[pissant]

Very true. I think it was the shock of it at the time. But just as shocking was Infidels in 1983. Man of Peace is one of his best, IMO.

He's a great Humanitarian
He's a great philanthropist
He knows just where to touch you
And how you liked to be kissed
He puts both his arms around you
and you feel the tender touch of the beast
You know sometimes Satan, comes as a man of Peace.

[Mr. Mojo]

The amazing thing about Infidels is that Bob chose not to include the best material from those recording sessions on the album itself! (They were released 8 years later on the Bootleg Series). The songs I'm referring to, of course, are "Blind Willie McTell", "Lord Protect my Child," and "Foot of Pride." If those tunes were included I'd put Infidels as Dylan's best.