That Ole Devil Called Love
"That Ole Devil Called Love" is a song written in 1944 by Allan Roberts and Doris Fisher. It was first recorded by Billie Holiday, who released it as the B-side of her hit "Lover Man" in 1945.[1][2]
In 1985, the song was recorded by Alison Moyet, whose version, produced by Pete Wingfield, topped the New Zealand RIANZ chart for 3 weeks[3] and reached number 2 on the UK singles chart.[2][4]
Alison Moyet version
"That Ole Devil Called Love" | ||||
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Single by Alison Moyet | ||||
B-side | "Don't Burn Down the Bridge" | |||
Released | 1985 | |||
Format | 7", 12" | |||
Genre | Pop, jazz | |||
Length | 3:05 | |||
Label | CBS | |||
Songwriter(s) | Allan Roberts, Doris Fisher | |||
Producer(s) | Pete Wingfield | |||
Alison Moyet singles chronology | ||||
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In 1985, Alison Moyet released her own version of the song as a non-album single. It reached No. 2 in the UK and remained in the charts for ten weeks.[5] A music video was filmed to promote the single, which was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton.[6]
Moyet's version was recorded following the success of her debut album Alf. When CBS suggested releasing a fourth single from the album, Moyet spoke against the idea and suggested she record a cover of "That Ole Devil Called Love" in order to give fans something new.[7] Speaking to the BBC in 2004, Moyet commented on the song: "After my versions of "That Ole Devil Called Love" and "Love Letters" did well, there was definite pressure for me to become some sort of jazz diva."[8]
Reception
Upon release, Marshall O'Leary of Smash Hits did not consider the song to be "one of [her] favourites" but described it as a "smoochy number" and "one to play while you're with your loved one".[9] Peter Trollope of the Liverpool Echo commented: "[Moyet] gets the blues and coaxes it into another smash single that has the look of a number one about it!"[10]
Other Versions
- Other artists who have recorded the song include Tony Bennett,[1] Ella Fitzgerald and Diane Schuur.[18], Jeri Southern and Susannah McCorkle.
References
- "That Ole Devil Called Love" at SecondhandSongs.com. Retrieved 6 May 2014
- "Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love", Music and Meaning: The RBHS Jukebox, 18 September 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2014
- Charts.nz
- Betts, Graham (2004). Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004 (1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 538. ISBN 0-00-717931-6.
- "Alison Moyet; full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- "Billboard - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. 1985-04-06. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- Alison Moyet - Alf - 2016 deluxe edition CD booklet liner notes
- Bishop, Tom (2004-09-06). "Entertainment | Alison Moyet frees her voice". BBC News. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- O'Leary, Marshall (14 March 1985). "Singles". Smash Hits.
- Trollope, Peter (9 March 1985). "Pop File: Singles". Liverpool Echo.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5.
- "Alison Moyet - That Ole Devil Called Love". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - That Ole Devil Called Love". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - That Ole Devil Called Love". germancharts.de. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Group. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- Steffen Hung. "charts.nz - Alison Moyet - That Ole Devil Called Love". Charts.nz. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - That Ole Devil Called Love". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- "That Ole Devil Called Love" search at ASCAP. Retrieved 6 May 2014