Released 1965 (1965) Recorded 1965 | Format 7-inch 45 rpm record Genre Rhythm and blues | |
B-side "I'm Gonna Miss You (Like The Devil)" Studio J. D. Miller Studio, Crowley, Louisiana | ||
"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.