Jun 14, 20222 min read

Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart (1979) 6/14/22

Today's "Great Song of the '70s" was a hit four times....by four different artists...over the course of 13 years (1966-79).

It started out as a rhythm blues hit, was transformed into a hard rock song, and ended up as one of the fastest and loudest disco songs of all time!

The song is Knock on Wood," written by Eddie Floyd and legendary guitarist Steve Cropper during a severe thunderstorm in Memphis--hence the lyrics about "thunder and lightning!")

In 1966, Eddie's original version went straight to the top of Billboard's Soul Chart...and that should have been hard to beat. But it wasn't.

In fact, the very next year, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas took a run at it with their version, and they almost topped it, reaching #8 on the Soul Chart.

Then in 1974, David Bowie did a rockin' live version that didn't chart in the US, but reached the Top 10 in the UK, Ireland and Norway.

Finally, in 1979, Amii Stewart came along her disco version and blew all the others out of the water--literally!

Clocking in at 142 beats per minute, it was one of the fastest dance tunes of the era...and the production included a knocking sound effect that if played loud enough would actually shake the floor under the dancers' feet and elicit screams throughout the building. It was almost like a series of sonic booms--and people LOVED it. (As a club DJ, I witnessed this dozens of times!)

In fact, the crowds loved it so much, Amii's version charted in 16 countries worldwide, reaching #1 in the US and Canada. Up North, it was a TRIPLE #1, topping the Disco, Top 40, and Adult Contemporary Charts! Here in the US, it topped the Hot 100, reached #5 on the Disco Chart and #6 on the Soul Chart.

It sold over two million copies, and was nominated for "Best Female Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance at the 1980 Grammy Awards!

To sum it up: "Knock on Wood" had already been a "Great Song" three times, but Amii Stewart saved the best for last!

Give them all a listen, but when you get to Amii's version, turn up your speakers to "11," and get ready for a sonic experience!