Released September 1966 Recorded 1966 Length 3:05 | Format 7" single Genre Soul | |
B-side "Got to Make a Comeback" | ||
"Knock On Wood" is a 1966 hit song written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper and originally performed by Floyd. His recording peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent one week at number 1 on the Soul Singles chart. The song was written in the Lorraine Motel Memphis, Tennessee now The National Civil Rights Museum. Steve Cropper has stated in interviews that there was a lightning storm the night that he and Eddie wrote the song, hence the lyrics 'It's like thunder and lightning, The way you love me is frightening'.
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The song has been frequently covered, first by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in 1967. The American Breed covered it on their 1967 debut album, The American Breed. There have also been charting singles by David Bowie (1974), Amii Stewart (1979), Razzy Bailey (1984), Eric Clapton (1985), Michael Bolton (1992) and Safri Duo featuring Clark Anderson (2004). The German techno band Scooter made a half-cover of the song, entitled "The Avenger's Back", on their 2004 album Mind the Gap. The song is also featured in the movie "Satisfaction", as performed by Justine Bateman and the Mystery.
David Bowie
David Bowie's 1974 single is taken from the live album David Live. "Panic in Detroit" was not on the album but was from the same concert. It was added to the 2005 release of that album.
- "Knock on Wood" (Floyd, Cropper) — 3:03
- "Panic in Detroit" (Bowie) — 5:52
Personnel
Amii Stewart
The most successful version of "Knock on Wood" was recorded by Amii Stewart, who made a disco version of the song in 1979. It was Stewart's debut single and reached number one in the U.S. charts in April 1979; it also made it to the soul singles and disco charts, becoming the best-known version of the song. This recording was co-produced by Simon May. It reached the Top 10 twice in the UK, first in 1979 (peaking at number 6) and again in a remixed version in 1985 (peaking at number 7).