Guns N’ Roses

Released: September 17, 1991

Featuring: The Waters

Songwriter: Bob Dylan

Producer: Guns N’ Roses Mike Clink

[Intro: Axl Rose]
Ooh, ooh
Hey

[Verse 1: Axl Rose]
Mama, take this badge from me
I can't use it anymore
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

[Chorus: Axl Rose]
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, hey, hey, hey hey yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ooh
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ooh-oh yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ayy hey yeah
Ooh-oh yeah, oh yeah, aw

[Verse 2: Axl Rose]
Mama, put my guns in the ground (Ooh)
I can't shoot them anymore (Ooh)
That cold black cloud is comin' down (Ooh)
Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door (Ooh)

[Chorus: Axl Rose]
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, hey, hey, hey hey yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ooh yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ayy hey yeah
Ooh

[Guitar Solo]

[Spoken: Josh Richman]
You just better start sniffing your own rank subjugation, Jack
Because 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

[Outro: Axl Rose, Choir & Both]
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, hey, hey, hey hey yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ooh yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ooh, no, no, no, woah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, no, no, no, woah, no
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, woah, woah, woah, yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ooh yeah
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, woah, woah, woah
Woah, woah, yeah, oh

Guns N' Roses was the most dangerous band in the world in the late 80s and early 90s. Led by singer Axl Rose and stylish guitarist Slash, they mixed the passion of blues, the heaviness of rock, and the attitude of punk, bringing forth a breath of fresh air to a music scene dominated by cheesy hair metal bands.

Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, is the best selling debut of all-time. They outsold a headlining Aerosmith on their first major tour, released two double albums (Use Your Illusion I & II) simultaneously, and soon would play to audiences in excesses of 20,000 people.

However, cracks started forming in the band, as classic era drummer Steven Adler was fired from the band before the “Use Your Illusion” releases and founding rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin left abruptly during the ensuing tour. They were replaced by Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke, respectively, with keyboardist Dizzy Reed joining the band and expanding the group’s sound.

more tracks from the album

Appetite for Destruction (Super Deluxe Edition)

From the albums

Guns N’ Roses (1988)
Days of Thunder: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack (1990)
Use Your Illusion II (1991)
Use Your Illusion (1998)
Live Era ’87–’93 (1999)
Greatest Hits (2004)
Appetite for Destruction (Super Deluxe Edition) (2018)

Guns N’ Roses popular songs

Knockin’ on Heaven’s DoorGuns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses

Appetite for Destruction (Super Deluxe Edition)