2. An American doo wop group, whose lone hit was "Sh-Boom", ranked #215 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. The Chords were a 1950s American doo wop group, whose lone hit was "Sh-Boom". They are sometimes mistakenly cited as the first R&B group of the 1950s to reach the pop charts. Although both versions of the song Sh-Boom (by The Chords and by The Crew-Cuts) were huge hits, it is the song Gee, released by The Crows in June 1953, that is properly credited with the honor of being the first Rock n’ Roll hit by a rock and roll group. The Chords - Carl (lead) and Claude Feaster (baritone), Jimmy Keyes (first tenor), Floyd "Buddy" McRae (second tenor) and Ricky Edwards (bass) - formed in 1951 in the Bronx, New York, but were not discovered until three years later, when they were spotted singing in a subway station, a performance that ultimately landed them a recording contract with Atlantic Records' Cat Records label. Jerry Wexler, Atlantic's A&R man, had the Chords cover a Patti Page hit, "Cross Over the Bridge" (it was also covered by The Flamingos for the Chance Records label), but it was the B-side, "Sh-Boom," a vocal tune with an a cappella catchy introduction that caught the imagination. A cover version later done by a white group called The Crew-Cuts, attempted to add their own spin on the song by seemingly adding nonsensical syllables ("shh-boom, shh-boom, yadda da da yadda da da da da da") that caused considerably more commotion. However the words ("Yadda da da yadda da da da da da") were never sung in the original version by the Chords. By the end of June 1954, "Sh-Boom" had climbed up the charts nationwide, charting on both the R&B (number three) and pop (number nine) lists, a nearly unprecedented feat for its time. For all practical purposes - along with The Crows' 1954 hit "Gee" (another upbeat B-side hit that DJs flipped over) - "Sh-Boom" introduced the white audience to black R&B music for the first time. [NOTE: The Crows "Gee" first appeared on the Billboard charts in March, 1954. While both versions of "Sh-Boom" were influential, better candidates for the first, or most influential song, by a black act to cross-over from the R&B charts to the pop charts, are The Dominoes' "Sixty Minute Man" which made it to #17 of the pop charts in 1951, and The Orioles' "Crying in the Chapel", #11 in 1953]. Not everyone thought the song was a precursor of good things to come. Peter Potter, host of TV's popular "Juke Box Jury", was seemingly aghast at the state of this then-new trend in pop music and attacked "Sh-Boom" asking if anyone would remember the admittedly demented ditty in five, let alone 20 years time and whether any record label would even think to re-release it in the future. Atlantic released numerous additional singles which mostly failed to chart. A last gasp attempt to resurrect the act came in mid 1955 when the group renamed themselves the Sh-Booms after their one big hit. The Chords/Chordcats/Sh-Booms went through several personnel changes during the late 1950s, recording a handful of forgettable records for Vik Records in 1957, and eventually returned to Atlantic in 1960 for one last recording before slipping away into the ether of time.
1. The British 1979 Mod Revival band called "The Chords" consisted of Chris Pope, Martin Mason, Billy Hassett, and Brett Ascott. The Chords story starts with cousins Billy Hassett and Martin Mason rehearsing Beatles and Who songs, etc, together at school. Via a New Musical Express advert Chris Pope joins in January 1978. They spend the year writing, rehearsing and playing a couple of gigs. They also fail to become the band in Quadrophenia - too loud apparently!. With the dawn of 1979 Paul Halpin (the original drummer and eventual road manager) is replaced with Brett (Buddy) Ascott. Buddy adds the final element the band is looking for. A powerhouse drummer with far too much energy and a desire to be Keith Moon, Buddy is the final link in the chain. By the end of March the band are playing the Wellington in Waterloo to packed crowds. In the audience are Paul Weller, NME and Polydor. This helps the band secure more gigs and an important support slot to The Jam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P9-swHFctk
http://www.discogs.com/artist/658528-Chords-The-2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chords
http://www.chrishunt.biz/features54.html
http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=chords
http://www.thechords.co.uk/
https://myspace.com/thechordsuk
Knock On Wood
The Chords Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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!
The Chords' song "Knock on Wood" is a classic soul hit that expresses the fear and anxiety that often come with newfound love. The lyrics acknowledge the reality that good things in life can be fleeting, and that one should knock on wood to avoid losing what they have. The track's chorus features the repetition of the phrase "It's like thunder, lightning, the way you love me is frightening," which creates a feeling of intensity and passion.
