THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

828-Eddie Floyd-Knock on Wood.

1966-Number 19 single.

Best Bit-At 0.46.In the UK the expression is ‘touch wood,’ but this American expression, meaning the same, fits in better with the song.

Eddie Floyd,and Steve Cropper (see also best songs 906 and 712) were both songwriters for the Stax record label, and they initially wrote it with Otis Redding in mind.The saying ‘knock on wood’ is used to express gratitude for good fortune, while hoping that it will continue. In the song the narrator is knocking on wood, because he has been lucky enough to find the girl of his dreams.The song is memorable for it’s pauses, after Floyd sings ‘I better knock,’ there is a pause before drummer Al Jackson (see also best songs 906 and 347) comes in with his drumbeats, and Floyd completes the line with,’on wood.’It was Jackson who came up with the idea, in order to simulate the sound of someone knocking on a door.

Eddie Floyd was born on June 25th, 1937, in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. He first found success as a member of the R&B group The Falcons between 1957-1963, most notably with the 1959 million selling song ‘You’re So Fine.’The Falcons are celebrated as being the forerunners for the next generation of acts such as The Four Tops, and The Temptations.

‘Knock on Wood’ has been recorded by many different artist through the years, most notably in 1979 when a Disco version by Ami Stewart went to Number 1 on Billboard, and Number six in the UK, a remixed version also made Number seven in 1985, and in 1974 a live version from David Bowie peaked at Number 10 in the UK.

‘It’s like thunder and lightning, the way you love me is frightening.’