Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Dylan has never shied away from evolving as an artist — but while he might be responsible for countless classic tunes, not all of his musical innovations have been popular with fans… even his personal favorites.
The most divisive period of Dylan’s career was, without question, the years that resulted in his religious-themed trilogy of albums beginning with 1979’s Slow Train Coming. Dylan was in an evangelical Christian phase at the time, and the material reflected his recent conversion. His devoted listeners, however, weren’t necessarily interested in hearing about the legendary musician’s new spiritual beliefs. Released in 1981, Shot of Love is considered to be the last of his “born-again” records, and only sold about 200,000 copies, per Far Out Magazine, but Dylan himself called the album his “favorite” at the time.
What did Bob Dylan say about ‘Shot of Love’?
“It’s different than the last,” Dylan said in a 1983 conversation with Martin Keller.
“It’s different than Saved and it’s different than Slow Train,” he continued. “It sounds old, but it’s new. I think this new album we did, for me, is the most explosive album I’ve ever done. Even going back to Blonde on Blonde or [The] Freewheelin’ [Bob Dylan] or any of those. Bringing It All Back Home or Highway 61 or wherever they were.”
“I think this one is for its time right now will be perceived the same way,” Dylan went on to say. “I may be totally wrong in saying that but I feel that same way about this album as I did about when we recorded Bringing It All Back Home. It was like the breakthrough point. It’s the kind of music I’ve been striving to make, and I believe that in time, people will see that.”
A few years later, Dylan reflected on the reception Shot of Love received during his interviews with Cameron Crowe for a booklet released with his Biograph box set.
“People didn’t listen to [Shot of Love] in a realistic way,” he said.
“Clydie King and I sound pretty close to what’s all the best of every traditional style, so how could anybody complain about that?” Dylan continued.
“And the record had something that, I don’t know, could have been made in the ’40s or maybe the ’50s,” he argued, adding, “There was a cross element of songs on it. The critics wouldn’t allow the people to make up their own minds. All they talked about was Jesus this and Jesus that, like it was some kind of Methodist record. I don’t know what was happening, maybe Boy George or something, but Shot of Love didn’t fit into the current formula. It probably never will. Anyway, people were always looking for some excuse to write me off and this was as good as any. I can’t say if being ‘non-commercial’ is a put-down or a compliment.”
Despite his apparent affinity for Shot of Love, Dylan’s next album, Infidels (1983), took yet another turn, this time away from religious themes. In the years since, some fans have come around to Shot of Love… while others would rather leave it firmly in the past.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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