Guns N' Roses first recorded their version of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" in 1990. Recorded for the soundtrack to the movie 'Days of Thunder' featuring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. It's the same version that was released on Use Your Illusion II . The voiceovers on the second verse were taken off the album version. The song was a hit and became one of Guns N' Roses' most well-known covers.
When Guns N' Roses decided to cover "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," they knew they had big shoes to fill. Dylan's original version is considered a classic and is loved by fans around the world. But Axl Rose and the Gunners were up to do it, they've already been playing it live for years. However, They took the song and made it their own, infusing it with their rock riffs and Axl's snarly vocals.
The Guns N' Roses version of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" starts out with a guitar riff that immediately sets the tone. Axl Rose's vocals are powerful, snarly and emotional, and he sings the lyrics with a sense of urgency and passion. The rest of the band kicks in and the song builds to a powerful crescendo. Slash's guitar solos add an extra layer of intensity.
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Additionally, one of the things that make the Guns N' Roses cover great is how they took a classic song and made it sound like it was an original. They didn't copy Dylan's version note for note. Instead, they put their Gunners stamp on the song and made something new.
The cover was a commercial and critical success. It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance. It's been featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the years, and it's still a fan favourite to this day.
In conclusion, Guns N' Roses' cover of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a great example of how a great song can be reinterpreted and made new by a different artist. The band's unique energy and style breathed new life into the song. It continues to be a beloved classic to this day. Whether you're a fan of Dylan, Guns N' Roses, or both, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song that will stand the test of time. Rock on.