Shot of Love is Bob Dylan's twentieth studio album, released on August 12, 1981. It is the third and final album of his 'Christian trilogy', following Slow Train Coming (1979) and Saved (1980). Although it maintains religious themes, the album shows a mix of styles, including rock, reggae, and ballads, and marks a transition toward a more secular sound.
The recording sessions took place in Los Angeles and New York, with production shared between Dylan, Chuck Plotkin, and Bumps Blackwell. The album features contributions from musicians such as guitarist Steve Ripley, drummer Jim Keltner, and keyboardist Benmont Tench. The song 'Every Grain of Sand' is considered one of Dylan's finest compositions from the era, and the album reached number 33 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Critical reception was mixed, with some critics noting the album's inconsistency but praising individual songs like 'Every Grain of Sand' and 'Shot of Love'. Over time, Shot of Love has been viewed as a transitional album that closes Dylan's Christian period, and it has gained some recognition for its musical experimentation and lyrical depth.