Kris Kristofferson / 4:04
Musicians: Bob Dylan: vocals, guitar; Jack Sherman: guitar; Al Kooper: keyboards; Steve Douglas: saxophone; Steve Madaio: trumpet; Vito San Filippo: bass; Raymond Lee Pounds: drums; Carolyn Dennis, Madelyn Quebec, Muffy Hendrix, and Annette May Thomas: backup vocals; Damien Turnbough, Majason Bracey, Keysha Gwin, Crystal Pounds, Lara Firestone, Tiffany Wright, Chyna Wright, Angel Newell, Herbert Newell, Larry Mayhand, April Hendrix-Haberlan, Dewey B. Jones II, Medena Smith, Daina Smith, and Maia Smith: children’s chorus / Recording Studio: Topanga Skyline Studio, Topanga, California: May 5, 1986 (Overdubs May 7, 9, 12–14, 16, 23, 1986) / Producer: Sundog Productions / Sound Engineer: Britt Bacon
Kris Kristofferson wrote “They Killed Him” for his album Repossessed (1986). It targeted those who killed the spiritual leaders of our world, from Jesus Christ to Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and, on more political grounds, the Kennedy brothers. This tribute to Kristofferson’s heroes surely touched Dylan.
The ballad surprisingly veers toward dance-hall music. The instrumental arrangements are well done. The only distinguishing characteristic lies in the children’s chorus, which reinforces the message of tolerance. The mix of the brass instruments deserved more work; it gives the impression that it comes straight from a synthesizer.