The crucifix mask worn by Gail Ann Dorsey is the same mask worn in Nine Inch Nails' "1994 "Closer" music video. David Bowie & Nine Inch Nails toured together in 1995.
The music video for "Dead Man Walking" is one of the Bowie music videos of the 1990s to feature his live band. Guitarist Reeves Gabrels, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey and drummer Zachary Alford appeared in the video and had recorded the song in the studio. Pianist Mike Garson and guitarist/producer Mark Plati are missing from the video.
The guitar riff used in the intro dates back to the mid-1960s when Jimmy Page taught this to Bowie. Bowie later used it for his song "The Supermen" in 1970, and revived it 25 years later for "Dead Man Walking".
The music video heavily edits the length of the actual song by about 3 minutes, removing much of instrumental parts including a brief piano solo by Mike Garson at the very end.
Used as theme music for early episodes of MTV's Making The Video.