Knock on Wood (song)

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

“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”
Single by David Bowie from the album David Live
B-side	"Panic in Detroit (Live)"
Released	September 1974
Format	7" single
Recorded	Tower Theatre, Philadelphia; July 1974
Genre	Rock
Length	3:03
Label	RCA 2446
Producer	Tony Visconti
David Bowie singles chronology
"Diamond Dogs" (1973) "Knock on Wood" (1974) "Rock 'n' Roll With Me" (1974)

"Knock on Wood" is a hit 1966 song written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper and performed by Eddie Floyd^[1].

It has been covered multiple times by the following artists:
Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in a duet (1967)
David Bowie recorded live and released later that year (1974) as a single
Rachel Stevens (1976)
Ike & Tina Turner
Amii Stewart (1978). This version reached #1 in the U.S. charts in April of 1979, becoming the most well-known version of the song.
Mary Griffin for the 54 (film) soundtrack (1998) in which she also performed

It was also performed by contestants on American Idol:
Kimberly Caldwell (Season 2)
Fantasia Barrino (Season 3)
Lindsey Cardinale (Season 4)

[edit] 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.

Renowned rock critic, David Seal, has noted that Bowie's fascination with soul weakened his sound and his credibility within the community. It would peak in 1975 with the Young Americans album.

[edit] Track listing

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

[edit] 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

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

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