Bob Dylan releases first new music in 8 years - a 17-minute ballad about the assassination of John F Kennedy

The legendary singer released the song along with a message to 'stay safe'

Bob Dylan surprised fans by releasing his first original music in eight years, a 17-minute ballad about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. AFP

Bob Dylan surprised fans this weekend by releasing his first original music in more than eight years, dropping a 17-minute ballad about the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Murder Most Foul retells the shooting of the US president and delves into the evolution of 1960s counterculture, backed by delicate piano, strings and muted drums.

Posting on his website, Dylan said, "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." The statement was posted along with a portrait of Kennedy.

Some of the song's lyrics include, “The soul of a nation been torn away, and it’s beginnin’ to go into a slow decay.”

Another part of the song takes the view point of Kennedy: "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."

The ballad also makes reference to The Beatles, Charlie Parker, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks and the Woodstock festival.

Dylan last released an album of original music in 2012 with Tempest, which featured a tribute to murdered Beatle John Lennon and a 14-minute song about the sinking of the Titanic.

At 78, Dylan has maintained a busy touring schedule, though he was forced to cancel a string of April dates in Japan over the coronavirus pandemic. He is still set to kick off a North American tour in June.