Guy is known for his showmanship; for example, he plays with drumsticks and walks into the audience whilst playing, the latter being a gimmick he picked up from a local blues guitarist at an early age (joining or leaping into the audience has also long been common in both American popular and gospel music, as in the earlier work of Big Jay McNeely or the Dixie Hummingbirds).
Guy grew up in Louisiana where he learned to play guitar. In the early 1950s he began performing with bands in Baton Rouge. Soon after moving to Chicago in 1957, Guy fell under the influence of "Mighty" Muddy Waters. In 1958 he won a record contract with Artistic Records after beating the West Side guitarists Magic Sam and Otis Rush in a "Head Cutting Contest" at the Blue Flame Club. Soon afterwards he recorded for the Cobra label.
In the early 1960s, Guy was a session guitarist for Chess Records. He recorded on Junior Wells sessions for Delmark Records under the pseudonym Friendly Chap in 1965 and 1966. His career took off during a blues revival period in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was sparked by Eric Clapton's request that Guy be part of the '24 nights' all-star blues guitar lineup at London's Royal Albert Hall and Guy's subsequent signing with Silvertone Records.
Knock On Wood
Buddy Guy Lyrics
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If I do, I will surely, I will lose a lot
For your love is better than any love other I've know
It's like thunder, lightning
The way you love me is frightening
I better knock on wood
Baby
I got superstitious about you, but I can't take change
You got me spinning, baby, spinning in a trance
But your love is better than any other love I've known
It's like thunder, lightning
The way you love me is frightening
You better knock on wood
It's no secret, but that woman fills my loving cup
She sees, so ready, that I get enough
And her love is better than any other love I've known
It's like thunder
It's like lightning
The way you love me is frightening
I better knock on wood
Baby
Better, yes, better
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) yes, I better
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) oh, knock on wood
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) you know I would, would
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) it's no secret
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) no, oh, better
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) hangin' above me
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) I can't leave her
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) oh no, baby
Knock on wood, woo!
In Buddy Guy's "Knock on Wood," the singer expresses fear of losing the love he has and the need to knock on wood to avoid it. He acknowledges that his lady's love is better than any he has ever known and compares it to thunder and lightning. He admits to becoming superstitious about her and feeling like he's spinning in a trance. He emphasizes the intensity and fear of losing this love by repeating the phrase "you better knock on wood."
The lyrics suggest that the singer is afraid of losing his love because it is so good and presumably so rare. The reference to thunder and lightning could imply that the love is powerful, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. The need to knock on wood represents an attempt to ward off any bad luck or negative forces that could threaten this relationship. Ultimately, the singer expresses his gratitude for his lady's love and acknowledges that he can't imagine leaving her.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to lose the good thing that I've got
I don't want to lose the love that I have in my life
If I do, I will surely, I will lose a lot
If I lose my love, I will lose everything that is important to me
For your love is better than any love other I've known
My love is the best I have ever known
It's like thunder, lightning
My love is powerful and exciting
The way you love me is frightening
The intensity of your love is almost scary
I better knock on wood
I should hope that my love will last
I got superstitious about you, but I can't take change
I am scared of losing my love, but I know it's inevitable
You got me spinning, baby, spinning in a trance
Your love has completely swept me off my feet
It's no secret, but that woman fills my loving cup
I am completely in love with my partner
She sees, so ready, that I get enough
My partner takes care of my needs, always
Better, yes, better (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) yes, I better (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) oh, knock on wood (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) you know I would, would (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) it's no secret (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) no, oh, better (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) hangin' above me (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) I can't leave her (yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) oh no, baby
I must make sure to cherish and protect my love
Knock on wood, woo!
I hope my love lasts forever
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE FLOYD, STEVE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind