Guns N’ Roses (GNR) is an American hard rock band whose dangerous reputation, controversial front man, and technical prowess have made them one of the most popular and acclaimed rock n’ roll bands of all time. The band’s defiant 1987 major label debut, Appetite for Destruction, gained them worldwide popularity while their 1991 second major effort, the simultaneous releases of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, and subsequent tour cemented the band’s place as a heavily influential member of rock and roll history.

Guns N’ Roses helped usher in a new era in the hard rock genre. Hair metal dominated the airwaves in the late 1980s, but GNR’s new musical style and onstage behavior created a new kind of movement within the music industry, as they offered a grittier, more traditionalist take on rock n’ roll, winning over many fans who appreciated their authenticity. The band obtained an enormous amount of success during the period of 1987-1993, but the personalities of different band members, coupled with their heavy drug abuse and the controversial actions of frontman Axl Rose, hindered the group’s ability to work together. Rose is currently the only original member still in the band.

Mama take this badge from me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark too dark to see
Feels like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door

Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door

Mama put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That cold black cloud is comin’ down
Feels like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door

Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door

”YOU JUST BETTER START SNIFFIN’ YOUR OWN
RANK SUBJUGATION JACK ’CAUSE IT’S JUST
YOU AGAINST YOUR TATTERED LIBIDO, THE BANK
AND THE MORTICIAN, FOREVER MAN AND IT
WOULDN’T BE LUCK IF YOU COULD GET OUT OF
LIFE ALIVE”

Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door