Columbia RecordsBob Dylan has released his first new original song in eight years, an almost-17-minute-long epic called “Murder Most Foul” that centers on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The mournful tune, which features Dylan accompanied by piano, violin and understated percussion, is available now as a digital download and via streaming services. You also can listen to it at Bob’s official YouTube channel.
Regarding the tune, Dylan posted a message on his official website that reads, “Greetings to my fans and followers with gratitude for all your support and loyalty over the years. This is an unreleased song we recorded a while back that you might find interesting. Stay safe, stay observant, and may God be with you.
“Murder Most Foul” not only recounts the violent murder, but seems to delve into the effect the Kennedy assassination has had on the American psyche. Throughout the tune, Dylan also mentions various other cultural events of the 1960s, included the emergence of The Beatles, and the Woodstock and Altamont festivals.
In addition, Bob namechecks a variety of celebrities, musicians and songs, among them The Who, Marilyn Monroe, Wolfman Jack, The Eagles‘ Don Henley and Glenn Frey, The Beach Boys‘ Carl Wilson, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel‘s “Only the Good Die Young,” Elvis Presley‘s “Mystery Train,” Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and many others.
In other news, Dylan has postponed a planned tour of Japan that was slated to kick off April 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The folk-rock legend is still scheduled to launch a U.S. trek on June 4 in Bend, Oregon.
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