Old Habits Die Hard

Album: Alfie Soundtrack (2004)
Charted: 45
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Songfacts®:

  • Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart wrote this for the movie Alfie, starring Jude Law as a Manhattan playboy confronted by the loneliness of his hedonistic lifestyle. Stewart, who is famous for his work with Eurythmics, wrote in The Dave Stewart Songbook: "The song reflects what was happening in Mick's life, while also speaking perfectly to the way Alfie was feeling at that moment in the film. Mick wrote these lyrics in the inner voice of Alfie, but also as a reflection of himself." (Read our interview with Dave Stewart.)
  • Along with the rest of the Alfie soundtrack, this was recorded at Abbey Road studios in London, where The Beatles recorded. Jude Law and Sienna Miller (who also starred in the film), stopped by and listened to the sessions. Some footage that Law shot on an 8mm camera made its way into the video.
  • This won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
  • Two versions appear on the soundtrack: one with just Jagger, and another where he is joined by Sheryl Crow. Stewart recorded a new version for the 2008 release of his book and accompanying CD.

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