Scratch Scratch

Words and Music by :  Harry Belafonte and Irving Burgie

 
Recording #1 by Harry Belafonte
Recording date: Jan 27, 1957, (12:00-15:00 & 15:30-18:30 & 19:00-23:00)
Recorded at Webster Hall
Master number: H2PB 1275-13
Playing time: 2:42
Producer: Joe Carlton
Robert DeCormier: leader; Millard Thomas: guitar; Franz Casseus: guitar; Victor Messer: guitar; Norman Keenan: bass; Daniel Barrajanos: conga drums; Noah Rodriguez: bongo drums; Joseph Venuto: marimba; James N. DeMeo: flute; Harold M. Jones: flute; Joseph B. Wilder: trumpet; Gilbert E. Adkins, Irving D. Barnes, Leon Bibb, Irving Burgie, Charles Colman, Stephen Harbachick, Marvin Hayes Jr., Joe N. Kenyon, Samuel R. McCurry, John Nielsen, Broc Peters, Howard A. Roberts, William Stewart, Herbert L. Stubbs, Leroy B. Thompson, Rodester Timmons: vocal chorus.

78 : 20-6084,
45 : EPA-1-1505, 75-408, EPA5138, RPX-1021
LP : LPM1505, TA1015, SP-33-275, PJL2-8121, SP-33-92, CR046, 65198,
CD: PDC2-1295, PD89796, BCD16262, RGMCD006


Recording #2 by Harry Belafonte
Recording date: Jan 27, 1957, (12:00-15:00 & 15:30-18:30 & 19:00-23:00)
Recorded at Webster Hall
Playing time: 3:54

Another take of above recording session.

CD: DAY-O-01

 


Also recorded by:
Gary U.S. Bonds CDCHD-692


Lyrics:

Oh, we went out to a party
It was me and Ben and Mac
And before I know what happen
I get an itchin' on me back

Scratch, scratch me back
Scratch, scratch me back
It really is a fact
The less I itch, the more I scratch

Well I was quite embarrassed
'Till my two friends I did see,
Well they were madly itching
And they were screaming louder that we

Scratch, scratch me back
Scratch, scratch me back
It really is a fact
The less I itch, the more I scratch

Now dis scratching was contagious
And it didn't take very long
Everybody dere was itching
As dey join me in dis song

Scratch, scratch me back
Scratch, scratch me back
It really is a fact
The less I itch, the more I scratch

Well de host he got excited
Picked up de phone in haste
Quickly dial a number
And said "Man come spray dis place"

Scratch, scratch me back
Scratch, scratch me back
It really is a fact
The less I itch, the more I scratch