Simple Twist of Fate

[2] Dylan has continually revised the lyrics in live performance over the decades (through to its most recent outings in 2024 on the Never Ending Tour).

An article accompanying the list calls it a look "at an idyllic relationship that fell apart for reasons neither party can control" from the point-of-view of a narrator who "has moved on to meaningless one-night stands".

In an article accompanying the list, critic notes that it "could easily be a short story" and praises the poetic detail of the lyrics: "The world feels real, immersive, and it is filled with rich details—the 'neon burning bright', the saxophone and the 'ticking of the clocks'.

[5] A 2021 article in the Irish Independent named it one of the "all-time top 10 tracks by Bob Dylan", summarizing it as "a man's life in a song".

[9] Musicians Technical The complete recording sessions of "Simple Twist of Fate", consisting of eight takes of the song, were released on the deluxe edition of The Bootleg Series Vol.

[3] Dylan's November 20, 1975 live performance of the song from the Rolling Thunder Revue tour was released on The Bootleg Series Vol.

An unorthodox rendition at a mahjong parlor on October 28, 1975, was also included in the box set, as well as in the film Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (2019).

[11] "Simple Twist of Fate" has been covered and reinterpreted by several artists: first covered by Joan Baez on Diamonds & Rust (1975); by the Jerry Garcia Band on their 2-disc live album Jerry Garcia Band (1991) and on Run for the Roses (1982) (bonus track on 2004 rerelease); by Concrete Blonde on their Still in Hollywood (1994) collection; by Sean Costello on his self-titled album (2005); by The Format on Listen to Bob Dylan: A Tribute (2005); by Bryan Ferry on Dylanesque (2007); by Jeff Tweedy (with altered lyrics taken from a live Dylan performance) on the soundtrack for the film I'm Not There (2007); by Stephen Fretwell on Man On the Roof (2007) as a bonus track; by Sarah Jarosz on Build Me Up From Bones (2013); by Diana Krall on the 2012 charity tribute to Dylan Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International; and by Emma Swift on her 2020 album Blonde on the Tracks.

Dylan (left) with Alan Ginsberg on November 2, 1975, a few days before Dylan debuted Simple Twist of Fate in concert.
Bob Dylan's performed the song on November 2, 2021, in Milwaukee. Dylan is at the centre of the picture, playing the upright piano, in this picture from the show.