. more »

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Written by: James Moore

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13 facts about this song

Title and Artist
"Baby Scratch My Back" is a song by the American blues musician known as Slim Harpo.
Chart Success
The song was remarkably successful as it reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart in February of 1966.
Year of Release
"Baby Scratch My Back" was released in 1966, during the peak of the blues genre’s popularity in the United States.
Song Structure
Unusually, the song features no guitar; it is structured around a harmonica riff, backed with drumming, vibes, bass guitar, and intermittent female backing singers.
Famous Covers
Some notable musicians have covered the song over the years, including The Ventures, Otis Redding, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Genre
"Baby Scratch My Back" is classified within the musical genre known as blues.
Slim Harpo's Real Name
The artist behind the song, Slim Harpo, was actually born as James Isaac Moore. He adopted the stage name 'Slim Harpo' at the start of his music career.
Main Theme
The song follows a theme common in blues music; it tells a story of romantic affection, expressed through quirky metaphors.
Crossover Hit
It was a crossover hit, also reaching No. 16 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.
Instrumental Lineup
The minimal instrumentation – primarily harmonica, percussion, and bass – gave the song a lighter, more contemporary sound compared to many other blues records of its time.
Notable Feature
"Baby Scratch My Back" is noted for its 'call-and-response' style, with Slim Harpo's singing call answered by a female group's sung response.
Duration
The song has a duration of 2:43, an average length for songs at the time.
Recording Label
The song was released under the Excello label.

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    Baby Scratch My Back

    2.7M
    25,494     1,068

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #16


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