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" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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]
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".[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]
Charts
Weekly charts
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 (GfK)[21] | 29 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1987) | 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 Versions
Other artists who have recorded the song include Tony Bennett,[1] Ella Fitzgerald, Diane Schuur,[27] Jeri Southern and Susannah McCorkle.
References
- ^ a b "That Ole Devil Called Love" at SecondhandSongs.com. Retrieved 6 May 2014
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ Cross, Diane (9 March 1985). "News". Record Mirror. p. 4.
- ^ "Alison Moyet; full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
- ^ "Billboard - Google Books". 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 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5.
- ^ "Alison Moyet – That Ole Devil Called Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. 1 April 1985. p. 10. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – That Ole Devil Called Love". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alison Moyet" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Alison Moyet – That Ole Devil Called Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "Alison Moyet – That Ole Devil Called Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "Alison Moyet – That Ole Devil Called Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "Alison Moyet: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alison Moyet – That Ole Devil Called Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1985". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London. 18 January 1986. p. 10. ISSN 0265-1548.
- ^ "That Ole Devil Called Love" search at ASCAP. Retrieved 6 May 2014