Knock On Wood
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't want to lose the good thing that I've got
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'm not superstitious about you, but I can't take a chance
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 that that woman fills my loving cup
She sees to it 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

Aw, yeah
(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) oh no, baby





Knock on wood, whoo!

Overall Meaning

In David Bowie's Knock on Wood, the singer expresses his gratitude for the love he has received from his partner, acknowledging that it is better than any love he has known before. He also acknowledges the unpredictability of love, comparing it to thunder and lightning, which is why he must knock on wood to ensure that he does not lose it. Bowie expresses his vulnerability by admitting that he cannot take a chance with his partner as they have him spinning in a trance. The lyrics imply that the singer believes in being cautious with one's blessings, as losing them could result in a significant loss.


The repetition of the phrase "It's like thunder, lightning, the way you love me is frightening" creates a powerful and hypnotic rhythm that musically demonstrates the power of the love Bowie is describing. The lyrics are also reflective of the disco movement of the 1970s in which the song was released, with its fast pace and danceable rhythm.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want to lose the good thing that I've got If I do, I will surely, I will lose a lot
I don't want to lose my current relationship because if I do, I will lose a significant part of my life.


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
Your love is the best I have ever experienced, and it's intense like thunder and lightning. I need to knock on wood to avoid jinxing it.


I'm not superstitious about you, but I can't take a chance 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
I usually don't believe in superstition, but I can't take a risk with you. Your love is too good to lose, and it's electrifying like thunder and lightning. You better knock on wood to avoid bad luck.


It's no secret that that woman fills my loving cup She sees to it 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
It's obvious that this woman satisfies my love life, she ensures that my needs are met, and her love is the best I have ever had. It's intense like thunder and lightning. I need to knock on wood to avoid tempting fate.


(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) oh no, baby
Multiple affirmations reiterating the concept of knocking on wood to avoid losing the said woman because she is the best he has ever had.


Knock on wood
The phrase 'knock on wood' means to make a quick knock on a wooden object to prevent bad luck or avoid jinxing things. In the song, David repeats the phrase to emphasize the theme of the song, which is a plea to avoid losing his beloved by tempting fate with conceit.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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