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"Knock On Wood"
Single by Eddie Floyd
from the album Knock On Wood
B-side	"Got to Make a Comeback"
Released	1966
Format	7" single
Recorded	1966
Genre	Soul
Length	3:05
Label	Stax Records S-194
Writer(s)	Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
Producer	Steve Cropper
Eddie Floyd singles chronology
"Things Get Better" (1966) "Knock On Wood" (1966) "Raise Your Hand" (1967)

"Knock on Wood" is a hit 1966 song written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper and originally performed by Eddie Floyd^[1]. The Eddie Floyd version peaked at number twenty-eight on the Hot 100, and spent one week at number one on the soul singles.^[2].

The song has been frequently covered, with charting singles by David Bowie and Amii Stewart.

Covers

David Bowie

David Bowie's 1974 single is taken from the live album David Live.

1. "Knock on Wood" (Floyd, Cropper) — 3:03
2. "Panic in Detroit" (Bowie) — 5:52

Personnel

• David Bowie: vocal
• Earl Slick: guitar
• Herbie Flowers: bass
• Michael Kamen: keyboards
• Tony Newman: drums
• David Sanborn, Richard Grando: saxophone
• Pablo Rosario, Gui Andrisano, Warren Peace: backing vocals
• Tony Visconti: Producer

Amii Stewart

Amii Stewart recorded a disco version of the song which reached #1 in the U.S. charts in April 1979, as well as charting on the soul singles and disco charts, becoming the most well-known version of the song.^[3]. It also reached the Top 10 twice in the UK, first in 1979 (#6) and a remixed version reached #7 in 1985.

Chart positions

Other cover versions

• Wilson Pickett on the album The Wicked Pickett (1967)
• Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in a duet (1967)
• The Flames on their album Burning Soul (1967)
• Archie Bell & the Drells on the album Tighten Up (1968)
• Harpers Bizarre on their album 4 (1969)
• Alton Ellis featured on The Best of Alton Ellis (1969)
• Ike & Tina Turner
• Cher on the album I'd Rather Believe In You (1976)
• In 1980 the song was performed by Pink Lady on their variety show Pink Lady and Jeff.
• Razzy Bailey (1984), whose version reached the top 30 of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the fall of 1984.
• Eric Clapton on his album Behind the Sun (1985)
• Lee Atwater, Chuck Jackson, and Carla Thomas on the album Red Hot & Blue (1990)
• Michael Bolton on the album Timeless:The Classics (1992)
• Maceo Parker on his album Maceo (1994)
• Rachel Stevens (2004)
• Seal on the album Soul (2008)
• James Taylor in concert over the years and on his 2008 album Covers
• Dirt Bike Annie on their album It Ain't Easy Bein' Single
• Lindsey Cardinale on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers album.
• jacksoul on mySOUL (2006)

References