I am the wrong person to ever try to teach someone about disco. I mean, I'd be so incredibly in over my head. However, there is one song that I am firmly convinced someone should be required to cover at every single Idol "Disco Night": Amii Stewart's version of "Knock On Wood." I absolutely adore this song. What triggered this particular post, though? Last night, on So You Think You Can Dance?, one of the couples danced to Rachel Stevens's version of the song (the show has a somewhat strange tendency for incoporating songs by British singers or singers popular in Britain that most Americans probably wouldn't know, at least not in that version; there was a Westlife and Donna Summer song on earlier and last year someone danced to a Dannii Minogue song, for example...I'm not sure if that has something to do with Nigel Lithgow being in charge, or something?)Knock On Wood--completely classic. Completely catchy. And completely smile-inducing. This is one of those "weekend" songs, for me, you know? The sort of celebratory songs that just make you realize "yes, the weekend is finally here!" As I said, every time a singing contest TV show has disco night, someone should be required to sing this version of the song. I know, that means it could potentially be slaughtered countless times, but I don't think even that could ever make me sick of it; the music is just too good. Apparently Amii is Sinitta's aunt--the world of pop seems so small sometimes, doesn't it? She appeared at this year's Sanremo Festival (which Italy participates in instead of Eurovision), too.
Criminally, "Knock On Wood" as sung by Amii Stewart isn't available on iTunes in the U.S., but you can buy one of her greatest hits albums here (physical).
Speaking of catchy and upbeat, Mika is singing "Love Today" on So You Think You Can Dance right now. See, Enrique, you're supposed to have fun on this show. Ebullience! I still really enjoy a lot of the songs on Mika's album, so stuff like this is extra exciting.
Next up: an Icelandic singer who's latest single I originally didn't think I'd end up writing about.
6 comments:
ooo one of darren's favourite songs, which is why he came running into the living room just and said "Paul" (that's me!) "that poster pop lass has done knock on wood" and at first i thought you had recorded it! But no. Still this is good too
Oh, good! And don't be expecting any homemade recordings any time soon ;)
Did you know that Amii Stewart's version is actually a cover of an old 60s rock song, just like Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park"? The original version was performed by Eddie Floyd.
Now if you really like disco, you should track down a copy of Karen Young's "Hot Shot". A #1 smash on the US Club Play chart, a flop on the Hot 100, and a Top 40 hit in the UK.
Oh I love me some Amii Stewart. Have you heard her disco cover of the Doors' "Light My Fire"? It's terribly camp but a stack of fun.
I had read that, Kevin! Not that I've heard the original, but I have trouble believing it tops this.
No, I haven't, Adem! Off to look for it, though... ;)
It comes complete with an outrageous video clip too, as you'd expect.
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