That Ole Devil Called Love
Billie Holiday · Complete Masters 1933 - 1959 [2011]
Gets behind me and keeps giving me that shove again
Putting rain in my eyes
Tears in my dreams
And rocks in my heart
It's that sly ole-sun-of-a-gun again
He keeps telling me that I'm the lucky one again
But I still have that rain
Still have those tears
And those rocks in my heart
Suppose I didn't stay and ran away
Wouldn't play
That devil-what a potion he would brew
He'd follow me around
Build me up, tear me down
Till I'd be so bewildered
I wouldn't know what to do
Might as well give up the fight again
I know darn well he'll convince me
That he's right again
When he sings that siren song
I just gotta tag along
With that ole devil called love
He'd follow around
Build me up, tear me down
Till I'd be so bewildered
I wouldn't know what to do
That Ole Devil Called Love
Billie Holiday's haunting rendition of 'That Ole Devil Called Love' stands as a quintessential example of her mastery over the jazz and swing repertoire of the 1930s and 40s. Recorded for her Complete Masters collection, this track showcases her signature vocal technique, where she transforms a standard blues structure into a deeply personal narrative through subtle phrasing and emotional restraint. The song reflects the era's complex social dynamics regarding love and morality, delivered with a cool, detached intensity that became a hallmark of her artistry. As part of her extensive discography, this recording exemplifies how Holiday elevated existing compositions into timeless classics, influencing generations of vocalists who sought to prioritize mood and nuance over technical virtuosity.