Bob Dylan Responds To Coronavirus With Song About JFK Assassination

David Moye
·2-min read

Like many musicians, Bob Dylan responded to the coronavirus outbreak by releasing new music.

However, the legendary songwriter is probably the only artist whose new song is focused on the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

On Thursday night, Dylan released his first original tune in eight years ― “Murder Most Foul,” a 17-minute epic that focuses on the killing of Kennedy.

According to Dylan’s tweet, the song was recorded a while back, but Variety noted that could mean “a matter of months or many years.”

The song doesn’t sugarcoat things, mentioning that “they blew off his head while he was still in the car” in the first stanza.

Dylan also puts himself in Kennedy’s mind in some verses:

Riding in the backseat next to my wife / And it’s straight on into the afterlife / I’m leaning to the left I got my head in her lap …

But “Murder Most Foul” isn’t only about ― to quote Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” ― “JFK / Blown away / What else do I have to say?”

NPR noticed references to at least 73 other songs in the ballad. Slate pointed out hat tips to the Beatles, Stevie Nicks, Nat King Cole and even Queen.

Although many people are speculating the new song means a new Dylan album may be released soon, his people would not confirm anything to that effect, according to Variety.

Take a listen for yourself and let us know what you think in the comments.

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Little Drummer Boy

Bobby is on percussion in fifth grade music class (he's seated, at right).
Bobby is on percussion in fifth grade music class (he's seated, at right).

Dylan Hanging Out

Bob Dylan with Cher and Sonny Bono, L-R: Cher, Sonny Bono, and Bob Dylan.
Bob Dylan with Cher and Sonny Bono, L-R: Cher, Sonny Bono, and Bob Dylan.

Up To Baked Goods

Bob Dylan with friends. Woodstock town square, Woodstock, NY, 1968.
Bob Dylan with friends. Woodstock town square, Woodstock, NY, 1968.

They Got The Beat

Photo of Bob Dylan, at home with Allen Ginsberg.
Photo of Bob Dylan, at home with Allen Ginsberg.

Just Kids

Folk singers Joan Baez and Bob Dylan perform during a civil rights rally on August 28, 1963 in Washington D.C.
Folk singers Joan Baez and Bob Dylan perform during a civil rights rally on August 28, 1963 in Washington D.C.

Young Rocker

1958 portrait taken at home by his mom.
1958 portrait taken at home by his mom.

Biker Dylan

Bob and friend Dale Boutang with a Harley in Hibbing, MN (1956).
Bob and friend Dale Boutang with a Harley in Hibbing, MN (1956).

Group Sing

Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger in Greenwood, Mississippi (1962).
Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger in Greenwood, Mississippi (1962).

"The Times They Are A-Changin" Lyrics

A detail of folk singer Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics to his famous anthem "The Times They Are A-Changin" is seen at Sotheby's auction house on December 3, 2010 in New York City. The document is estimated to be worth between $200,000 and $300,000.
A detail of folk singer Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics to his famous anthem "The Times They Are A-Changin" is seen at Sotheby's auction house on December 3, 2010 in New York City. The document is estimated to be worth between $200,000 and $300,000.

Forever Young

Cover of the new book on Bob Dylan published by LIFE, with never-seen-before images of the iconic singer/songwriter.
Cover of the new book on Bob Dylan published by LIFE, with never-seen-before images of the iconic singer/songwriter.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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