Dylan is backed on the recording by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and a group of background singers including Stevie Nicks.

[1] The lyrics of the song emphasize the central theme of the movie: the ruthlessness of the vigilante justice that will be used to confront the immorality of the criminal drug world.

Although the lyrics posted on Dylan's official website indicate that the refrain for the song consists of the title, "band of the hand," repeated four times in succession, the chorus that is sung on the recording is clearly "It's hell time, man," which is given as the subtitle of the song.

[2] Cash Box said "Great gospel background vocals and tight-but-loose production make this a real send up.

Both singles were backed on the B-side by "Joe's Death," an instrumental from the Michael Rubini soundtrack to the film.