Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 9, 2016 is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Composer Doris Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” She often wrote with Allan Roberts. She was also a talented singer and performer. Other of her songs include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in 1997 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. It’s a really remarkable album, consisting of Bennett singing songs made famous by Bille Holiday. I do believe that he gets to the heart of Billie as a jazz singer.

No, there’s no underlying theme of featuring two songs in a row with the word “devil” in the title. Other than they’re both really great songs with exceptional recordings.

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

And here’s Billie Holiday’s version from 1945. It’s worth listening to both versions if you have the time. There are lot of people that try to sing like Billie. Bennett goes into that deeper place that is way beyond “sounding like Billie.”