Bob Dylan Releases 17-Minute Song ‘Murder Most Foul’

Bob Dylan shared “Murder Most Foul,” a song spanning nearly 17 minutes that the legendary artist “recorded a while back.” Dylan namechecks figures from the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy within its lyrics and used a photo of JFK as the graphic for “Murder Most Foul.”

While the music on “Murder Most Foul” is soothing and features graceful strings, delicate piano and Bob at his best vocally, the song’s words cover grim territory. “It was a dark day in Dallas, November ’63,” begins Dylan. “A day that will live on in infamy, President Kennedy was a-ridin’ high, Good day to be livin’ and a good day to die.” Dylan goes on to reference Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jackie Kennedy and President Lyndon Johnson, yet that’s only the start. He goes on to namecheck a bevy of musicians from the ’60s and such events from the decade as “Woodstock” over the course of the sprawling tune.

Read a note signed by Dylan accompanying “Murder Most Foul”:

Greetings to my fans and followers with gratitude for all your support and loyalty across 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.

Stream “Murder Most Foul” below: