Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playin in the PJ's
A product of the environment
Pour some liquor for those who passed away
I told my mom I'ma get up out of da hood
Mama
My dad taught me the American dream, baby
You can be anything that you wanna be
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mama, take these guns away from here
Mama, I can't shoot them anymore
Cease fire
I feel a dark cloud coming over
So poor, so dark
It feels like I'm knockin on the heaven's door
To Biggie Smalls and Tupac
Knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
Hip hop
To Freaky Ty and Big Heavy
Lost boy
Knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
Yeah
And to the Princess Aaliyah
We're knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
To my brother Big Pun
Terror Squad
We're knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
Oh Lord, Oh Lord
Would someone take these guns away from here
Take these guns from the street, Lord
I can't shoot my brothers anymore
I seen a thug cry
I feel a dark cloud coming over me
Over me
It feels like
It feels like I'm knockin on the heaven's door
So sing along street children
We're knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
And to my daddy that passed away
Rest in peace
Knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
To the god, Fred Jordan, we're
And put the Fugees on
Knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
To my people doin time
We're
Locked up
Knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
Crypts and Bloods, Latin peace
Please just chill wit the violence
Though even though I know that the bad boy move in silence
I'm asking y'all please chill wit the violence
Said even though I know that the gangsters move in silence
Whoa
We're knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
To my people in the Twin Tower
We're knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
And to my soldiers in the Pentagon
We're knock, knock, knockin on the heaven's door
New York
New York
New York
New York
New York
Mama
To my people in the streets
I'm talkin to you now
Please put down your heat
Oh Lord
To my brothers that's on the corner
Oh God
Ay get out quick or you too will be knockin on heaven's door
The lyrics of Wyclef Jean's song Knockin' on Heaven's Door express his empathy for people who have died, whether famous or unknown, and encourages people to come together to stop violence. The lyrics start with Wyclef's personal story of growing up in the projects and how he wanted to break out of poverty by pursuing the American Dream. He reminisces on his father teaching him that he can become anything he wants, and how he decided to be a musician.
The chorus of the song speaks about the dark cloud of violence and death hanging over the world. Wyclef wants to take guns away from the streets, so people don't have to shoot each other anymore. He mentions many famous people who died tragically and how their deaths made him feel like he was knocking on heaven's door. He encourages people to come together and stop violence, regardless of their race, religion, or gang affiliation.
Overall, the song is a call for peace and unity, and for everyone to acknowledge that life is fragile and to appreciate it while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember playin my guitar in the projects
I have memories of playing music in the projects, a reflection of my upbringing.
Pour some liquor for those who passed away
Let's honor those who have died with some alcohol, as is often done in my community in remembrance.
You can be anything that you wanna be
My father taught me the American Dream- the idea that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve their goals.
Would someone take these guns away from here
I am pleading for someone to take guns away from this area, as violence has caused too much damage.
I seen a thug cry
I have witnessed even the toughest individuals show emotions in the face of violence and pain.
It feels like I'm knockin on the heaven's door
The overwhelming sense of sadness and despair feels like I am almost at the end of my life, standing at heaven's door.
To the god, Fred Jordan, we're
I am addressing the late Fred Jordan, a well-known entrepreneur and activist, and acknowledging his impact on my life and community.
Please put down your heat
I am begging my brothers on the street to stop using weapons and causing harm to themselves and others.
Ay get out quick or you too will be knockin on heaven's door
I am urging those still on the streets to leave and avoid the danger that could ultimately lead them to their death.
Contributed by Carson H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Willington Raphael
In 2022 it’s still 🔥🔥 this music ,thank you Wyclef 🇭🇹
Don Koo
You know when a song is really amazing when you have goosebumps throughout the entire song. This is the best cover!
Ifeoma Nwaru
I just love and love Wyclef over and over again!
James Super-J
I bet only a few will understand how deep/real this song is.
TACOYO
The best Dylan cover I have ever heard thanks to awesome Wyclef Jean!
Travis Jayce
100% truth
Nkya
i love this version...especially the way he's saying knock knock on (a) heavens door...
Karlovacka74
hangover cure: drive around the city windows all down with this tune - knock knock - and heavenly cure. .. pure bliss. Blast it 10.
mweezy
Wyclef should have came out with a music video for this song because it's freakin' awesome.
Debbie Krueger
One of my favorite songs of all time