When “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” appeared in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, it was complemented by two fine actors, Katy Jurado and Slim Pickens. Pickens is facing imminent death—you can see his realization of this, and then his light beginning to fade, In Jurado, you see the love she carries for him. Surprisingly—maybe not—the tenderness of the scene was directed perfectly by Sam Peckinpah.

Avril Lavigne’s version, framed as an antiwar song, is incredible.

The “Playing for Change” people produced this Afro-influenced version, but the harmonica could’ve been Dylan’s own.

There’s not a version of this song I’ve heard that I dislike, including from The Dead, Guns ‘n’ Roses, another “Playing for Change” version, also Afro-influenced and at least one “America’s Got Talent” cover. This one, with Dylan and Tom Petty, kinda seethes. The background singers are miraculous.

It’s not a” “girl” song, you might say. But I give you Avril and this woman, Leire. Born in the Basque Country, she’s performing her version near Leicester Square, in London There’s a chance that her version is my favorite.. Wow.

And, to get off-topic, one more from Leire, this time from Pink Floyd.