Currently,　knowledge　of　the　failure　mechanisms　of　narrow　backfills　with　retaining　walls　rotating　about　the　top　(RT　mode)　is　still　lacking　which　leads　to　inaccurate　estimations　of　the　earth　pressure.　Numerical　simulations　using　finite　element　limit　analysis　find　that　under　the　effects　of　backfill　geometries,　interface　strengths,　and　soil　properties,　the　upper　soil　layer　supported　by　soil　arching　retains　its　integrity　and　the　lower　soil　layer　is　sheared　by　multiple　curved　sliding　surfaces　in　the　limit　state.　Based　on　the　failure　mechanisms　of　narrow　backfills,　a　calculation　model　is　established　which　considers　the　soil　arching　effect,　curved　sliding　surface,　and　cohesive　soils.　Analytical　solutions　for　the　earth　pressure　of　narrow　cohesive　backfills　with　retaining　walls　rotating　about　the　top　are　derived　by　using　the　limit　equilibrium　horizontal　slice　method.　Compared　with　previous　studies,　the　present　method　predicts　the　earth　pressure　distribution　with　higher　accuracy.　Several　extensive　parametric　studies　have　also　been　conducted.　Thus,　decreasing　the　aspect　ratio　of　backfills,　increasing　the　inclined　angle　of　natural　slopes,　interface　strengths,　and　soil　cohesion　are　beneficial　for　maintaining　backfill　integrity　and　reducing　earth　pressure　against　retaining　walls.