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Knockin' on Heaven's Door Cover Versions

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Who's Knocked on Heaven's Door?

Bob Dylan wrote Knockin' on Heaven's Door as a part of his soundtrack for a movie about Billy the Kid in the early 1970s. Whether it was the imagery of the lyrics or the global fascination with cowboys and bandits, the song was an instant success. Knockin' on Heaven's Door fired the imagination of musicians and fans the world over. It's been included in dozens of touching death scenes in the movies. The song was named number 192 on The Rolling Stone's list of the five hundred greatest rock songs of all time. There is even a German movie of the same name, containing a cover of Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Selig, and another cover version recorded by the Russian band called The Leningrad Cowboys.

Knockin' on Heaven's Door has crossed many musical genres. Dolly Parton made a country version of it. Eric Clapton recorded a reggae-tinged cover of the song, which has been mistakenly attributed to Bob Marley in more than one place. Then there's Wyclef Jean, Warren Zevon, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Here, I've linked to as many cover versions of Knockin' on Heaven's Door as I could find on-line. Should you know of one that I've missed, please drop a note in my guest book below and I'll add it. I know that there are over one hundred versions of the song out there, I just can't get my digital hands on links to include.

Begin with the Original Version of Knockin' on Heaven's Door

The Song from the Soundtrack of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Amazon Price: $1.29 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Bob Dylan originally recorded the song for the soundtrack of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. If you've never heard the original, you owe it to yourself to start there. Although Dylan himself recorded several more versions, usually at live shows, this was the one that started it all.

Lyrics and Chords for Knockin' on Heaven's Door

The Original Bob Dylan Version

knockin on heaven's door, movie, soundtrack, seligThe basic chords for Knockin' on Heaven's Door are G-D-Am7-Am7 and G-D-C-C. If you listen to the song, the timing should be self-evident. The lyrics are as follows:

Mama, take this badge off of me
I can't use it anymore.
It's gettin' dark, too dark for me to see.
I feel like I'm knockin' on heavens door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot them anymore.
That long black cloud is comin' down
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

Listen to Ten Full Versions

Knockin' on Heaven's Door Times Ten!

I've got some of the best-known covers of Knockin' on Heaven's Door along with bits from U2, Bon Jovi, and a couple of other surprises.
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Cover Versions of Knockin' on Heaven's Door

From the Past 35 Years

Find country, rock, and pop versions of Knockin' on Heaven's Door, both studio and live, from Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and many, many more.

My Take on the Song

What Does "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" Mean?

knockin on heaven's door, fantasy, mourning, fashionFor all its popularity around the world, Knockin' on Heaven's Door is a mournful tune, to be taken as literally as possible. It's actually a very simple concept--a man is at death's door and is asking his mother, as he passes away, to take the things he can no longer use, the things that led to his imminent death. He asks her help to put aside the tools that took him from her. That's all.

If you read the lyrics, you might have been surprised by how few of them there were. Nearly every performance of Knockin' on Heaven's Door that I've heard has been filled with emotion and story. And yet, these cover versions built on the the original that created such pure imagery even without seeing the movie for which it was written. To me, that's the mark of a great song and a sign of Dylan's songwriting genius.

Music Videos for Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Eric Clapton Knocking On Heaven's Door
by sunker5 | video info

7 ratings | 2,079 views
curated content from YouTube

Which Is Your Favorite Version?

Bob Dylan's Original or a Cover Version of the Song?

Bob Dylan and Guns n' Roses are running neck and neck in this poll! Please vote for your favorite and help decide a clear winner. If the cover of Knockin' on Heaven's Door that you enjoy the most doesn't appear on the list below, please drop me a note and tell me who performs it. Thank you!

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When Did You First Hear Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Was Guns n' Roses your first taste, or Bob Dylan?

Share your memories and opinions of Knockin' on Heaven's Door.

  • betty-tailor May 4, 2012 @ 5:09 am | delete
    Defos Guns n' Roses!! Classic song! :)
  • hughgrissettsr Nov 6, 2011 @ 7:50 am | delete
    great lens, great song! luv bob dylan's songs! consider him the 3rd greatest artist in rock and roll after elvis and the beatles.
  • hughgrissettsr Nov 6, 2011 @ 7:50 am | delete
    great lens, great song! luv bob dylan's songs! consider him the 3rd greatest artist in rock and roll after elvis and the beatles.
  • AliveStillkickin Oct 2, 2011 @ 2:01 am | delete
    Hi, Y'all....I just joined.....I thought I might start by adding my favorite version of Dylan's greatest hit performed by Pete Carr....from the Multiple Flash album. (It's 9 minutes of musical ecstasy)
    You can find it here:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMFp39NDHEI

    AliveStillkickin
  • riff999 Mar 21, 2011 @ 3:10 am | delete
    Great tune. Really enjoyed this lens. Blessed.
  • Not-Pop Mar 21, 2011 @ 12:42 pm | delete
    Thank you! I really enjoyed finding all of these to share.
  • Chris Jan 25, 2011 @ 11:37 pm | delete
    First heard the Guns N Roses version, but Dylan's is much better.

    A name you need to add to the list is WARREN ZEVON. His is definitely the best version after the original. Plus, he recorded his version in 2003 after he was diagnosed with inoperable mesothelioma... it doesn't get much more heartfelt than that.
  • ajgodinho Jan 1, 2011 @ 11:23 am | delete
    I really like this song and finally learned to play the guitar chords. Love the Gun & Roses version. Happy New Year! **Blessed by a Squid-Angel**
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