NAME : NABILA VANYA QANITA

CLASS : XII MIPA 6

No. Dokumen 00
SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS (SMA)
No. Revisi 00
NEGERI 1 PEKANBARU
Tgl. Revisi 00
EXERCISE OF SONG

TASK I

1. Please find a song and create its analysis in essay which contains historical the songwriter,
background, year, any events that shaped its creation, figurative language, moral value and
conclusion about it.

Title of the song: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

The songwriter: Bob Dylan (1973), Guns N’ Roses (1991)

About Bob Dylan About Guns N’ Roses

Born Name  Axl Rose

 Duff McKagan
 Slash
 Dizzy Reed
 Richard Fortus
Born Name Robert Allen Zimmerman  Frank Ferrer
Birth Date May 24, 1941  Melissa Reese
Year’s Active 1961-Present Origin Los Angeles, Califoria, U.S
Genres  Folk Year’s Active 1985-Present
 Blues Genres Hard Rock & Heavy Metal
 Gospel
 Traditional Pop
 Country
 Rock
 Vocal Jazz
Year of publication:

 Bob Dylan's version was released in 1973 and became the soundtrack for the film “Pat
Garrett & Billy the Kid”
 Guns N 'Roses version was released in 1991 on their album "Use Your Illusion II"

Historical background of the song:

Tudy Wurlitzer was acquainted with Dylan and had asked him to compose a couple songs for
the Western movie Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid (1973). The track was recorded in February
1973 in Burbank Studios, California. Reportedly this song was written for soldiers who went to
war but were unable to return, or died on the battlefield. Or the remorse of the soldiers who
regretted killing people. If seen from the other side, this song can also tell about someone who
wants to commit suicide by shooting himself.

The meaning of the song:

This song is very much a statement against war. It’s written from the point of view of a soldier
who is on his death bed. Right as he is about to die, he seems to regret his life as a soldier.
Unlike the romanticized image of the soldier clutches his gun to his heart as he dies in the battle,
this particular soldier seems to reject those symbols of military war-his badge and his gun.

Any events that shaped its creation:

 Another reason this song was written is also because of a film called “Pat Garrett & Billy
the Kid”

Lyrics of the song:

Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

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, eh yeah
 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
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
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
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, wow oh yeah

Figurative languages:

1. Hyperbole
The obvious or intentional exaggeration from this song is when he states that
“I feel I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door…” which implies there is a heaven
He uses heaven in this case, as a religious statement. He clearly assumes in a dying moment
there is heaven’s door somewhere.

2. Metaphor
The metaphor used here in the following verse explains that he wants his mother to bury his
guns in the ground because he cannot us them anymore. “Mama put my guns in the ground,
I can't shoot them anymore…”. Meaning he wants his mother bury him, he is dying and
can’t shoot anymore. Also, he might want his guns buried with him in the afterlife

Conclusion:

“Here’s the thing with me and the religious thing. This is the flat-out truth: I find the religiosity
and philosophy in the music. I don’t find it anywhere else.” – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan suggests that only in his music can he find faithfulness and spirituality. Music to him
is something authentic, natural and perfect.
He is not expressing he is religious, but considering there might be a heavens door we may
knock one day.
Moral Value:

Through this song, Bob Dylan and Guns N’ Roses want to convey that every problem must be
faced, suicide is not a way out, it will only add to the wounds of the people around

TASK II

There is a place in your heart.

And I know that it is love. And
this place could be much
brighter than tomorrow.
And if you really try you’ll find
that there is no need to cry.
In this place, you’ll feel thereis
no hurt or sorrows.

Read the lyrics of the song above. Then, answer the following questions.

1. What does the title describe? What does the composer compare the world with?

Answer :

The title shows that the world is not in a good condition so we need to heal and save the
world for everyone regardless of their race so that the world can be a better place. The
composer compared the world with the little place in our heart that we call love.

2. How does the composer describe the world that we live in now? Mention some
phrases from the lyrics that can support your answer.

Answer :

The composer describes the world we live in is not in a good state, because of the
composer's hopes in the lyrics, he wants the world we live in to be brighter, the phrases is

“And this place could be much

brighter than tomorrow.”

3. What dream does the singer have about this world? Quote some phrases from the
lyrics.

Answer :

The dream that the singer has about this world is that he wants this world to be brighter
and more peaceful, with people loving and helping each other, a world in which all people are
happy.

“And this place could be much

brighter than tomorrow.

that there is no need to cry.”

4. How can the dream be realized? Show the lines that tells so.

Answer :

Dreams will come true if we really want them and try to find a way to make them come true.
The lines that tells so is :

“And if you really try you’ll find

that there is no need to cry.”

5. What is one thing that can solve problems in this world?

Answer :

The only thing that can solve problems in the world is love, as in the phrase :

“There is a place in your heart.

And I know that it is love.

And this place could be much

brighter than tomorrow.”
6. What do you understand about these lines: “make a little space make a better place …”

Answer :

Making a little space and making a better place (for others) can be in the form of giving
help, doing good deeds, or good intentions, and always creating a comfortable atmosphere
around us