"Knocking on Heaven's Door"

Elizabeth · Member

"Knocking on Heaven's Door"

LorettaP · Veteran Member

personally I think the original is the best so far...although I like the G&R version too. Bon Jovi did a version of "Knocking on Heaven's door" too, that one IMO is better than the G&R version.

PatF · Member

Why yes, I guess you might say I've probably heard the song about a zillion times. I'm no fan of the PGBTK movie for which Knocking On Heaven's Door was written, but I'm quite fond of the soundtrack. I've heard more than one person say that my man, Bobby Dylan, should've won an Oscar for best song for Knockin'. Can't say as I disagree.
I have a bootleg of the outtakes of the PGBTK soundtrack--it's sort of like a rehearsal tape. I'm also quite fond of that. I've brought it along when visiting New Mexico and always play it in BTK country. Sometimes, I swear, I've sensed Billy come down from the hills to have a listen to it.
I've heard Bob sing the song live numerous times; it never fails to move me. When he does it at concerts and I'm there, I invariably scream out, "PLAY IT FOR BILLY."
Oh yeah, Bob said in the liner notes for another one of his albums that he did that sound track because, "I have a fondness for Billy."

Blues · Member

quote:
Originally posted by:
"Around the 1970s, a man named Bob Dylan wrote a song for Billy called "Knocking on Heaven's Door." A remake of this song was made by Guns 'n Roses for one of the Lethal Weapon movies. When I heard the song, it really touched me. I almost wanted to cry. I was just wondering if anyone else had heard "Knocking on Heaven's Door.""

Come on!?!??! what's that kinda question? EVERYBODY heared it once, or atleast heared something 'bout Dylan. From which planet are you?

Webmaster · Senior Member

I’m glad to see a new member join us, but for someone who’s new around here and posting for the first time you should be more sociable and less sarcastic. With that said welcome to the board.

PatF · Member

Might I add to Marcelle's comment by saying that I'm a big believer in the 'no question is a dumb question' theory.
If Elizabeth wanted to see if others felt the same way she does about a Billy related song, I'm glad she was able to use this forum to post her thoughts.

nurseypoo5 · Member

Thank you Elizabeth! I never knew that song was written to Billy by Dylan! Next time i listen to that song...i will really "listen" to that song. Not a huge dylan fan, but this put a gold star on his list just cuz. I do however LOVE BONJOVI and thought the GNR version was good too...now i need to rehear the song.

Wierd how you can listen to a song for 20 or 30 years and never really "hear" it!

Liz

Frenchy · Newbie

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 (repeat 4 X)

mama put these guns in the ground

I can't shoot them anymore

that dark black cloud is coming down

feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

knock knock knockin' on heaven's door (repeat 4X)

mama wipe this blood from my face

I'm sick and tired of all this war

there's a long hard feelin' and it's hard to chase

feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

knock knock knockin' on heaven's door (repeat 4X)

(Bob DYLAN)

LorettaP · Veteran Member

Back when I was VP for BTKOG, I had posted an arts and poetry page...in the poetry page I posted poems and songs (I always thought songs were poetry set to music) and I had included this one. You would be amazed at how many songs out there are about BTK!

PatF · Member

I wish I would've seen that poetry page with songs about Billy. Recently, I've become very interested in colledting Billy songs. I thought it might be nice to get them all into one booklet. If Loretta or anybody could give me any leads concerning where I can locate Billy songs, I'd appreciate it.
Pat

Michelle · Newbie

the country singer toby keith also wrote a song about billy... called "i miss billy the kid"

just thought id tell anyone who didn't already know

Blues · Member

quote:
Originally posted by:
" 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 (repeat 4 X) mama put these guns in the ground I can't shoot them anymore that dark black cloud is coming down feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door knock knock knockin' on heaven's door (repeat 4X) mama wipe this blood from my face I'm sick and tired of all this war there's a long hard feelin' and it's hard to chase feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door knock knock knockin' on heaven's door (repeat 4X) (Bob DYLAN) "

There's a million versions of Knockin' on Heavens Door and like Dylan's best.

Other Billy the Kid music: the sounds track from Dylan of the: Pat Garret & Billy the Kid movie (I really love Billy 1,4 and 7)

Ballade of Billy the Kid from Billy Joel.

ljm · Member

i love Bob Dylans version better than any I have heard.

texas_outlaw · Veteran Member

Yes, I believe Toby Keith sang a song called "I Miss Billy the Kid" and Chris Ledoux (I LOVE his music) sang a song called "Billy the Kid". All very good songs.

pollock · Newbie

another song

pantera_06_11 · Member

RE: "Knocking on Heaven's Door"

Blues · Member

quote:
Originally posted by: pantera_06_11
"Hey, thought i would join in a topic on music, i love music and i think that the radio's killed Knockin on heavens door. It has been far too overplayed. I have started on a song about billy but it aint finished, ill post it when its done. It wont be great because im not good at writing and im only 15 so my brain isnt fully developed lol "

You should do that, maybe I'll post my Billy songs when done...

