A number of critics had already turned on Dylan for the evangelism of his last two albums, but the reception for "Shot of Love" was particularly harsh. Despite lavishing praise on "Every Grain of Sand", Paul Nelson of "Rolling Stone" savaged the rest of the album. Nick Kent of "New Musical Express" called it "Dylan's worst album to date." Despite heavy touring in Europe and North America (in which all but two songs were performed), sales of "Shot of Love" were below CBS's expectations. Still, in an interview taken in 1983, Dylan would describe "Shot of Love" as a personal favorite.