He rose to fame in the mid-1960s, with an exuberant live act which included wearing tight breeches and billowing shirts, in an Edwardian style popular amongst his peers at the time. He was known for his overt sexuality, before this was as common as it became in subsequent years.
In 1963 he became the frontman for Tommy Scott and the Senators, a local beat group. Clad all in black leather, Tom soon gained a reputation in the South Wales area. The Senators were still all unheard of in London.
In 1964 they laid down a few tracks with maverick Telstar producer Joe Meek, and took them to various labels in an attempt to get a record deal. The plan was to release a single, Lonely Joe / I Was A Fool, but the ever-flighty Meek refused to release the tapes. The group returned to South Wales and continued to play gigs at dance halls and working mens clubs. One night, at the Top Hat in Cwmtillery, Tom was spotted by Gordon Mills, a London-based manager originally from South Wales. Mills became Tom's manager, and took the young singer to London. He also renamed him Tom Jones. The Senators became the Playboys, and later still the Squires.
Jones was awarded the Grammy Award for Best New Artist for 1965. It's Not Unusual, after the song having first been offered to Sandie Shaw. Jones recorded what was intended to be a demo for Shaw, but when she heard it she was so impressed with Jones' delivery that she declined the song and recommended that Jones release it himself. The record was the second Decca single Jones released, reaching number one in the UK charts in 1965. It was also the first hit for Jones in the US, peaking at #10 in May of that year. The single was released in the US on the Parrot label and also reached #3 on Billboard's easy listening chart. Jones used this song as the theme for his late 1960s-early 1970s musical variety series This Is Tom Jones. It has since become Jones' signature song.
In 1965 Tom sang the theme tune to the James Bond film Thunderball.
Jones' recording career slumped on the pop charts during the 1970s and 80s, although he placed 16 singles on the Billboard Country Music charts between 1976 and 1985, the biggest of which was "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" (# 1 Country, # 15 pop) in 1977, and his touring continued successfully. When his son Mark became his manager in 1987, his musical style was taken in a different direction. His recording career was revived with his first major hit single in over a decade, "A Boy From Nowhere", taken from the musical Matador. In 1988 he collaborated with The Art of Noise to record Prince's popular song "Kiss". Following this, he started to record in collaboration with a younger generation of musicians
His Reload album, released in 2000, became the biggest hit of his career. An album of cover versions recorded as duets with contemporary artists, using their record producers, and utilising their recording methods, it reached number one in the United Kingdom, and sold over 4 million copies worldwide.[1] In 2002, he released the album Mr. Jones, which was produced by Wyclef Jean and included the singles "Tom Jones International" and "Black Betty". In 2003, he was honored with a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004, his "Sex Bomb" single became a major club hit.
On New Year's Eve 2000 President Bill Clinton invited Tom to perform at the Millennium Celebrations in Washington. Throughout 2000, Tom garnered several honours for his work, including a Brit Award for Best Male. In 2001 Tom toured throughout the Middle East and Europe. In subsequent years Tom recorded albums in collaboration with such artists as Wyclef Jean and Jools Holland.
In celebration of his 65th birthday, on 28 May 2005 Tom returned to his homeland to perform a spectacular concert in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd. This was Tom's first performance in Ponty since 1964.
For his contribution to the recording industry, Tom Jones has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6608 Hollywood Blvd.
In 2005 the album Together In Concert, was recorded live with John Farnham and his band.
He has collaborated with Chicane for "Stoned in Love", a dance track that was released 24 April 2006. It entered at number eight in the UK charts the following Sunday.
In 2007, he signed to New York-based independent label S-Curve, owned by music executive Steve Greenberg.
The singer was awarded an OBE in 1999 and a Knight Bachelor in the 2006 New Years Honours list for his services to music and was subsequently knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London on 29 March 2006.[7]
On 1 July 2007, Jones was one of the invited artists who performed at Wembley Stadium at the Concert for Diana, joined on stage by guitarist Joe Perry of Aerosmith and British soul singer Joss Stone. He sang the British National Anthem before Ricky Hatton's fight against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas on 8 December 2007. On 19 April 2008 he sang the Welsh National Anthem at the Calzaghe-Hopkins fight in Las Vegas.
