Battle of the Bands (BOTB): “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”

“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is one of my favorite songs. It was written and sung by Bob Dylan, for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Released as a single, it reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Described by Dylan biographer Clinton Heylin as “an exercise in splendid simplicity,” the song, measured simply in terms of the number of other artists who have covered it, is one of Dylan’s most popular post-1960s compositions.

Here is Bob Dylan’s original (and movie) version. This version is NOT part of the battle. Just wanted you to hear the original in case you’re not already familiar with it.

 

Today I’ll be pitting Arthur Louis, who does a neat Reggae version, against Brazillian singer Ze Ramalho. Give a listen and let us know which version you prefer:

Arthur Louis – (21 June 1945 – 24 December 2014) was a rock, blues and reggae cross-over musician. His surname is pronounced as luːɪs (Lewis) and he held British nationality. He recorded a version of the song in his signature reggae cross-over style. Louis’s arrangement was released as a single in July 1975.

 

Zé Ramalho – The Brazilian singer and composer Zé Ramalho released a Portuguese version of Dylan’s song called “Batendo na Porta do Céu” in his 1997 album Antologia Acústica (Acoustic Anthology).

 

TIME TO VOTE! Which one did you like and why??

And when you’re done voting, please visit these other BOTB participants and check out their cool battles:

• Far Away Series
• Stephen T. McCarthy’s Battle of the Bands Blog
• Tossing it Out
• This Belle Rocks
• Mike’s Ramblings
• Curious as a Cathy 
• Book Lover
• The Sound of One Hand Typing
• dcrelief ~ Battle of the Bands 
• Shady Dell Music & Memories
• Cherdo on the Flipside 
• THE DOGLADY’S DEN 
• Jingle Jangle Jungle 
• WOMEN: We Shall Overcome
• Alex J. Cavanaugh (occasionally)
• J.A. Scott
• Novel Brews
• Holli’s Hoots and Hollers
• Quiet Laughter