Eddie Floyd vs. Amii Stewart | Head 2 Head

In the 34^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Eddie Floyd and Amii Stewart contend for the best rendition of “Knock on Wood.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberating, we render a verdict on which performance was the best, or, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 34^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Eddie Floyd and Amii Stewart contend for the best rendition of “Knock on Wood”.  So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Eddie Floyd, “Knock on Wood”

Eddie Floyd // Knock On Wood // Atlantic // 1967

“It’s like thunder, lightnin’ / The way you love me is frightenin’ / I better knock on wood, baby.”  Southern soul musician Eddie Floyd struck gold with “Knock on Wood”, released as a single in 1966. It’s the opening track from his 1967 album, Knock on Wood.  Floyd and Steve Cropper penned the beloved soul classic while Jim Stewart produced it. “Knock on Wood” was one of three top 40 hits by Floyd. It peaked at no. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1966. Also, in 1995, the single was certified gold.

There’s plenty to love about “Knock on Wood.” The star, Floyd, is a charismatic, commanding, and powerful lead vocalist.  He gives his all in his performance, oozing with soul. His lead is amplified by fabulous, harmonized background vocals in the song’s most epic section, the chorus (excerpted above).  While the chorus is the cat’s meow, the verses are sublime.  “I would surely, surely lose a lot / ‘Cause her love is better than any love I know,” he sings passionately in the first.  In the second, he asserts, “Got me spinnin’, baby, baby, I’m in a trance.” Why? “‘Cause your love is better than any love I know,” of course! Besides epic vocals, memorable lyrics, and tuneful melodies, the instrumental accompaniment is lit.  The horn arrangement is stellar, comprised of brilliant instrumental hits and riffs. The rhythm section sounds sickening: rhythm guitar, fat bass line, and the anchoring groove of the drums. The instruments shine further in the instrumental bridge, a break that sounds unrelated to the rest of the song.  “Knock on Wood” is undoubtedly one of the best soul cuts from the 1960s and soul music overall. Bravo, Eddie Floyd!

Appears in 🔻:

• Eddie Floyd, Knock on Wood: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 125 (2024)

2. Amii Stewart, “Knock on Wood”

Knock on Wood: The Anthology // Sanctuary // 2016

Amii Stewart took her cover of the Eddie Floyd classic, “Knock on Wood” to higher heights.  How high, you ask? No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Stewart did something special… once.  She charted on the Billboard Hot 100 twice after “Knock on Wood” but failed to reach the top 40. If you’re going to be a one-hit-wonder though, wouldn’t you relish in the fact that your one hit topped the pop charts and remains a bop to this day?

Written by Floyd and Steve Cropper, Amii Stewart, and producer Barry Leng transformed “Knock On Wood” into a disco/pop gem for the ages. Polychromatic keys and synths rule the roost on this 1979 highlight from her LP – wait for it – Knock on Wood.  The drums play a crucial role too – that beat is ill!  The tempo is quick, contrasting the laid-back, soul-drenched original.  In Stewart’s hands, she’s ready to own the discotheque 💃 🪩! She brings attitude and mad energy to the vocals.  “I’m not superstitious about ya,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “But I can’t take no chance.” Ooh-wee! In the third and final verse, “It’s no secret about it / ‘Cause with his lovin’ touch / He sees to it / That I get enough.” Ooh-la-la, girl! The chorus is electric.  Do you know what’s even more electric? The post-chorus: “Think I better knock, knock, knock on wood.” Indeed, Amii, and her supportive background vocalists! “Knock on Wood” is sickening, PERIOD.  No surprise it earned Stewart a platinum plaque and a Grammy nomination.

Appears in 🔻:

• Amii Stewart, Knock On Wood: 1 Hit WONDERful 32 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, who knocked on wood the best? Was it the Southern soul-filled original by Eddie Floyd or the rousing disco-fied, one-hit-wonder by Amii Stewart? Man, oh man, this one is tough.  Floyd deserved a higher peak than no. 28 in my eyes.  Regardless, check out the streams for this oldie and they are astronomical, expectedly. As for Stewart, who unsurprisingly reached no. 1, her rendition is ‘a ball of fun.’ WOO! It’s hard not to get hyped for the high-flying cut, one of the staples of disco. So, after deliberating, I’ll take the easy way out in this hard-fought battle and call it a tie.

Eddie Floyd vs. Amii Stewart: Head 2 Head No. 34 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Sanctuary; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]