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Unlike the “Oh wow” the other day with Cat Stevens‘ songwriter’s version of Here Comes My Baby (see below), today I heard something more well known, but haven’t in some time – Bob Dylan‘s 1973 Top Twenty hit Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.
[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR
Bob Dylan
[Video]
Bob Dylan specifically wrote Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door for the 1973 American western film in which he appeared called Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid.
The film starred James Coburn (Pat Garrett) and Kris Kristofferson (Billy The Kid).
He penned the song from the perspective of town ‘Sheriff Colin Baker’ (played by actor Slim Pickins) who was dying after sustaining gunshot wounds.
Dylan cameos in movie as the character ‘Alias.’
Due to worldwide copyright restrictions, I’m unable to present the audio hit single here. So in its place here’s a great performance video of the song by Dylan when he appeared on MTV‘s ‘Unplugged’ in 1995.
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EXTRA TRAKS!
Over the years there have been a number of great cover versions of Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door. Here are two of the best by Eric Clapton and hard rockers Guns N’ Roses.
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KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR
Eric Clapton
[1975]
“Slowhand” recorded his version two years after the Dylan original.
He based this reggae arrangement on a previous cover of KOHD by Arthur Louis, a Jamaican-born “steady beat” artist who helped launch the career of British musician-composer Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells).
Although released as a single, Clapton’s record failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100.
https://youtu.be/3qI8tC0jO_o
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KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR
Guns N’ Roses
(“Live” Wembley Stadium Version)
[1992]
Another excellent cover version of Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door is a “live” rendering by L.A.’s Guns N’ Roses in 1992 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Their performance was part of a tribute concert for the former lead singer of Queen, the late Freddie Mercury, who had died from AIDS.
Both lead singer Axel Rose and head axeman Slash are outstanding on this!
https://youtu.be/XyhsdNXsdPw
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MORE #JustHeardAtStarbucks®
EXPRESS YOURSELF / Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME / Aretha Franklin
BREAD AND BUTTER / The Newbeats
SOULFUL CHRISTMAS / James Brown
APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE / Jay And The Techniques
BLACK MAGIC WOMAN / Fleetwood Mac
HERE COMES MY BABY / Cat Stevens
TAKE FIVE / Dave Brubeck Quartet
WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER / Timmy Thomas & TIME IS TIGHT / Booker T. & The M.G.’s
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
