"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.
With Yazoo/Yaz | |
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Studio albums | |
Compilation albums | |
Live releases | |
Singles |
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Other related articles |