Scratch My Back
Slade Lyrics


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Whoa-a-oh oh oh - how long can you go?
Oh can you go a dozen times?
How long can you smile or can you smile a dozen smiles?
'Cos every way holds something that's nice
Try it once and then you'll try it twice

Oh mercy mercy, oh lawdy lawdy
I'll scratch your back if you'll just scratch mine
'Cos when I'm outta sight then I'm out of mind
Oh mercy mercy, do it over and over again, oh lawdy lawdy

How long will it last? it's getting harder off the cuff
How long does it take? there must be someone with enough
'Cos every time holds something that's better –
Go on, get on up and forget the letter
Mercy mercy, oh lawdy lawdy -
'Ll scratch your back if you'll just scratch mine
'Cos when I'm outta sight then I'm out of mind
Oh mercy mercy, do it over and over again, oh lawdy lawdy
Oh mercy mercy mercy - scratch my back
Just a little bit higher

How much do you need? what does it take to get you off?
No-one's ever made it? are you tryin' to make me laugh?
'Cos until now you have tried all the rest -
So now's the time you got to try out the best

Oh mercy mercy, oh lawdy lawdy lawdy
I'll scratch your back if you'll just scratch mine
'Cos when I'm outta sight then I'm out of Mind




Oh mercy mercy, do it over and over and over and over again,
Oh lawdy lawdy

Overall Meaning

Slade's song "Scratch My Back" is a playful and flirtatious track that speaks about the give and take of relationships. The lyrics suggest a trade-off between two lovers, where each person scratches the other's back in a figurative sense. The back scratching represents doing something for the other person that will make them happy, and in return, the favor is returned. The song hints at the idea that relationships are not always straightforward, and there is always a need to compromise and put in effort to make it work.


The lyrics are structured in a call and response manner with lead vocalist Noddy Holder beckoning for "mercy mercy" and "lawdy lawdy" in between verses. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'll scratch your back if you'll just scratch mine," emphasizing the importance of reciprocity in a relationship. The song's bridge asks the question, "How much do you need? What does it take to get you off?" implying that each person has a specific desire or expectation from the other that needs to be met.


Overall, "Scratch My Back" is a song about the importance of mutual effort in relationships. It stresses the idea that both partners have to put in work to make it work. The song also touches on the idea that sometimes relationships are not perfect, and it takes compromise and understanding to navigate through the ups and downs.


Line by Line Meaning

Whoa-a-oh oh oh - how long can you go?
How long can you keep going without giving up or getting tired?


Oh can you go a dozen times?
Can you keep going for a long time, even up to a dozen tries?


How long can you smile or can you smile a dozen smiles?
Can you keep being happy or pretend to be happy for a long time, even up to a dozen attempts?


'Cos every way holds something that's nice
There is something good in every situation or approach.


Try it once and then you'll try it twice
If you try something once and like it, you'll try it again.


Oh mercy mercy, oh lawdy lawdy
An exclamation of surprise or shock.


I'll scratch your back if you'll just scratch mine
I'll help you out if you return the favor.


'Cos when I'm outta sight then I'm out of mind
If I'm not around, people might forget about me.


How long will it last? it's getting harder off the cuff
How long will this last? It's becoming more difficult without preparation.


How long does it take? there must be someone with enough
How much time does it require? There must be someone who can handle it.


'Cos every time holds something that's better –
Each attempt brings the possibility of something better or improved.


Go on, get on up and forget the letter
Take action and don't worry about following the rules exactly.


How much do you need? what does it take to get you off?
What amount or type of something do you require to be satisfied?


No-one's ever made it? are you tryin' to make me laugh?
No one has been successful? Are you joking or trying to be funny?


'Cos until now you have tried all the rest -
Because you have tried other things and they haven't worked.


So now's the time you got to try out the best
This is the time to try the best option or solution.


Oh mercy mercy mercy - scratch my back
An exclamation of surprise or shock, followed by a request for help.


Just a little bit higher
A direction to move slightly higher.


Do it over and over and over and over again
Repeat the action multiple times.


Oh lawdy lawdy lawdy
An exclamation of surprise or shock.




Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@SJHUE

Oh Slade, you are so missed.

@robharding5345

These guys new how to keep us entertained. what a band.

@davesimon3861

Come on Noddy bring it back befor its to late 1 or 2 gigs pleeze slayed

@user-ib9zm5kf3m

отличное исполнение. Slade отличная группа.

@jurgenwagner2050

COME ON SLADE

@JoseRodriguez-qo8vo

❤️❤️❤️❤️