Knock on Wood (song)


"Knock on Wood" is a 1966 hit song written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper and originally performed by Floyd. The song has become covered by later artists, most notably Amii Stewart in 1979. Stewart's disco version was the most successful on weekly music charts.

Eddie Floyd version

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 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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, lightning, The way you love me is frightening'. Floyd's version earned a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America on July 17, 1995.
Chart Peak
position

David Bowie version

released a live performance of the song as a single in the UK in 1974; the recording was taken from Bowie's live album David Live. The B-side, "Panic in Detroit", was not on that album but was from the same concert. It was added to the 2005 release of the album.
  1. "Knock on Wood" – 3:03
  2. "Panic in Detroit" – 5:52
Chart Peak
position
Finland 19
Irish Singles Chart4

Amii Stewart version

released a disco version of the song in 1979. It reached number one on the US 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 and again in a remixed version in 1985. The version earned a Gold certification on March 22, 1979 and then a Platinum certification on August 1 the same year from RIAA when the single sold one or two million units. It would become one of "anthems for the gay community".

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart
"Knock on Wood/Light My Fire" 		Peak
position
Belgium 32
UK 7
Irish Singles Chart6
Chart
"Knock on Wood '99"		Peak
position
Europe 92
France 73

Year-end charts

Other notable cover versions

and Carla Thomas covered the song on their 1967 album, King & Queen. Otis and Carla's version charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in nine weeks, peaking at number 30 on the week of September 23, 1967. The version also peaked at number eight on the Billboard R&B Songs chart. The American Breed also covered it on their 1967 self-titled debut album; Buddy Guy, on his live 1968 album This Is Buddy Guy!; The Mauds, on their 1968 album Hold On. James Cotton also recorded the song on his 1967 album The James Cotton Blues Band; his version is later included in the 1995 compilation album The Best of the Verve Years.
Razzy Bailey's version peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on the week of September 29, 1984, the version's ninth week. Eric Clapton covered the song for his 1985 album Behind the Sun. Michael Bolton covered it for his 1992 album . A singer Mary Griffin recorded her disco/dance version for the 1998 film 54; Griffin's recording was released that same year as a promotional single. Actress Emma Stone performed the song in the 2010 movie, Easy A.
Wilson Pickett, like Floyd a former member of the band The Falcons, covered the song on his 1967 album The Wicked Pickett.