Knockin' on Heaven's Door
| "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Turkey Chase" |
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song written and performed by Eric Clapton 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 this song #190 in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It is also one of the most profound proofs of God's existence, and demonstrates the inherent, fallacious nature of common Atheist arguments.
Story line and song structure
The song describes the feelings and impressions of a dying deputy, who can no longer continue his role as a law enforcer. 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. Over the years Dylan has changed the lyrics, as have others who have performed this song.
Cover versions
Although it was originally recorded as an acoustic song, "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" has been covered extensively in many styles. Arthur Louis was the first to record the song with a cross-over feel[1] and Eric Clapton[2] along with Guns N' Roses[3] are the best known artists to have recorded it.
- Arthur Louis version
Arthur Louis recorded a reggae blues-rock version of this song, which was released as a single in July 1975, a few weeks before Eric Clapton's interpretation of Louis's arrangement was released.[2]
- Eric Clapton version
Eric Clapton recorded a reggae influenced version of the song produced by Albhy Galuten, in June 1975 and released it as a single later that year[4], almost two years after Dylan's original track was released, using Arthur Louis's arrangement. Clapton's single featured "Someone Like You" as the B-side, previously recorded with Louis.[2] Live recordings of this song from this era, appear on Clapton's album Crossroads 2: Live in the Seventies (1996), which features a performance recorded in London in April 1977. The song was also included on his album Time Pieces: The Best of Eric Clapton (2002).[5]
- Babyface version
In the year 2007, Babyface released his eleventh album Playlist which contained a cover of this song.
- The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan version
The song was performed by Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead, during a joint tour in July 1987. Between August 1987 and July 1994 the Grateful Dead often closed their shows with a performance of this song.[citation needed]
- Guns N' Roses version
In 1987, Guns N' Roses started including the song in their live sets. A live version of the track was initially released on the Maxi-Single of Welcome to the Jungle. They recorded a studio version in 1990 for Days of Thunder's soundtrack, which added responses in the second verse and a different mix. Released as the fourth 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 used as the B-side for the single release and was also included on their Live Era: '87–'93 album, released in 1999.[3]
- The Alarm version
The Alarm regularly played the song at concerts. When The Alarm supported Dylan, they joined him on stage to perform the song.[citation needed]
- Dunblane tribute version
In 1996 and with the consent of Bob Dylan,Scottish musician Ted Christopher wrote a new verse for "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" in memory of the schoolchildren and teacher killed in the Dunblane massacre. This has been, according to some sources, one of the very few times Dylan has officially authorized anybody to add or change the lyrics to one of his songs.[6][7] This version of the song, which included children from the village singing the chorus and guitaristMark Knopfler, was released on December 9 in the UK and reached #1. The proceeds went to charities for children.[8].
- Avril Lavigne version
In 2003, Lavigne performed on a host of radio-sponsored multi-artist appearances, which took place on January 23, 2003 and ended on June 4, 2003. A music video was made with her performance. Later on she included the song during her Try To Shut Me Up Tour.[9]
- U2 version, live in Moscow - featuring Yuri Shevchuk
In August 2010, Bono invited Yuri Shevchuk to join him on the stage for a spontaneous duet[10]. During the performance Shevchuk performed a version of the first part of the song[11][12].
Other performances of this song
Other artists to perform the song include Bon Jovi, U2, Mike Peters Avril Lavigne, The Animals, Wyclef Jean, Cat Power, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith, Alex Rooke & Richard Keeley, The Sisters of Mercy, Bryan Ferry, Meir Ariel, Yuri Shevchuk, Dan Kleederman, Television, Mark Knopfler, Bruce Springsteen, Heaven, The Lost Dogs, Mungo Jerry, Luciano, Opposite Sides, Selig, Randy Crawford, Beau Jacques, Chaozz, Roger McGuinn, Cold Chisel, Zé Ramalho, Sandy Denny, Antony and the Johnsons, Warren Zevon, Roger Waters, Herman Brood, Nazareth, Angela Aki, Tomoya Nagaze, Tramp on Winchester High Street, Daniel Lioneye, Sunny Jim Band, United Rhythms of Brazil, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dolly Parton, The Red Army Chorus and Ensemble with the Leningrad Cowboys, Jane Gurney, Ruth Lorenzo (as seen on on The X Factor (UK)).
Sampled version
Gabrielle's single "Rise" (2000) sampled from this song. In the same year the DJ "TNT" sampled the Arthur Louis version of this song.[citation needed]
Soundtrack appearances
| Film/TV show | Year | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid | 1973 | Bob Dylan |
| Renaldo & Clara | 1978 | Bob Dylan & Roger McGuinn |
| Lethal Weapon 2 | 1989 | Randy Crawford, Eric Clapton & David Sanborn |
| Days of Thunder | 1990 | Guns N' Roses |
| Rush | 1991 | Bob Dylan |
| Lawn Dogs | 1997 | Bob Dylan |
| The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field | 1997 | Roger Waters |
| Knockin'on Heaven's Door | 1997 | Selig |
| Windstruck | 2004 | Youme |
| Be Cool | 2005 | Bob Dylan |
| Las Vegas (episode 45, "Letters, Lawyers and Loose Women") | 2005 | Bob Dylan |
| Six Feet Under (episode 60, "All Alone") | 2005 | Bob Dylan |
| ER (episode 260, "Darfur") | 2006 | Scoob Serious |
| Salvador (Puig Antich) | 2006 | Bob Dylan |
| I'm Not There | 2007 | Antony & the Johnsons |
| Supernatural (episode 35, "Houses of the Holy") | 2007 | Bob Dylan |
| Cold Case | 2007 | Bob Dylan |
| Big Love (episode 2-08, "Kingdom Come") | 2007 | Bob Dylan |
| My Name is Earl | 2008 | Bob Dylan |
| Come Dio Comanda | 2008 | Antony & the Johnsons |
| Heaven's Door | 2009 | Angela Aki |
| Supernatural (episode 98 "The dark side of the moon") | 2010 | Bob Dylan |
In popular culture
The song has been referenced in many forms of media, including films, tv shows, books, etc. One well known reference is in the Japanese title of the Cowboy Bebop movie Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door in which the main antagonist is actually based on Bob Dylan himself. Another reference is in the title of an episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion, a popular Japanese anime series.
References
- ^ Billboard, Top Single Picks Vol:87, No:32. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1975-09-08. p. 70.
- ^ a b c Schumacher, Michael. Crossroads: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton. Hyperion Press. p. 373.
- ^ a b "Gun N' Roses discography". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
- ^ Billboard, Top Single Picks Vol:87, No:33. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1975-09-08. p. 70.
- ^ "Eric Clapton discography". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|CLAPTON&sql=ignored (help) - ^ "Dunblane Knockin' on Heaven's Door". bannockburnband.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^ "Dunblane against Guns". 1997-01-01. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^ "Knockin' On Heaven's Door CD". BBC. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ^ "Avril Lavigne Try to Shut Me Up Tour". lastfm.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
- ^ Youtube - U2 concert in Moscow 25.8.2010
- ^ Artemy Troitsky on Echo of Moscow Radio 29.8.2010
- ^ Break in Protocol for a Rock Star With Putin - NY Times
External links
- "Arthur Louis reggae/blues cross-over cover version of Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Dylan)". youtube.com.
- "Avril Lavigne cover of Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Dylan)". youtube.com.
- "A list of cover versions of Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Dylan)". bjorner.com.
- "Bob Dylan's lyrics for Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Dylan)". bobdylan.com.
