Terry Scott Taylor
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Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Bedroom Demo #270)
🕑 Added 2023-03-12 19:03:54 +0000 UTCKnockin’ On Heaven’s Door
words and music: Bob Dylan
Ooh, Ooh
Ooh, Ooh
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark, too dark to see
I feel 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
Mana, put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That long black cloud is comin’ down
I feel 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…..
Ooh Ooh Ooh
Ooh Ooh Ooh
Ooh Ooh Ooh
Ooh Ooh Ooh….
guitars and vocals: T.S. Taylor
note:
Described by Bob Dylan’s biographer as “an exercise in splendid simplicity,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” was originally written to be used in Sam Peckinpah’s movie “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” for the scene in which the frontier law man (played by Slim Pickens) lies dying while his wife, who he calls “Mama,” attempts to comfort him. The song was released as a single in 1973, two months after the film’s release, and it became a global hit, occupying spots in the Top 10 on charts all around the world. KOHD has been covered by over a 150 artists, including Neil Young, Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Bono, and Jerry Garcia. The song became popular again in 1990 when “Guns and Roses” released a more elaborate version of it, which went on to become an international hit. My band, Lost Dogs, also covered KOHD in our live performances, often inviting audience members on stage to sing along with us.
Obviously the song is about death, which is an inevitability we will all face. However, the song’s solemn subject matter is offset by an air of sad peacefulness. Featuring only two brief verses KOHD nevertheless has a timeless feel to it.
For me there is a dying-breath kind of weary surrender being expressed in this simple but profound gem. As my days go swiftly by, my curiosity increases: what is it like to have my knocks at the door finally answered; to see it open, to take those first steps into the unimaginable world that lies behind it?
Comments
Thanks Terry. This is a great, timeless song that transcends boundaries. I perform it every chance I get to play out. People love it.
Hey Chris, thanks for the critique. Fortunately there haven’t been any other complaints. Maybe people are just being kind! By the way, that’s a drum machine you’re hearing, so any discrepancies in the track can’t be attributed to an out of sync kick drum. I may have rushed a guitar here and there, but I tend not to be too strict about that. I’m old school in this regard. I’ve always felt that little imperfections can create a looseness that can give certain tracks more of a live band feel. To some ears this light touch of sloppiness may be annoying. Obviously I didn’t hear anything that especially bothered me, but hey, no biggie. Blessings to you my friend.
Chris Neal
Wow do I hate to be "that guy" but the kick drum is just a little off. Sometimes it takes me right out of the song.