Although his manager and public relations staff have attempted to change his sex-bomb image and neutralize the knicker-throwing fans, to the delight of his audiences Jones has never felt the need to tone down his behavior in the shows. Tom Jones has remained highly respected by other singers and continues to attract audiences of all ages. As of 2008, Jones continues to tour and record. A major portion of the year he regularly performs his show at the MGM Grand hotel, located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, USA. His show at the MGM is performed in a cabaret-style theater. Other venues on his yearly schedule include numerous shows at Atlantic City, NJ and appearances in the USA, United Kingdom and Canada. In February 2007, Jones made a long-awaited South American tour.
On 17 September 2008, Jones announced the release of his retro-tinged album "24 Hours" on S-Curve Records, his first for 15 years in the US; notably, this is the first record in which he's had a direct song-writing input. It was produced largely by drum'n'bass stalwarts Future Cut.
"It's all very well just singing songs," says Jones, "but for this record I really wanted to get properly personal. I've been getting reflective recently, looking over my journey through life, and I wanted to get that down on song. This time I wanted to make something that was all about me, my stories, my life. In other words, you listen to this album and you get the real me."
A Boy From Nowhere
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My search for gold is leading nowhere
Whichever lonely road I take
It seems to go nowhere
It's a fight to survive just until tomorrow
How can I display what I know I'm worthy of
When they turn me away
A boy from nowhere
But not to those who merely buy the right to go where
They'll be met with respect, not humiliation
A man's place on earth
I have come to realize is decided by birth
So what's the future
No matter where I go
I will still belong in Andalusia
Where we don't know where
The next penny's coming from
Something's wrong
I'm bound to Spain, I won't remain
A boy from nowhere
There has to be a place for me
And I must go there
I don't fantasize, unlike a million others
Who must bow and scrape
For my one means of escape
Is to flourish a cape
I'll fight all odds
And fight the Gods if they oppose me
I have to win, I won't give in
No one who knows me would expect me to fail
For the want of trying
Not a man alive
Had to beg or steal or fight
More than me to survive
So what's the future
No matter where I go
I will still belong in Andalusia
Where good, honest men grow weak
And the rich grow strong
Something's wrong
Another dawn, another boy
A boy from nowhere
My destiny will guarantee
And I must go there
It's a fight to survive just until tomorrow
One more mouth to feed
And the way things are 'round here
That's the last thing they need
The song "A Boy From Nowhere" by Tom Jones talks about the struggles of a person who comes from nowhere, who is searching for something and is not able to find it. The first verse of the song describes how the person's search for gold is leading nowhere, and how whichever lonely road they take it seems to lead nowhere. The person is fighting to survive just until tomorrow and they wonder how they can display what they know they're worthy of when they are turned away. The doors are closed to such as they are- a boy from nowhere- and they realize that a man's place on earth is decided by birth.
The lyrics convey the feeling of being stuck and hopeless in a world where everything seems to be determined by birth and money. The person in the song talks about their desire to escape, to find a place where they belong. The song highlights the unfairness of the world, how some people can buy their way through life while others have to fight for survival. The song ends with the person realizing that they have to fight all odds and fight the "Gods" if they oppose them. They are determined to win and will not give up, despite the challenges they face.
Line by Line Meaning
The nights grow cold
Times are tough and life is difficult.
My search for gold is leading nowhere
My pursuit of success is not yielding any results.
Whichever lonely road I take
No matter what path I choose, I always end up alone.
It seems to go nowhere
Nothing I do leads to any progress, advancement, or success.
It's a fight to survive just until tomorrow
Survival is difficult and a constant struggle every day.
How can I display what I know I'm worthy of
How can I show the world my talents, skills, and abilities that I know I possess?
When they turn me away
When others reject or dismiss me.
The doors are closed to such as I
People like me are not welcome or accepted in certain places or situations.
