This set, attributed to the Pret… Read Full Bio ↴Album: The Chicago Blues Tapes 1991
This set, attributed to the Pretty Things-Yardbird Blues Band, is really more Pretty Things (thanks to strong vocal work by Phil May and some striking lead guitar from Dick Taylor, the two cornerstones of the Pretty Things) than the Yardbirds (although former Yardbirds drummer Jim McCarty is on hand), and it doesn’t add much to the legacy of either band, really, although it is a strikingly good outing. The tracks collected here originated when May and Taylor teamed up with McCarty and guitarist and blue harpist Studebaker John and bassist Richard Hite for two George Paulus-produced albums recorded in Chicago in 1991. The sound is very good, and these weren’t throwaway sessions, with the blended band tackling classic songs like “Spoonful,” “You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover,” “Time Is on My Side” (Taylor was briefly a guitarist for the Rolling Stones early in that group’s career), “Ain’t Got You,” and “Chain of Fools,” among others. Again, nothing here adds much to the legacy of either the Pretty Things or the Yardbirds, but fans of either or both bands will undoubtedly love this interesting curio.
AllMusic Review by Steve Leggett
Scratch My Back
Pretty Things/Yardbird Blues Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I got a problem,
I don't know what to do.
Baby, I got a problem,
Bleep me, it concerns you.
You're the only one can help,
I need you to.
I know you can do it,
My, my, my, my,
You can do it if you try.
Don't [hold me back?], babe,
Just scratch my back, babe,
Baby, scratch my back,
Baby, scratch my back,
Baby, scratch my back,
Baby, scratch my back,
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
Scratch my back.
I'm feeling much better babe,
Like I know I should do,
Feeling much better, woman,
All because of you.
I knew that you could do it,
You could do it if you tried.
Come along baby,
Come along tonight,
Make me feel alright, baby,
Come along tonight.
Turn me round now,
Turn me round and come along baby now, now,
Scratch my back,
Yeah, now, scratch my back,
Scratch my back,
Scratch my back,
Don't [hold me back?],
Scratch my back.
The lyrics to Pretty Things/Yardbird Blues Band's song "Scratch My Back" deal with a male protagonist who admits to having a problem, but doesn't know what to do about it. He implores a female partner to "scratch his back," which is a metaphor for providing him with some kind of emotional or physical support to help alleviate his issues. The singer has faith that this partner is uniquely qualified to help him, and even pleads with her to not hold him back from receiving the help he needs.
The lyrics of "Scratch My Back" are intentionally vague and open-ended, which allows for different interpretations. However, a likely interpretation is that the singer is struggling with some kind of internal conflict or emotional distress that he's unable to resolve on his own. He turns to his partner as a source of support, but might also be dealing with a fear of vulnerability or difficulty expressing his needs. The repeated plea to "scratch my back" represents a desire for intimacy and connection, and trusting that the partner can provide some kind of relief or comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I got a problem,
I am going through a problem that I cannot seem to solve.
I don't know what to do.
I am at a loss for what action to take.
Bleep me, it concerns you.
It is a serious problem that affects you as well.
You're the only one can help,
You are the only one who can offer me any assistance.
I need you to.
I am counting on you to come through for me.
I know you can do it,
I have faith in your ability.
You can do it if you try.
I am certain that you have the capacity to help me if you make the effort.
My, my, my, my,
Expressing an eager anticipation for resolution.
Don't [hold me back?], babe,
Urging the listener to take action and help without hesitation.
Baby, scratch my back,
Physically scratching the back as a metaphor for helping out in a difficult situation.
I'm feeling much better babe,
The assistance provided has significantly improved the situation.
Like I know I should do,
It's a feeling of relief and satisfaction.
Feeling much better, woman,
Addressing the listener by a term of endearment as a sign of gratitude.
All because of you.
Acknowledging that the listener's help was instrumental in the positive change that occurred.
Come along baby,
Inviting the listener to continue accompanying the singer.
Come along tonight,
Proposing for the journey together to continue into the future.
Make me feel alright, baby,
Asking for continuous support to maintain the current improvement.
Turn me round now,
Metaphor for the listener being instrumental in helping to turn the singer's life around.
Turn me round and come along baby now, now,
Encouraging the listener to stay the course with the singer in the face of adversity.
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
Affirmation that things are good solely due to mutual effort.
Scratch my back.
Reiteration of the theme of assistance and support.
Don't [hold me back?],
Warning the listener not to stop helping now that things are going well.
Scratch my back.
Concluding with an appeal for continued assistance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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