Eddie Floyd’s Knock on Wood is a quintessential example of the Stax sound, driven by a pulsing rhythm and a melody built for call-and-response fervor. The song’s infectious groove, punctuated by sharp horn stabs and a drum break that mimics the knock of fate itself, gives it a sense of urgency and movement. Lyrically, Floyd channels both vulnerability and confidence, cheekily invoking superstition. Its themes of luck and uncertainty, accompanied by a dynamic performance, helped make it one of the label’s most enduring No.1 R&B hits.

Before landing at Stax and hitting the charts with “Knock on Wood,” Eddie Floyd had already made an impact in soul music. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1937, he moved to Detroit as a child and co-founded The Falcons. The pioneering vocal group included future stars like Wilson Pickett and Mack Rice. However, after Pickett departed for a solo career, Floyd transitioned to songwriting and production. He eventually moved to Washington, D.C., where he partnered with radio DJ Al Bell to form Safice Records. When Bell joined Stax as a promotions director, Floyd followed, initially making his mark as a songwriter before stepping into the spotlight as a recording artist.

Upon his arrival, Floyd penned tracks for Carla Thomas, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding. Still, it was during a songwriting session for Redding that “Knock on Wood” took shape. Floyd and Steve Cropper were brainstorming material at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis during a summer thunderstorm. As lightning crackled outside, Floyd recalled childhood memories of hiding under the bed during storms. Cropper, drawing from superstitions like rabbit’s feet and avoiding sidewalk cracks, helped shape the song’s theme of protecting love with luck.

Floyd and Cropper brought the idea into the studio the next day, working with Booker T. & The M.G.‘s, with Isaac Hayes contributing on piano and The Mar-Keys providing horn arrangements. David Porter and Quincy Billops offered uncredited backing vocals. One crucial last-minute addition came from drummer Al Jackson Jr., who inserted a signature drum break that mimicked knocking on a door. Initially met with laughter, the percussive knock would ultimately become one of the song’s most distinctive elements.

Despite the song’s undeniable energy, it did not immediately receive the enthusiastic backing of Stax’s leadership. Jim Stewart, co-founder of the label, hesitated to release it, feeling that the melody was too similar to Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour.“ Cropper defended the track, arguing that the melodies were distinct. Nevertheless, Stewart remained unconvinced and shelved the song for nearly a year.

Floyd’s old friend Al Bell saw the record’s potential and took a calculated risk. He convinced Stewart to press promotional copies and personally championed the single, targeting DJs in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, where Floyd had an established fan base. Bell spent two weeks on the road, persuading radio stations to give it a chance. The initial response was slow, but the song gained momentum as airplay steadily increased. By November 1966, “Knock on Wood” had soared to No.1 on the U.S. R&B chart and cracked the Top 30 on the pop charts, ultimately earning Floyd a Gold-certified single.

The song’s composition encapsulates the essence of the Stax sound. Floyd’s vocal delivery is urgent yet smooth, threading gospel fervor through each line. Steve Cropper’s guitar work provides the perfect foundation, offering sharp, rhythmic stabs that drive the song forward. Booker T. & The M.G.‘s, as the label’s house band, bring their signature groove, with Al Jackson Jr.’s crisp drumming and Donald “Duck” Dunn’s rolling bass locking the entire groove into place.

The song’s call-and-response structure and catchy melody made it instantly accessible and memorable. Floyd’s impassioned plea, mimicking the fire of a professing pastor, cut to the core of the song’s listeners while remaining down-to-earth and colloquial. It was a song built for the dance floor, but with an emotional weight that elevated it beyond simple party fare.

“Knock on Wood“ quickly became one of Stax’s most covered anthems. Otis Redding and Carla Thomas recorded a duet version for their 1967 album King & Queen, making them among the first to reinterpret Floyd’s hit. Their take on the song showcased their dynamic chemistry, underscored by its instrumental reimagining by the same backing band as the original.

Released as a single in August 1967, their version nearly matched the success of their previous duet, “Tramp,” peaking at No.8 on the R&B chart and No.30 on the Hot 100. It also made an impact in the UK, reaching No.35 despite Eddie Floyd’s original having left the charts only months earlier.

Likewise, Floyd’s former bandmate Wilson Pickett offered his take the same year. David Bowie recorded a live version in 1974, bringing the song into the rock world. Amii Stewart’s disco-infused 1979 rendition returned the song to chart prominence, catapulting it to No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Stewart’s success continued into the 1980s, as a remix of her version reached No.6 in the UK in 1985.

Beyond its commercial success, “Knock on Wood” cemented Eddie Floyd’s legacy as a songwriter and a performer in his own right. The song’s staying power speaks to its universal appeal—whether reinterpreted for rock, disco, or R&B audiences, its core message of love and superstition remains potent.

By Jared Boyd