Here Today... Gone To Hell!

20 years ago, this song was performed live at Freddies tribute...IMO legendary performance. No wonder it was used as a video and became a major (summer) hit that year.
I remember quite well that at some point, I disliked the song because it was just played too often! (on (m)TV, radio,..) ... But now, so many years later, I miss the way how GN'R played it! By coincidence, I saw the song today again, and what the hell!! The song is just brilliant, much better than the original version.....no discussion needed!!! OK,we can discuss about the 'hey hey hey hey heeeyyyy...', but let's face it, most people in the world became familiar with the song because of Guns! Hey(!  ;D), I even know some friends who became a GN'R fan because of the song!!

This summer, I saw Guns performing the song for the 3rd time (2006 - 2010 - 2012) in the 'new - more original - Dylan style', and...OK, no remarks on the musical quality...but somehow it is..yes, more boring. (IMO)
I miss the drive, energy, (rock n' roll) they brought back then with the UYI style of the song. Still don't get it why they changed it? Is there an article/interview with some reason behind? Just don't get it... I mean, 'Knocking On Heavens Door' in UYI style, I just miss it!!!! I really want to see it again (live) someday. Who else?

Just looked a bit and didn't find a thread about this topic so far, therefore I started one - bye

I really liked how they played it in 2002 and 2006. But for the past few days I found myself listening to the UYI version too

I love the stripped down version since it was 1st performed at the Vegas HOB show.

I love the Rock am Ring 2006 version a lot, I think that one rivals the Wembley version but I can't decide which one I like better.

Ok,  judging the responses... I have to conclude the original version is a personal thing...meaning I like more - no, I mean miss more - the UYI version. Nobody seems to 'bother' the new style.
Fair.

Although suprised
 ::)

 : ok: :peace:

"KOHD" is one of my favorites from the Illusion albums. 

I also thought the live version on the last tour didn't work--as a singalong anyway.

I'm with u man, new version sucks imho

I wouldn't say it sucks,this current version is nice but they should drop it for a few years.I don't think people would notice anymore if it's in the playlist or not..

I like the rendition they've been playing. It's cool when bands change things up, and I'm glad I got to hear it live.
That said, I do prefer the UYI version to it. I think my favorite though is the version they played in Argentina 1993.

I must admit KOHD is one of the only songs I prefer the original line ups performances of, I think that the Freddie tribute version is immense and I haven't heard the new band match that performance on this particular song. I do like the more subtle version that the new band do. I actually think its more to do with Axl that the band, cos they can play the shit out of the old songs. Have you heard Brownstone live in the last few years? My god it is immense!

All versions are great even Dylan's.


Agreed about Brownstone. It has never sounded better especially with that beautiful groove.

I like the new version better. The guys play the shit outta the guitars, specially Fortus!


Even Avril Lavigne's?  ;D

I'm a fan of the RIR 2001 version, that was beautiful.

Avrils was ok for what it was, a short acoustic cover.  I like it more than the Dylan one, but thats me, I don't like anything Dylan has done, not my style at all. 

I prefer the "Illusion" one to the current one or any of the live ones from the "Illusion" era for one simple reason, its short and sweet.  Like I said Im not a huge fan of the song to begin with and even less of a fan of it when you make it 12 minutes long with multiple reggae jams in it.

Holy shit dude forgot about Fortus' epicness!!!!! Definately the new version is the best.

Avril's version is alright   ;)

There's gotta be SOME Bob Dylan song out there you can dig!
He's got so much material.

In my opinion, greatest lyricist ever, with no close second. I know his voice turns a lot of people off.

I thought the only thing missing from his KOHD was it was too short, kind of an abrupt ending.
The Illusion version fixed that, making it feel more complete. Adding an epic solo never hurts.

I wasn't into the reggae versions either. Those could be a bit cringe worthy.

I've come to view this comparison between the styles as two different songs that you can't compare. The UYI style was really cool, but since 2001 it has totally changed for the better in my opinion. I loved the 2002 version because of it's stripped down essence but still having awesome solos. I especially love the Leeds 2002 version. In 2006 they stripped it down even more, and gave it more if an improvisational feel which I thought was awesome, Rock In Rio 2006 and Inland Invasion 2006 are standout versions. I too must admit that I'm not a huge fan of the 2010,11,12 version. But for a song that's been performed in so many ways it's understandable to like different versions more than others.

I don't understand you guys. The current version kick ass. "Ladies and gentlemen, have I mentioned Mr Richard Fortus?"   :peace:

for me i think its one of the weakest songs on the set list 09-present

Knockin' On Heavens Door is the reason I bought UYI II, which was my first GN'R album. It's even the first CD I ever bought! I still love the UYI version and, for me, no other version will ever compete! Thanks to that song / cover I got to know and love GN'R.

The best version was in 01/02.

I'd agree with that, Leeds 2002 was the best version I've heard, that said, when it is played, it's anybodies guess on how it is played, and O2 in 2010 was special too.

Have to agree here, also have to agree that Leeds 2002 is probably the best version I've ever heard, LOVED Axl's high screams in-between verses. In 2002, the song just seemed SO bluesy, but they stripped it down completely and Axl's high voice suited this song perfectly much like SOD.  ;)

Besides which version we prefer, was there something mentioned somewhere why the band (or Axl) decided to change the live performance of this song?
I don't recall something was said about it in some interview or so...

Best version ever was when Axl let me sing on it... :hihi:

RIR III 2001 - Axl: "Since this is a new band, and this is a timeless song, we would move a little closer to the original and do our own version of a song by Bob Dylan"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eU6cqH4C4U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eU6cqH4C4U)

Thanks for the link.
Ok, wish Axl changes his mind again and play it 'old school' GN'R style (personal preference).

This!!  : ok:

   3.freddy mercy show '92   2. RIO '01     and comin in @ num. 1......Rock AM Ring  '06

im for the ??oldschool?? one
my favorites paris 92 and chicago 92 (if you arent familiar with paris 93 version with brian may, look it up! : ok:)

I think they play the dylanesque version more when axl's vocals are not very good. It happened a few years ago, remember when axl's voice was shot? around 2001-2005....he got a lot of criticism for it, then somehow right around 2006 he got the rasp back and the pitch was awesome and he hit every single note right, and they went back to the old knocking on heavens door, which is great because I got to see them in 2006. And the rock am ring is probably the best kOHD version ever !

Now 6 years later... his voice is not so good again, its too high and almost no rasp...
that is why I believe they went back to the more boring version of KOHD, because Axl cannot quite hit the sing a long parts like in 2006...

I prefer 2002 version too.

I really like this '09 version, with the story at the start and the jokes in the middle   :peace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ejtD8NnTo

For me, 1992 version was and is the best, the stripped down version never had the same appeal for me....

IMO, this is the only good versi?n from the new era (2001 - 2012): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb8LkUnsCm0

I really like AFD era versions or UYI versions. My favorite from that era: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzcMHC_yuD8