About the song
Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is more than just a song; it’s a timeless ballad that has resonated with audiences for decades. Written for the 1973 film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” this haunting composition captures the essence of mortality and the search for meaning in the face of impending death.
Originally penned for a specific scene in the film, the song’s lyrics reflect the dying words of a frontier lawman who yearns for his wife and a peaceful passing. Dylan’s minimalist approach, characterized by two short verses, allows the song’s emotional weight to shine through. The repetition of the title phrase, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” creates a sense of urgency and longing, as if the protagonist is desperately trying to reach a higher power for solace.
Released as a single after the film’s premiere, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” quickly became a worldwide hit, reaching the Top 10 in several countries. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to the song’s universal themes and Dylan’s powerful delivery. The lyrics’ directness and emotional honesty have resonated with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, making it one of the most covered songs of the post-1960s era.
Artists as diverse as Eric Clapton, Guns N’ Roses, and Randy Crawford have offered their own interpretations of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” each adding their unique style and perspective to the classic. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to transcend musical genres and cultural boundaries, speaking to the shared human experience of mortality and the search for meaning.
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” at number 190 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This recognition cemented the song’s status as a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and move listeners around the world.
Video
Lyrics
Mama take this badge from me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark too dark to see
Feels 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
Mama put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That cold black cloud is comin’ down
Feels 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
“You just better start sniffin’ your own rank subjugation jack
‘Cause it’s just you against your tattered libido
The bank and the mortician, forever man
And it wouldn’t be luck if you could get out of life alive”
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)
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)
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