About The Song
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released as a single from the soundtrack album for the film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid on July 13, 1973, through Columbia Records, with “Turkey Chase” as the B-side. Written by Dylan and produced by Gordon Carroll, it was recorded in February 1973 at Burbank Studios in California. The song was created specifically for the Western film, in which Dylan also had a minor acting role as the character Alias.
The single achieved moderate chart success. It peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1973, charting for 14 weeks, and reached No. 14 in the UK Singles Chart. Internationally, it hit No. 8 in Canada (RPM Top Singles), No. 9 in Ireland (IRMA), No. 10 in the Netherlands (Single Top 100), and No. 18 in Australia (Kent Music Report). After Dylan’s 2016 Nobel Prize win, the song re-entered charts, reaching No. 66 in France (SNEP) and No. 28 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. Certifications include Platinum in the UK (600,000 units) and Gold in Italy (25,000 units). The Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid soundtrack album peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and No. 29 in the UK, earning Gold certification in the US (500,000 units). The song ranks No. 192 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (2021).
The song’s creation was tied to the film’s production. Dylan was approached by director Sam Peckinpah to contribute music for Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, a gritty Western about the outlaw Billy the Kid. The song was written for a scene depicting the death of Sheriff Colin Baker, played by Slim Pickens, as confirmed by Dylan in a 1985 Spin interview. Composed in a single session, the track was inspired by a traditional folk melody, with Dylan improvising lyrics on set, per a 2018 American Songwriter article. The simple chord progression (G-D-Am) was designed to fit the film’s somber tone, recorded with a small ensemble including Roger McGuinn on guitar, Jim Keltner on drums, and Carol Hunter on backing vocals.
Production details highlight the song’s minimalistic approach. Recorded on a 16-track tape machine, Dylan’s vocals were captured using a Shure SM57 microphone in one or two takes, as noted by engineer Dan Wallin in a 2020 uDiscovermusic article. The session featured Terry Paul on bass and Brenda Patterson on additional vocals, with no overdubs for the sparse arrangement. The film’s soundtrack included an instrumental version used in the closing credits. The song was first performed live by Dylan at the 1974 Tour with The Band, captured on Before the Flood. Notable covers include Guns N’ Roses’ 1987 version, which reached No. 2 in the UK, and Eric Clapton’s 1975 single. The song appeared in films like Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966, re-release) and TV shows like The Walking Dead (2014). In 1996, Dylan approved its use for a Scottish missionary’s campaign, per Songfacts, a rare instance of licensing.
Video
Lyric
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s gettin’ dark, too dark to see
I feel I’m knockin’ on heaven’s doorKnock, 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 doorMama, 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 doorKnock, 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