Knock On Wood
Rufus and Carla Thomas Lyrics
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That I got 'cause if I do
I will surely,
Surely lose a lot.
'Cause your love is better
Than any love I know.
It's like thunder and lightning,
You better knock, knock on wood, baby.
I'm not superstitious about ya
But I can't take no chance.
I got me spinnin', baby,
You know I'm in a trance.
'Cause your love is better
Than any love I know.
It's like thunder and lightning,
The way you love me is frightening.
You better knock, knock on wood, baby.
It's no secret about it,
That woman is my loving cup
'cause she sees to it
That I get enough.
Just one touch from here,
You know it means so much.
The lyrics in Rufus and Carla Thomas's song Knock on Wood talk about the fear of losing the love of someone very dear to them. They express the importance of the love they have and how it's better than any love they've known. The singer is so grateful to have this love in their life that they fear the possibility of losing it. They use the metaphor of thunder and lightning to describe how powerful their love is, that it's frighteningly strong. The singer then urges their partner to knock on wood as a superstition, hoping that by doing so, their love will stay strong.
The chorus uses a metaphor of knocking on wood to avoid bad luck, which means that they don't want anything to happen that might hurt their relationship. They are so thankful for the love they've found that they don't want anything to jeopardize it. They admit they're not superstitious, but they don't want to take any chances because their love is so important to them. The last verse talks about the importance of their partner, describing them as their "loving cup" who makes sure they are always satisfied. With just one touch, they can mean a lot to the singer. The overall theme of the song is about the fear of losing something important and valuable to them, and the wonderfully strange feeling of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to lose you, this good thing
That I got 'cause if I do
I will surely,
Surely lose a lot.
'Cause your love is better
Than any love I know.
I cherish our relationship and don't want to lose it. If I do, I'll lose a lot. Your love is unparalleled.
It's like thunder and lightning,
The way you love me is frightening.
You better knock, knock on wood, baby.
Your love for me is so intense and passionate, it's like experiencing the power of nature. Knock on wood to avoid any bad luck.
I'm not superstitious about ya
But I can't take no chance.
I got me spinnin', baby,
You know I'm in a trance.
'Cause your love is better
Than any love I know.
I don't believe in superstitions, but I can't take any chances with our relationship. Your love has me feeling dizzy and entranced because it's the best there is.
It's no secret about it,
That woman is my loving cup
'cause she sees to it
That I get enough.
Just one touch from here,
You know it means so much.
Everyone knows she's the love of my life. She takes care of me and makes sure I'm satisfied. Even just a touch from her means the world to me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mimmoleonardi8643
Absolutely fantastic,❤💪 great soul 🔥
@elizabethmartiezavila5634
Everything Otis sang was gold ..one of our best ever BIG O
@ablackghostmyguy3741
2:08 the way otis says knock on wood just gets me so fired up
@charlescapozzi9440
Best duo version of Knock on Wood!
@butterflyingrid
What a wonderful pleasure. Thank you so much. ☆☆☆☆☆ Otis Ray Redding received the honorific "King of Soul". Among his most well-known songs are "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness". He is considered one of the greatest singers in popular music and a major artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. The idea to produce a duet album with Carla Thomas was Jim Stewart. Three singles were lifted from the album: "Tramp" was released in 1967, followed by "Knock on Wood" and "Lovey Dovey".
@ssmith583
Otis was a master. It seems all the great artist have the ability to take a song and interpret it their own style. I wish I had a chance to see him live.
@ivansanders8459
This was B I G in the 60s in U.K. night clubs. We are very lucky to have modern technology to enable us to hear it with the same freshness as all of those years ago. Imagine the Middle Ages - perhaps only hearing a song once from a travelling minstrel! We take so many wonderful things for granted.
@lisajanedegara9858
I really appreciated this comment. Oftentimes I stumble on older recordings and feel the same way. :)
@dontheguy1
Otis, truly one of a kind!
@shecky308
we miss you Otis!