JettRink · Veteran Member

There's also a Charlie Daniels song and one
by Pat Green. That one is called Me and Billy
the Kid, we never got along. Kind of dumb song.
Another one is by Marty Robbins, but its the usual
no truth to it about Billy killing 21 men.

Can Chaser Kate · Veteran Member

The Words to this Tune Do Make me Cry. It just seems So Sad.

robert1953 · Veteran Member

Folks,
For your information.
On March 13, 1996 a man armed with four handguns and 743 rounds of ammunition walked into a school gymnasium in Dunblane, Scotland, and without warning opened fire on Gwen Mayor and her kindergarten class. Within 3 to 4 minutes Mrs. Mayor and 16 children were killed, and 17 other children and teachers were wounded.
The Government report on the massacre recommended tightening the gun control laws, but stopped short of an outright ban on guns favored by many.

Dunblane musician Ted Christopher wrote a new verse for Knockin'On Heaven's Door in memory of the Dunblane school children and their teacher, and in protest of the Government's refusal to ban all handguns.

Lord these guns have caused too much pain
This town will never be the same
So, for the bairns of Dunblane,
We ask, please, never again.

Bob Dylan agreed to the addition of the new verse, something he has rarely done before. The revised version of Knockin' On Heaven's Door, which included surviving school children singing chorus and Mark Knopfler on guitar, was released on December 9th in the U.K. The proceeds are to go to three charities for children.
The official Website of Dunblane Against Guns is at X http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/angus_fairfax/dunbl2.htm X [link now fails, please e-mail correct link if you know it] and for those outside the U.K. the CD single may be ordered via e-mail.

A Reuters article provides more of the story of the Dunblane CD

LorettaP · Veteran Member

Wow, thanks for the information I will be looking into that website for sure. Still, it's a little ironic, almost in bad taste that a song written about a man who killed 4 people in his life and led a life like he did was used for this purpose. I only wish that the gentlemen who wrote the additional lyrics and Bob Dylan would have came together and written an entirely different song in honor of the kids that lost thier lives.

This is just my opinion and granted I don't live in that country, but gun laws that ban guns only hurt law abiding citizens who respect the law...criminals don't respect those laws...if they did, there wouldn't be any criminals. Being a gun owner myself has saved me at least a couple times...once when a man was trying to break into my home while I was alone with 2 kids while my husband was away, and another when a dog wondered into my yard and tried to attack me while my daughter who was 3 at the time was just feet away from me.

Tougher penalties for criminals and better security for school kids is what is needed. So little money is put towards education, I can imagine even less goes in for security. I have 2 school aged kids and I have gone into school grounds without anyone asking who I was or what I was doing there. In most cases, teachers just looked at me, and then looked away. That's a very scary thought that anyone can go onto school grounds and not be questioned.

Anyhow, I'm sure the intentions were good when the lyrics were added, and again thanks for the info.

robert1953 · Veteran Member

Loretta,

No argument from me with what you have said, in fact I agree entirely with your views. Even if I did not, I could hardly take issue with America and it's gun laws, it's your country, not mine.

It's interesting that the folk here believe that Dylan wrote the song for Billy, it never occured to me that way before, in the movie, the song is played over the scene where one of Pat Garrett's deputies is slowly biting dust and looking again at the lyric,the first line is : "Mama, take this badge off of me" Perhaps the song was actualy written for Pat Garrett. What do you think?

Robert.

PatF · Member

Personally, I don't think "Knockin'" was written for Billy. I think it was written for the death scene at the river. Shame on me for not remembering the name of the actor who played the mortally wounded man, but Katy Jurgado played his wife. It's quite the poingent (sp) scene. Katy is looking lovingly at the man who obviously was her husband for many a decade as he is sitting at the river bank at sunset, dying of a gunshot wound. I've had more than one person tell me that it's an awesome movie scene. I always agree, but I always say it was in the wrong movie, being as I'm not a fan of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. I'm simply a fan of the soundtrack.

robert1953 · Veteran Member

Hi Pat,

Chill Wills is the actor you are thinking of, he, along with Jack Elam, Slim Pickins and all the other old timers present, make up Peckinpah's nod to the old style "Western Movie". I agree with you regarding the soundtrack, it is an exceptionally "clear" production on CD, really draws you "into it" as it were. I love the movie too, I always think Dylan's charachter of "Alias" is nearer to Billy than Kristofferson's portrayal.

Robert.

PatF · Member

Thanks, Robert, for reminding me of Chill Wills. And I agree with you 100% about Bob's character being closer to Billy than Kris' "Billy" ever was. If you ever feel like checking out the flick again, watch the scene in the bar/barber shop when "Pat" is getting a haircut and shave--there's a brief shot of Bob sitting in a chair. If the hat had on had been smashed in on one side, he'd've looked so DAMNED much like Billy. Sometimes I think Billy was channeling himself through Bob in that scene. Oh yeah, Bob is quoted in the liner notes of--I think--his Biograph album as saying that he stuck with the movie because he "had a fondness for Billy the Kid. I think his soundtrack reflects that attitude.

