David Bowie: "Knock On Wood" Single (1974)
- David Bowie
- Sep 12, 1974
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 23
David Bowie’s "Knock On Wood" backed with "Panic In Detroit", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by RCA Victor (catalog number RCA 2466) on September 13, 1974.
Featuring live recordings from his Diamond Dogs tour in the United States.
Tracks:
A-Side: "Knock On Wood" (3:08)
B-Side: "Panic In Detroit" (5:51)
releases in other regions like Germany and Italy (see images below)
Production:
A MainMan Production, with tracks co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott (for "Panic In Detroit" as part of the Aladdin Sane sessions) and Tony Visconti (for "Knock On Wood" from David Live).
A-Side:
"Knock On Wood" Origin: A cover of the 1966 soul classic written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper, originally performed by Eddie Floyd.
Context: This live version was recorded during Bowie’s 1974 Diamond Dogs tour, specifically for the David Live album, which captured performances from July 1974 at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia.
Notes: The track was included on the David Live album, showcasing Bowie’s energetic live performance style with his backing band, featuring musicians like Earl Slick on guitar.
B-Side:
Written by Bowie for his 1973 album Aladdin Sane, inspired by Iggy Pop’s descriptions of revolutionaries in Michigan and the 1967 Detroit riots. The song references figures like Che Guevara and John Sinclair of the White Panther Party.
This live version, also from the 1974 Diamond Dogs tour, was not originally included on David Live but was later added to the 2005 and subsequent
reissues of the album, as well as compilations like Rare (1983) and Re:Call 2 (2016).
Described as a “salsa variation on the Bo Diddley beat,” it features a bluesy guitar part by Mick Ronson (on the original studio version) and a darker, intense live performance with prominent percussion, including congas and maracas added by Geoff MacCormack.
Publisher: Mainman Ltd./Chrysalis Music Ltd.
Recording Details:
The studio version from Aladdin Sane was recorded at Trident Studios in London in January 1973, with the Spiders from Mars (Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, Woody Woodmansey on drums). A dispute during recording between Bowie and Woodmansey over the drum arrangement reportedly contributed to tensions leading to Woodmansey’s departure later in 1973.
Release Details
Other Releases: The single was also released in regions like Germany, Italy, and Yugoslavia (e.g., Jugoton SRCA-88783).
A 1983 re-release (RCA BOW 505) exists, with some copies featuring a misprinted A-side label (orange with no text).
Matrix/Runout: Side A: RCA 2466-A / RCA·2466·A1 STERLING
Side B: RCA 2466-B / RCA·2466·B1 STERLING
Both tracks were recorded during the Diamond Dogs tour, a pivotal moment in Bowie’s career as he transitioned from glam rock to soul and funk. The tour was known for its elaborate stage production, reflecting the dystopian themes of the Diamond Dogs album.
Significance of "Panic In Detroit":
The song’s lyrics explore urban decay, violence, drugs, and alienation, tying into the broader themes of Aladdin Sane. Rolling Stone highlighted its connection to Motown’s “Nowhere to Run” and praised Mick Ronson’s guitar work, listing it as his “essential recording” in their 2003 “100 Greatest Guitarists” list.
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