One of the most popular black singers of the 60s, Wilson Pickett helped introduce the aggressive, rhythmic style of black music to a wide audience and has influenced almost countless rnb artists over the years. It all got started in Prattville, Alabama, where he was raised. Pickett moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of sixteen, and he made his professional debut spending several years singing with the gospel group The Violinaires in the late 50s. From 1961 to 1963, he was in The Falcons, writing and singing their 1962 hit "I Found A Love".
Pickett then went solo and signed with Lloyd Price's Double L Records, where he wrote and recorded "If You Love Me" and "It's Too Late." In 1964, Pickett signed with Atlantic Records and did his early recordings in the Stax studio in Memphis, Tennessee with Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper of The MGs. Cropper co-authored three of his early hits, "In the Midnight Hour" and "Don't Fight It from his debut album The Exciting Wilson Pickett that established him as a major soul star. The album also included "Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)," "She's So Good to Me," and "Land of a 1,000 Dances," all recorded at Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals.
Pickett then had hits with "Mustang Sally," "I Found a Love," and "Funky Broadway," all recorded in Muscle Shoals. Pickett then teamed with Bobby Womack in 1968 for Midnight Mover that yielded a Top 10 R7B and pop hit with Womack's title song. In 1969, Pickett had a major hit with The Beatles "Hey Jude,", followed in 1970 by "Sugar, Sugar." Later in 1970, Pickett worked with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The result was two crossover hits "Engine Number Nine," and "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You."
After crossover hits "Don't Knock My Love - Part 1" and "Fire and Water" Pickett left Atlantic for RCA, with minimum success. Pickett later recorded for several record companies, including his own Wicked label, but failed to have anymore hits.
Wilson Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.In 1999 he performed with his friend Bruce Springsteen.In 2002 he performed in the movie Only The Strong Survive.Singing his classic hits like In the Midnight hour and Land Of 1000 Dances.In 2004 Pickett retired from performing do to Health problems.Pickett told his sister he was going to the field of God but he never recovered.
On January 19,2006 Pickett died of a heart attack at his home. At his funeral long time friend Richard Pennimen (Little Richard) did a eulogy for Mr Pickett with his brothers at his funeral.
Pickett's Personal life was troubled. In 1993 he struck a pedestrian Pepe Ruiz. Later that year Ruiz died. Soul Singer Don Covay called him "Young and Wild". Pickett was arrested many times in his life.
Knock On Wood
Wilson Pickett 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,
The way you love me is frightening.
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.
It's like thunder and lightning,
The way you love me is frightening.
You better knock, knock on wood, baby.
You better knock, knock, knock on wood
Wilson Pickett's song Knock On Wood is a love song that emphasizes the power and importance of love. The singer is aware of the value of the love he has in his life and it's importance, and he knows that if he were to lose it, he would lose a lot. There is a sense of urgency in the lyrics, the singer is aware of how fragile love can be and how easily it can slip away. The singer draws a comparison between the way his lover loves him and thunder and lightning. This demonstrates the intensity and power of the love that he is receiving.
Further into the song, he discusses how he is not superstitious, but he doesn't want to take any chances when it comes to his relationship. This phrase is important because it reveals the singer’s internal conflict. He knows how vital his lover's love is, but he still feels the need to be cautious. His lover has him spinning and in a trance, which highlights the irresistible nature of their connection.
The song’s final verse speaks about how his woman is his loving cup, always sees to it that he gets enough. One touch from her could mean the world to him. Overall, the song is saying that his love is so strong and intense that he's afraid of losing it. Therefore, the singer needs his lover to knock on wood to ensure they won't lose the love they have found together.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to lose you, this good thing
I cherish this relationship and I fear losing it
That I got 'cause if I do
I'm aware of the risks involved and I don't want them to happen
I will surely,
Surely lose a lot.
If I lose you, I will lose a lot of valuable things in my life
'Cause your love is better
Than any love I know.
Your love is the best thing that has ever happened to me
It's like thunder and lightning,
The way you love me is frightening.
The intensity of your love for me is overwhelming and powerful, like thunder and lightning
You better knock, knock on wood, baby.
To avoid losing this amazing love, I need to knock on wood, as it is believed to bring good luck and ward off negative energies
I'm not superstitious about ya
I'm not normally superstitious, but I'm willing to try anything to keep this love going
But I can't take no chance.
I cannot afford to take any risks when it comes to keeping you and our love intact
I got me spinnin', baby,
You know I'm in a trance.
Your love has completely captivated me and I feel like I'm in a trance
It's no secret about it,
That woman is my loving cup
It's an open secret that I am in love with this woman and she is the only one for me
'cause she sees to it
That I get enough.
She ensures that I am satisfied and content with our relationship
Just one touch from here,
You know it means so much.
Even a simple touch from her can make my day and have a profound impact on me
You better knock, knock on wood, baby.
Once again, to keep this amazing love going, I need to knock on wood, hoping for good luck and to ward off any negative energies
You better knock, knock, knock on wood
The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of not taking any chances and doing everything possible to safeguard this love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind