Knock On Wood
Michael McDonald & Phoebe Snow Lyrics

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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 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!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Michael McDonald and Phoebe Snow's song Knock On Wood is about the fear of losing a love that is so good and rare. The opening lines, "I don't want to lose the good thing that I've got. If I do, I will surely, I will lose a lot" emphasize the fear of losing something valuable. It's followed by the chorus where they both sing about the intensity of the other person's love for them, which is compared to thunder and lightning, and described as frightening. The phrase "knock on wood" is a superstitious belief that knocking on wood will ward off bad luck or prevent something from happening. In this song, it's used to express the fear that things might not work out in the relationship and the desire to prevent that from happening.

The song's verses talk about the singer's infatuation with the other person, describing their love as better than any other love they've known. The lyrics "I got superstitious about you, but I can't take change. You got me spinning, baby, spinning in a trance" illustrate the singer's fear of losing the other person and how they feel powerless in the relationship. The chorus repeats twice more, emphasizing the importance of not losing the good thing they have.

Overall, the song is about the fear of losing a rare and intense love and the desire to prevent that from happening. The superstition of knocking on wood is used to express the need for protection and to keep the relationship safe and secure.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't want to lose the good thing that I've got
I am afraid of losing your love since it is the best thing in my life

If I do, I will surely, I will lose a lot
If I lose your love, my life will become empty and meaningless

For your love is better than any love other I've know
Your love is incomparable to any other love I have experienced

It's like thunder, lightning
Your love feels intense and powerful, like a strong storm

The way you love me is frightening
Your love is so intense that it scares me sometimes

I better knock on wood
I am starting to feel superstitious and worried that I might lose your love, so I better knock on wood for good luck

I got superstitious about you, but I can't take change
I have become very superstitious about our relationship and I am afraid of losing you

You got me spinning, baby, spinning in a trance
Your love has me completely mesmerized and lost in a trance-like state

It's no secret, but that woman fills my loving cup
It is no secret that you are the one who completes me and fills my heart with love

She sees, so ready, that I get enough
You always know how to satisfy me and make sure I am happy and content

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 know that I must knock on wood for good luck to keep our love strong and prevent anything bad from happening. It is no secret that your love is the best thing in my life, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep it strong and secure

Knock on wood, woo!
I am reminding myself once again to knock on wood for good luck and to keep our love strong and secure

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

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