‘I Hear You Knocking’ is one of those tracks that’s always felt as it were part of the music fans’ collective consciousness. Originally recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1955, it has been covered by dozens of musicians, from Fats Domino to Billy Swan, from James Last to reggae vocalists The Pioneers. Status Quo dropped it into their ‘Anniversary Waltz’ medley, and even hard rock veterans Thunder have put their own stamp on the classic track. For most British listeners, though, it remains most familiar via the Dave Edmunds recording. With its trebly sound and slightly echoey vocal, the Edmunds recording has pretty much become the definitive take, reaching the number one spot in November 1970 and staying at the top for an impressive six week run.
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