Knockin' On Heaven's Door (5:36)
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“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. In 2004, representatives of the music industry and the press voted it #190 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time issue.
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” was written for the Western “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”. The song describes the feelings and impressions of a dying deputy, who notices that it is getting dark around him as he is knocking on heaven’s door. He realizes that he will never use his badge or his guns anymore.
The song consists of four chords in the key of G major: G, D, Am7, and C. The basic pattern throughout the song is G-D-Am7-Am7 and then G-D-C-C, and this is repeated.
Although it was originally recorded as an acoustic folk song, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” has been covered extensively in many styles, most famously by British blues-rocker Eric Clapton and by American hard-rock group Guns N’ Roses.
In 1987, Guns N’ Roses started including the song in their live sets. They recorded a studio version in 1990 for the Days of Thunder soundtrack, and in 1991 it appeared on the Guns N’ Roses studio album Use Your Illusion II. Released as the second single from the album, it reached #2 in the UK singles chart. Their performance of the song at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992 was included on their Live Era: ‘87–’93 album, released in 1999.
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” was written for the Western “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”. The song describes the feelings and impressions of a dying deputy, who notices that it is getting dark around him as he is knocking on heaven’s door. He realizes that he will never use his badge or his guns anymore.
The song consists of four chords in the key of G major: G, D, Am7, and C. The basic pattern throughout the song is G-D-Am7-Am7 and then G-D-C-C, and this is repeated.
Although it was originally recorded as an acoustic folk song, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” has been covered extensively in many styles, most famously by British blues-rocker Eric Clapton and by American hard-rock group Guns N’ Roses.
In 1987, Guns N’ Roses started including the song in their live sets. They recorded a studio version in 1990 for the Days of Thunder soundtrack, and in 1991 it appeared on the Guns N’ Roses studio album Use Your Illusion II. Released as the second single from the album, it reached #2 in the UK singles chart. Their performance of the song at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992 was included on their Live Era: ‘87–’93 album, released in 1999.
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Added by imperialcereal
Live at the Freddie mercury tribute. A great perfomance from a once great band. Slash's solo is mind-blowing as usual.
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Shouts
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tarsha66 wrote:
ill take Dylan's version
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RobertSchreiner wrote:
I do believe that knocking on heavens door is the best song ever guns and roses is #1.
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Popelus wrote:
better than original
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r_m wrote:
Far from the original.
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OLDCHAVYCAR2RED wrote:
a ok cover tune
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art990 wrote:
knock knock!
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drambuekid wrote:
goose bumps...fantastic..still is and always
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aquivaldo wrote:
Far better than the original
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kivan12 wrote:
yeeaa.. :))
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RbrtsWax88 wrote:
Slash is one of the greatest!
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monkeyface666 wrote:
I like this version more than the Dylan original.
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zwarby wrote:
but sorry guys its not in any way better than the original.
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zwarby wrote:
hell ya love me some axel and slash goodness.
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Imperial_ninja wrote:
Gimme some reggae!
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Shmaughn wrote:
this song is hilarious. i laugh every time at the phone part
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TheMed1977 wrote:
i've this same vid on my psp it blows my mind. awesome GnR.
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rockerally wrote:
Dig it hell yeah i do.
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ravens666 wrote:
i am there greatest fan
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settlehead wrote:
Ritz '88 version kills.
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Luard wrote:
Ages better than Dylan's version.
Guns N' Roses
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
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sonnyfst1, lippi71, scottyb30512 and 1 other person loved Guns N' Roses – Knockin' On Heaven's Door. 4 minutes ago
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WLDB wrote about Knockin' On Heaven's Door in Milestones.. 10 hours ago
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