Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd song)

For the Knock on Wood song featured in the film "Casablanca", see Casablanca (film).

"Knock on Wood"
Song
B-side	"Got to Make a Comeback"

"Knock on Wood"
Song
B-side	"Panic in Detroit (Live)"

"Knock on Wood"
Song

"Knock on Wood" is a hit 1966 song written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper and originally performed by Eddie Floyd.

David Bowie version

With Bowie becoming fascinated with soul music on his 1974 American tour, a rendition of "Knock on Wood" was added to the live repertoire. This was chosen from the Tower Theatre recordings for the live double album David Live to be released as a single in the UK, with "Panic in Detroit" from the same concerts as a B-side. In America, "Rock 'n' Roll With Me" was chosen to promote the album. The British single made #10 in the charts, while the American version failed to chart.

Track listing

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

Production credits

• Producer:
  • Tony Visconti

• Musicians:
  • David Bowie: vocals
  • 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

Amii Stewart version

Amii Stewart's version 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.

Chart positions

Chart (1979) Ammi Stewart version	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	6
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	5

Other cover versions

Other notable cover versions of the song include:

• Cher on the album I'd Rather Believe In You (1976)
• Michael Bolton on the album Timeless:The Classics (1992)
• Wilson Pickett on the album The Wicked Pickett (1967)
• Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in a duet (1967)
• Archie Bell & the Drells on the album Tighten Up (1968)
• The Ramblers Dance Band on their album The Hit Sound of the Ramblers Dance Band (1969)
• Harpers Bizarre on their album 4 (1969)
• Alton Ellis featured on The Best of Alton Ellis (1969)
• David Bowie recorded live and released later that year (1974) as a single
• Eric Clapton on his album Behind the Sun (1985)
• Rachel Stevens (2004)
• Ike & Tina Turner
• Razzy Bailey (1984), whose version reached the top 30 of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the fall of 1984.
• Mary Griffin for the 54 soundtrack (1998) in which she also performed
• Carmen Carter from "An Extremely Goofy Movie" (2000).
• Seal on the album Soul (2008)
• Lindsey Cardinale on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers album.
• Lee Atwater, Chuck Jackson, and Carla Thomas on the album Red Hot & Blue (1990)
• 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
• The Flames on their album Burning Soul(1967) Featuring Blondie Chaplin & Ricky Fataar

References

• "Joel Whitburn's, Presents, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004", 2004 (Record Research) pg. 208
• "Joel Whitburn's, Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003", 2004 (Record Research) pg. 246

Literature

• Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5