A boy from nowhere
An individual who comes from an unknown or unimportant place with low social status.
But not to those who merely buy the right to go where
However, those with money and power can access and enter any place they desire.
They'll be met with respect, not humiliation
They will not receive scorn or contempt, but rather admiration and regard.
A man's place on earth
A person's social status, wealth, and privilege define their position in society.
I have come to realize is decided by birth
One's social status and opportunities are predetermined by their family and circumstances of birth.
So what's the future
What lies ahead for me?
No matter where I go
Regardless of where I travel or live.
I will still belong in Andalusia
My true home and identity will always be with my roots and culture.
Where we don't know where
We may not know our destination or path to get there, but we have a sense of purpose.
The next penny's coming from
We are unsure of where our next source of income or livelihood will come from.
Something's wrong
Something is not right or does not feel fair or just.
I'm bound to Spain, I won't remain
I am tied to my homeland, but I will not stay confined to it.
There has to be a place for me
I believe there is a place in this world where I will belong and be accepted.
And I must go there
I feel that it is my duty or fate to find that place where I truly belong.
I don't fantasize, unlike a million others
I do not have unrealistic or idealistic dreams like others do.
Who must bow and scrape
Those with less privilege or status must show respect and submission to those with more power and control.
For my one means of escape
My only way out of my current situation or fate.
Is to flourish a cape
To show my confidence and courage, even in the face of adversity.
I'll fight all odds
I will overcome any obstacles or difficulties to achieve my goals.
And fight the Gods if they oppose me
I am willing to challenge fate or divine forces if they hinder or stand in my way.
I have to win, I won't give in
I am determined to succeed and will not surrender or give up.
No one who knows me would expect me to fail
My reputation and character show that I am capable of achieving greatness and success.
For the want of trying
I will succeed due to my hard work, determination, and effort.
Not a man alive
No one has experienced the same level of hardship or adversity that I have faced.
Had to beg or steal or fight
I have had to struggle and fight for everything I have achieved in life.
More than me to survive
I have had to do whatever it takes to survive and thrive, even if it means going against the rules or norms of society.
Another dawn, another boy
There are always new challenges and struggles in life, and new people facing similar obstacles.
My destiny will guarantee
My fate and future are certain and determined, no matter what happens.
And I must go there
I have a sense of purpose and urgency to reach my destination, no matter how difficult the journey.
One more mouth to feed
Another burden or responsibility to take care of and provide for.
And the way things are 'round here
Given the current circumstances and environment, it is challenging to meet everyone's needs and expectations.
That's the last thing they need
Adding one more person or challenge is overwhelming and difficult for those around us.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDDIE SEAGO, MIKE LEANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@steventolley44
82 years old now, and still showing all the young up and comers how itâs done. A legend!
@margaretbutler4250
Such a voi e
@kenmalanick
This is why he is known as THE VOICE. No one else should sing this song.
@ellenthayer369
...powerful, moving...one of tom's "masterpieces"... he gives his ALL with passion from his heart and soul...you not only hear his voice, you FEEL it â€â€â€
@esthelabarrera5016
Un magnĂfico, sobresaliente intĂ©rprete sin duda alguna. The one and only TOM JONES!
@annwojcik5566
I love this song and the feeling he puts into it Sir Tom Jones was my sweet 16 gift. My parents had asked me if I wanted a party or go see Tom Jones in concert. There was only one answer, TOM JONES. of course, I am now 66 years old and still love him. God Bless him and his God given voice. â„ïžâ€ïž
@eileenoshaughnessy3868
Absolutely fantastic I don't think anyone can sing it like Tom đâ€ïžđ¶
@esthelabarrera5016
You're right, anyone!
@timbrown5149
I'm 37 and grew up with my Parents listening to Tom Jones and even now when I hear him sing I think wow this guy can sing. He is truly one of the best male vocalists of our time.
@drewfranco4279
you all probably dont give a shit but does anybody know a tool to log back into an instagram account??
I was dumb forgot my password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me