Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door Guitar Chords

“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a timeless song by Bob Dylan that has been covered by countless artists over the years.

Its simple yet powerful melody, combined with profound lyrics, has made it a favorite among both beginners and experienced guitarists. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the guitar chords for this iconic song. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

The Meaning Behind Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door:

“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.” The song is a stark, desolate ballad that has been interpreted as a resignation to impending death.

The lyrics, “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,” are sung from the perspective of a dying deputy, who feels he is nearing the end of his life, symbolized by the phrase “knockin’ on heaven’s door.”

The “badge” in the lyrics could be seen as a symbol of authority, responsibility, or identity, which the deputy feels he can no longer bear as he approaches death. The darkness he mentions could be a metaphor for the unknown of what comes after life, or simply the closing of his eyes for the final time.

“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a poignant reflection on mortality, surrender, and the transient nature of life. It’s a powerful piece that continues to resonate with listeners, reminding us of our own mortality and the inevitable passage of time.

Chords Used in This Song:

The song primarily uses four chords: G, D, Am, and C. Here’s how you can play these chords:

• G Major (G): 320003

• D Major (D): xx0232

• A Minor (Am): x02210

• C Major ©: x32010

Song Structure of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door:

The song structure of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan is quite straightforward and repetitive, which makes it a great song for beginners to learn. 

Here’s the basic structure:

Intro

The intro sets the tone for the song. It’s played as follows:

G D Am

G D C

Verse

The verse tells the story. Each verse is played as follows:

G D Am

Mama take this badge off of me

G D C

I can’t use it anymore

G D Am

It’s getting dark, too dark to see

G D C

I feel I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door

Chorus

The chorus is the heart of the song. It’s played as follows:

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

This pattern repeats throughout the song. The simplicity of the structure, along with the profound lyrics, has made “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” a timeless classic.

Step-By-Step Guide to Play Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door on Guitar

Here’s how you can play this song on Guitar:

Step 1: Get to Know the Chords

Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic chords used in the song: G, D, Am, and C. 

We would recommend practicing these chords and transitioning between them until you can switch smoothly, without any issues.

Step 2: Master the Strumming Pattern

Practice a simple down-strumming pattern to match the song’s rhythm. Focus on strumming evenly and in time with the song. 

As you progress, you can experiment with more complex strumming patterns.

Step 3: Learn the Intro

In the third step, it is recommended to get started with the introductory chords, which are:

G D Am

G D C

Practice playing these chords in sequence to capture the mood of the song’s intro. Pay attention to the timing and transitions between the chords.

Step 4: Practice the Verse

The next step is to practice the verse. To work on the verse chords and lyrics, you will need:

G D Am

Mama take this badge off of me

G D C

I can’t use it anymore

G D Am

It’s getting dark, too dark to see

G D C

I feel I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door

Strum the chords while singing along with the lyrics. Focus on the chord changes and the strumming pattern to match the song’s flow.

Step 5: Play the Chorus

Move on to the chorus section:

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

Practice strumming these chords while singing the chorus lyrics. Pay attention to the chord transitions and the dynamics of your strumming to capture the song’s emotion.

Step 6: Work on Your Timing and Rhythm

Focus on playing the song in its entirety, paying close attention to your timing and rhythm. 

Practice playing along with the original recording or a metronome to stay in sync with the song’s tempo.

Step 7: Fine-Tune Your Performance

Listen to your playing critically and identify areas that need improvement. 

Work on refining your chord transitions, strumming, and overall expression. Practice those specific parts until they sound smooth and polished.

Step 8: Practice Regularly and Have Fun

Consistent practice is the key to mastering any song. Set aside dedicated practice time, and don’t rush the process. 

Conclusion: 

“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a great song for beginners to learn because of its simple chord progression. It’s also a rewarding song for more experienced players to explore and add their own embellishments to. So grab your guitar, tune up, and start knockin’ on heaven’s door.

We hope that you liked this post, and enjoyed reading it. Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions or queries.