"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 chart in New Zealand for three weeks [3] and reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. [2] [4]
"That Ole Devil Called Love" | ||||
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Single by Alison Moyet | ||||
B-side | "Don't Burn Down the Bridge" | |||
Released | 8 March 1985 [5] | |||
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. [6] A music video was filmed to promote the single, which was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton. [7]
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. [8] 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." [9]
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". [10] 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!" [11]
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia ( Kent Music Report) [12] | 46 |
Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders) [13] | 10 |
Europe ( European Top 100 Singles) [14] | 36 |
Ireland ( IRMA) [15] | 2 |
Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40) [16] | 6 |
Netherlands ( Single Top 100) [17] | 5 |
New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ) [18] | 1 |
Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade) [19] | 21 |
UK Singles ( OCC) [20] | 2 |
West Germany ( Official German Charts) [21] | 29 |
Chart (1985) | Position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [22] | 90 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [23] | 51 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [24] | 61 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [25] | 8 |
UK Singles (OCC) [26] | 42 |
Other artists who have recorded the song include Tony Bennett, [1] Ella Fitzgerald, Diane Schuur, [27] Jeri Southern and Susannah McCorkle.