Rock

Knocking on Heavens Door Chords

Guns N' Roses Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · D · Am · C

Knocking on Heavens Door Chords – Guitar

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

G, D, Am, and C. The GnR version adds more intensity to Dylan’s original.

2

Build intensity

Start gentle on the verse, then build to a powerful strum on the chorus.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

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 like I’m knockin on heaven’s door.

Chorus

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

You need 4 Beginner-friendly chords: G, D, Am and C.

Is "Knocking on Heavens Door" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated Beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Knocking on Heavens Door" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

It was written by Guns N' Roses.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · D · Am · C

Knocking on Heavens Door Chords – Ukulele

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

G, D, Am, and C. The GnR version adds more intensity to Dylan’s original.

2

Build intensity

Start gentle on the verse, then build to a powerful strum on the chorus.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

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 like I’m knockin on heaven’s door.

Chorus

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

You need 4 Beginner-friendly chords: G, D, Am and C.

Is "Knocking on Heavens Door" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated Beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Knocking on Heavens Door" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

It was written by Guns N' Roses.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · D · Am · C

Knocking on Heavens Door Chords – Piano

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

G, D, Am, and C. The GnR version adds more intensity to Dylan’s original.

2

Build intensity

Start gentle on the verse, then build to a powerful strum on the chorus.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

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 like I’m knockin on heaven’s door.

Chorus

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

You need 4 Beginner-friendly chords: G, D, Am and C.

Is "Knocking on Heavens Door" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated Beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Knocking on Heavens Door" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

It was written by Guns N' Roses.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · D · Am · C

Knocking on Heavens Door Chords – Banjo

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

G, D, Am, and C. The GnR version adds more intensity to Dylan’s original.

2

Build intensity

Start gentle on the verse, then build to a powerful strum on the chorus.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

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 like I’m knockin on heaven’s door.

Chorus

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

You need 4 Beginner-friendly chords: G, D, Am and C.

Is "Knocking on Heavens Door" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated Beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Knocking on Heavens Door" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

It was written by Guns N' Roses.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · D · Am · C

Knocking on Heavens Door Chords – Mandolin

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

G, D, Am, and C. The GnR version adds more intensity to Dylan’s original.

2

Build intensity

Start gentle on the verse, then build to a powerful strum on the chorus.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

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 like I’m knockin on heaven’s door.

Chorus

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

You need 4 Beginner-friendly chords: G, D, Am and C.

Is "Knocking on Heavens Door" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated Beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Knocking on Heavens Door" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

It was written by Guns N' Roses.

Gtap to play

Dtap to play

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · D · Am · C

Knocking on Heavens Door Chords – Harmonica

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Four open chords

G, D, Am, and C. The GnR version adds more intensity to Dylan’s original.

2

Build intensity

Start gentle on the verse, then build to a powerful strum on the chorus.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

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 like I’m knockin on heaven’s door.

Chorus

G D Am

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

G D C

Knock, knock, knockin on heaven’s door.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

You need 4 Beginner-friendly chords: G, D, Am and C.

Is "Knocking on Heavens Door" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated Beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Knocking on Heavens Door" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Knocking on Heavens Door"?

It was written by Guns N' Roses.