"Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid" is Bob Dylan's twelfth studio album and his first soundtrack album, released on July 13, 1973, by Columbia Records to accompany the Sam Peckinpah film of the same name. Dylan also had a cameo appearance in the film, portraying the character "Alias". The soundtrack primarily features instrumental music that was inspired by the movie itself.
The album is notable for its iconic track "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", which became a significant hit, reaching the Top 20 charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The song has since become one of Dylan's most recognizable and enduring compositions.
"Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid" achieved commercial success, certified gold by the RIAA, and peaked at No. 16 on the US charts and No. 29 in the UK. The album remains a pivotal entry in Dylan's discography, blending his distinctive musical style with the cinematic atmosphere of the Western genre.