CCOD · Member

It is funny that you mention how much Bob Dylan looked like Billy. I was once having the famous Billy picture framed at a store and the lady who was framing asked me if it was a picture of Bob Dylan. I replied that it was Billy but that I thought that was a good guess because there certainly is a strong resemblance.

robert1953 · Veteran Member

In the final end, if we are all in agreement (ha ha) that "Heavens Door" was not written for Billy, here is one that was, it's titled "Billy" from the same movie soundtrack by Dylan, the man who also wrote the words "To Live Outside the Law, You Must Be Honest"

There's guns across the river aimin' at ya
Lawman on your trail, he'd like to catch ya
Bounty hunters, too, they'd like to get ya
Billy, they don't like you to be so free.

Campin' out all night on the berenda
Dealin' cards 'til dawn in the hacienda
Up to Boot Hill they'd like to send ya
Billy, don't you turn your back on me.

Playin' around with some sweet senorita
Into her dark hallway she will lead ya
In some lonesome shadows she will greet ya
Billy, you're so far away from home.

There's eyes behind the mirrors in empty places
Bullet holes and scars between the spaces
There's always one more notch and ten more paces
Billy, and you're walkin' all alone.

They say that Pat Garrett's got your number
So sleep with one eye open when you slumber
Every little sound just might be thunder
Thunder from the barrel of his gun.

Guitars will play your grand finale
Down in some Tularosa alley,
Maybe in the Rio Pecos valley
Billy, you're so far away from home.

There's always some new stranger sneakin' glances
Some trigger-happy fool willin' to take chances
And some old whore from San Pedro to make advances
Advances on your spirit and your soul.

The businessmen from Taos want you to go down
They've hired Pat Garrett to force a showdown.
Billy, don't it make ya feel so low-down
To be shot down by the man who was your friend?

Hang on to your woman if you got one
Remember in El Paso, once, you shot one.
She may have been a whore, but she was a hot one
Billy, you been runnin' for so long.

Guitars will play your grand finale
Down in some Tularosa alley
Maybe in the Rio Pecos valley
Billy, you're so far away from home.

Stay Warm,

Robert

Blues · Member

quote:
Originally posted by: robert1953
"In the final end, if we are all in agreement (ha ha) that "Heavens Door" was not written for Billy, here is one that was, it's titled "Billy" from the same movie soundtrack by Dylan, the man who also wrote the words "To Live Outside the Law, You Must Be Honest" There's guns across the river aimin' at yaLawman on your trail, he'd like to catch yaBounty hunters, too, they'd like to get yaBilly, they don't like you to be so free.Campin' out all night on the berendaDealin' cards 'til dawn in the haciendaUp to Boot Hill they'd like to send yaBilly, don't you turn your back on me.Playin' around with some sweet senoritaInto her dark hallway she will lead yaIn some lonesome shadows she will greet yaBilly, you're so far away from home.There's eyes behind the mirrors in empty placesBullet holes and scars between the spacesThere's always one more notch and ten more pacesBilly, and you're walkin' all alone.They say that Pat Garrett's got your numberSo sleep with one eye open when you slumberEvery little sound just might be thunderThunder from the barrel of his gun.Guitars will play your grand finaleDown in some Tularosa alley,Maybe in the Rio Pecos valleyBilly, you're so far away from home.There's always some new stranger sneakin' glancesSome trigger-happy fool willin' to take chancesAnd some old whore from San Pedro to make advancesAdvances on your spirit and your soul.The businessmen from Taos want you to go downThey've hired Pat Garrett to force a showdown.Billy, don't it make ya feel so low-downTo be shot down by the man who was your friend?Hang on to your woman if you got oneRemember in El Paso, once, you shot one.She may have been a whore, but she was a hot oneBilly, you been runnin' for so long.Guitars will play your grand finaleDown in some Tularosa alleyMaybe in the Rio Pecos valleyBilly, you're so far away from home. Stay Warm, Robert "

That's really one of Bob's best songs I think, I'm also glad he keeps bootleggin' 's own music, that makes the song alive and fun to collect all the versions.

PatF · Member

A minor matter, but--it was mentioned earlier that Chill Wills was the actor in the death scene at the river in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Well, I just watched a documentary on Sam Peckinpah in which I learned that the "death scene" actor was Slim Pickens. Chill Wills was also in the movie, but Slim played the death scene. Just wanna give proper credit where credit is due.
pat

robert1953 · Veteran Member

Yes, quite right too, credit where it is due. I always get those two mixed up, it's the same with L.Q. Jones & Strother Martin. In each case, two sides of the one coin. Talking of Chill Willis though, was he the one who foolishly tried to knock the feather off Davey Crocket's nose in "The Alamo"?