"Knock on Wood" is a song written by M.K. Jerome and Jack Scholl for the 1942 film Casablanca, where it was performed onscreen by Dooley Wilson to music played by pianist Elliot Carpenter. Commissioned by producer Hal B. Wallis, the song is the movie's only original composition.
Performance in Casablanca[]
In the film, band leader Sam, played by Wilson, sings the refrain "Who's got trouble? / Knock on wood" at Rick's Cafe Americain during an early conversation between main character and bar owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and black market dealer Guillermo Ugarte (Peter Lorre). The conversation introduces stolen letters of transit, a plot device that drives the Casablanca story and personal turmoil for Rick. The song foreshadows the role the letters of transit and Ugarte will play in the story and for Rick.
Lyrics[]
Said who's got trouble?
We got trouble!
How much trouble?
Too much trouble!
Well now, don't you bow
Just knuckle down and knock on wood
Who's unhappy?
We're unhappy!
How unhappy?
Too unhappy!
Uh oh, that won't do
When you are blue, just knock on wood
Who's unlucky?
We're unlucky!
How unlucky?
Too unlucky!
But your luck'll change, if you arrange to knock on wood
Who's got nothin'?
We got nothin'!
How much nothin'?
Too much nothin'!
Said nothin's not an awful lot, but knock on wood
Aha, now who's happy?
We're happy!
Just how happy?
Very happy!
That's the way we're gonna stay
So knock on wood
Now who's lucky?
We're all lucky!
Just how lucky?
Very lucky!
Well, smile up then!
And once again, just knock on wood
