"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" | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Background edit
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]
Influences edit
- In 1966, juke joint blues musician Frank Frost recorded an adaptation of "Baby Scratch My Back" titled "My Back Scratcher".[6] 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.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Everett, Todd (1989). The Best of Slim Harpo (Album notes). Slim Harpo. Santa Monica, California: Rhino Records. pp. 2–3. OCLC 299857016. R2 70169.
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. pp. 181, 161. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.
- ^ "Slim Harpo: 'Baby Scratch My Back' – Also Performed By". AllMusic. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ Marshall, James "The Hound" (1994). The Best of Excello Records (Album notes). Various artists. Los Angeles: Excello Records. p. 5. OCLC 70696292. CD 3001.
- ^ John Wirt, "James Johnson, Slim Harpo guitarist and 'chicken scratch' creator, dies at 82", The Advocate, April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022
- ^ Dahl, Bill (1996). "Frank Frost". In Erlewine, Michael; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Koda, Cub (eds.). All Music Guide to the Blues: The Experts' Guide to the Best Blues Recordings. All Music Guide to the Blues. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. p. 89. ISBN 0-87930-424-3.