The first verse describes a fear of losing what has been gained and the value placed on a special relationship. The singer fears that without knocking on wood, they will lose the good thing they've got. The chorus emphasizes the power of the love that the singer has found and how it is like thunder and lightning. The second verse shows how the singer has become superstitious about the relationship to avoid losing it. The bridge introduces a female character who fills the singer's loving cup, giving them enough love to make his world go round. Ultimately, the song expresses the need to cherish a good thing in life and protect it from harm.
"Knock on Wood" became a massive hit in the United States and the United Kingdom, reaching number 19 in the US charts and number 5 in the UK charts. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Amii Stewart, Otis Redding, and Eric Clapton. Below are ten interesting facts about the song:
1) The original version of "Knock on Wood" was recorded by Eddie Floyd, in 1966
2) The song was written by Steve Cropper and Floyd
3) The Chords were a group from the Bronx, New York, and their version was recorded in 1966
4) The Chords' version was produced by Richard Gottehrer, who also wrote "I Want Candy" by The Strangeloves
5) The song was a hit in the United Kingdom Mod and Northern soul scenes in the 1960s
6) Amii Stewart's 1979 disco version of the song was a global hit, reaching number one in the US and the UK.
7) The bassline in "Knock on Wood" was borrowed from the James Brown song "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag."
8) The song has been covered by more than 20 artists, including David Bowie, Wilson Pickett, and Cher.
9) Bruce Springsteen covered the song live and in his concerts for years.
10) The song was inspired by the phrase "touch wood," which is commonly used in the UK to prevent bad luck.
Chords: G, C, D, Am, B7, Em.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to lose the good thing that I've got
I'm afraid of losing what I have and all that it brings
If I do, I will surely, I will lose a lot
Losing this good thing will mean the loss of many valuable things in my life
For your love is better than any love other I've know
I've never experienced a love that's as great as yours
It's like thunder, lightning
Your love is powerful and electrifying
The way you love me is frightening
Your love is so intense and strong that it scares me a little
I better knock on wood
I hope to avoid bad luck by knocking on wood, indicating that I'm incredibly grateful for your love
I got superstitious about you, but I can't take change
I've become very superstitious about our relationship and I'm afraid of losing it
You got me spinning, baby, spinning in a trance
You have me completely mesmerized and enchanted by your love
It's like thunder, lightning
Your love is still incredibly powerful and electrifying, as it was before
You better knock on wood
You should also knock on wood to ensure that nothing bad happens to our relationship
It's no secret, but that woman fills my loving cup
Everyone knows that you are the one who fills me with love and happiness
She sees, so ready, that I get enough
You give me everything that I need and make sure that my love cup is always full
And her love is better than any other love I've known
Your love still remains the best I've ever experienced
It's like thunder
Your love still has immense power and strength
It's like lightning
Your love is still electrifying, just as it was before
Better, yes, better
Your love keeps getting better and better
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) yes, I better
We both should knock on wood to ensure that we keep enjoying this wonderful love
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) oh, knock on wood
Let's acknowledge our good fortune and give thanks to ensure that it continues
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) you know I would, would
I will continue to knock on wood to keep bringing good luck to our relationship
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) it's no secret
We should not be shy about acknowledging the wonderful love that we share
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) no, oh, better
Our love keeps getting even better and better
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) hangin' above me
I have found some wood to knock, demonstrating my desire to maintain our loving relationship
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) I can't leave her
I am committed to our relationship and would never dream of leaving you
(yes you better knock, knock, knock on wood) oh no, baby
I am so in love with you and our relationship that I'd do anything to protect it
Knock on wood, woo!
Let's continue to knock on wood to keep our relationship going strong and sustain the love that we share
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: EDDIE FLOYD, STEVE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EricBlackmonGuitar
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@robertosozio3425
Nice song i rimember one version by Eric Clapton by album August good nice Eric
@sallysigler727
Great lesson Mr Blackmon! You play and teach with such clarity! Love it! Thanks!! ❤
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@luisvidana952
Thanks so much, Eric. Your teaching style is patient, clear, and informative. God bless.
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You are very welcome! Thanks so much for watching! Please save this link to my channel to check for new videos! https://www.youtube.com/user/EricBlackmonGuitar/videos
@chakakhan3751
That A to A6 is so simple but so musical. Thanks so much
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@jeffsquires6620
Always loved this song, many thanks for showing how to play my childhood favorites.
@EricBlackmonGuitar
You are welcome my friend! Thanks for watching!