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."
Day By Day
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I play the part
I feel so good, I feel so good
When Madison square garden no longer screams for me
And the record company don't send no limos for me
And the young girls they think that I'm too old
I know I be ok when I think of the young days, the young days
From the hood to the suburbs in the theater near you
The big neon lights whenever we came through
People pushing through like they don't no what to do
Bouncers screaming he, he, he
Ain't no pushing to the back of the line
Don't you know
Everybodys bound to get in
Wait your turn
Ticketholders are first on the line
But it made me feel special when
A hunderd girls rushed that door
Ain't no what the bouncers say
They went to the club screaming tom
It made me feel special when the say
Dj play this request
Alright
Thinking of my younger rowdy days
I know my people say
Come rush the door we gonna bombrush the door (3*) he, he ,he
Come rush the door we gonna bombrush the door (3*) he, he, he
When I look in your eyes that's the only stars I see
And I go through new york with no security
And on the billboards I'm no longer number one
I know I be oke when I think of the young days, the young days etc
It was young and rowdy
Now I'm old and rowdy
As long as I stay rowdy
Nothing gonna be cloudy
It was good in sixty-five
It was good in sixty-six
It was good in sixty-seven
I felt I was in heaven
It still feels good
After all these years
Now were in a
New millennium
I can dig it
I still dig it
I still do it
Cause I love it yes I do-ac
The lyrics to Tom Jones’s song Day By Day convey the sentiments of a seasoned artist who is aware of his advancing age, a decline in his popularity, and the changing times, yet he remains optimistic and unapologetic about his rowdy, rock-and-roll ways. The lyrics suggest a sense of nostalgia and longing for the early days of his music career, eliciting fond memories of playing in clubs and theaters and being the center of attention for his fans, which used to comprise a horde of young girls. The lines, “And the young girls they think that I’m too old” and “And on the billboards I’m no longer number one,” suggest that the singer’s fame has waned, but he remains undeterred and resolute in his artistry.
The lyrics’ language and tone communicate a sense of resilience and defiance, and the singer’s thoughts of his younger rowdy days suggest a refusal to conform to society’s expectations of how one should behave in old age. He seems to embrace his age and experience while still enjoying the feeling of being young at heart. The phrase, “It was young and rowdy, Now I'm old and rowdy, As long as I stay rowdy, Nothing gonna be cloudy,” reflects the singer’s sense of self-assurance and determination to remain true to himself.
Overall, the lyrics to Day By Day are a reflection of an artist’s journey from youth to old age, capturing the excitement, nostalgia, resilience, and defiance that accompany such a journey.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm still young at heart
Although I have gotten older, I still have a youthful spirit.
I play the part
I continue to perform and entertain as I always have, keeping my own image and persona alive.
I feel so good, I feel so good
I am content and happy with my life, with all the experiences and memories I've collected so far.
When Madison Square Garden no longer screams for me
As I age, the big venues and arenas that used to clamor for my performances have subsided over time.
And the record company don't send no limos for me
The perks and glamour of being a contracted musician have dwindled with the lessened demand for my music.
And the young girls they think that I'm too old
I have noticed the changing attitudes and preferences of younger generations, who no longer consider me as relevant or appealing as they used to.
I know I be ok when I think of the young days, the young days
Despite these changes, I remain confident and content because I cherish the memories of my younger years.
With a mike and a guitar I used to racket on any stage, any stage
I used to perform with just a microphone and guitar, bringing my music to any stage available to me.
From the hood to the suburbs in the theater near you
I performed in various locations, ranging from inner-city neighborhoods to suburban areas, finally ending up in theaters across the country.
The big neon lights whenever we came through
My performances were always accompanied by bright and lively neon lights, adding to the excitement and atmosphere of the concert.
People pushing through like they don't no what to do
Fans would rush to the venue, pushing and shoving to try to get the best spots to see and hear me perform.
Bouncers screaming he, he, he
The bouncers trying to manage the situation would be shouting to get the crowd under control.
Ain't no pushing to the back of the line
There was no line-cutting or saving places in line during these concerts.
Don't you know
I expect that everyone knows this rule.
Everybodys bound to get in
Everyone will eventually get the chance to enter the venue and see the show.
Wait your turn
Everyone needs to be patient and wait their turn to see the concert.
Ticketholders are first on the line
Those who have tickets to the show will be given the first chance to enter.
But it made me feel special when
Despite this rule, I would feel flattered when people clamored to see me and hear me sing.
A hundred girls rushed that door
Especially when a horde of female fans would race to enter the venue to see me perform.
Ain't no what the bouncers say
Despite attempts by security to regulate the situation, the crowd was still enthusiastic and unaffected by warnings.
They went to the club screaming tom
These fans would shout my name, creating an exciting and endearing atmosphere.
Dj play this request
These fans would then make requests to the DJ, further adding to the palpable energy of the venue.
Thinking of my younger rowdy days
The reminiscence of these memories makes me nostalgic for my wild and lively youth.
Now I'm old and rowdy
Despite my older age and changing circumstances, I still remain energetic and passionate about my music and performances.
As long as I stay rowdy
As long as I maintain this wild and free-spirited energy, I won't lose my passion for music and performing.
Nothing gonna be cloudy
The future seems clear and bright as long as I maintain my youthful spirit.
It was good in sixty-five
I reminisce about a time when my career was just starting out and things felt simpler and less burdened.
It was good in sixty-six
I remember the feelings of excitement and enthusiasm I felt for music and performance during my early career days.
It was good in sixty-seven
I fondly recall the many musical achievements and milestones I reached during this year in particular.
I felt I was in heaven
These experiences were overwhelming and fulfilling, making me feel like I was on top of the world.
It still feels good
Despite the passing of time, these memories still evoke strong feelings of warmth and satisfaction within me.
After all these years
I've aged and my life circumstances have changed, but I'm still content with the memories I've made.
Now were in a
As time has passed, we have entered a new era of music and performance.
New millennium
This new era refers to the change in calendar years and overall cultural shift from the past.
I can dig it
I am embracing this new era and am enthusiastic about the new possibilities and opportunities that lay ahead.
I still dig it
Despite some changes and evolved perspectives, I still have a deep admiration and love for music and performance.
I still do it
I continue to perform and make music because it is a fundamental and unchanging part of my identity.
Cause I love it yes I do-ac
I am passionate and devoted to my craft and will continue to pursue it until the end of my days.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY DUPLESSIS, TOM JONES, WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlos A. Gógola
Love this song, even when I was born a few years after this song was released!
robert gowing
He can sing anything always the best
Shaheryar Ali
Hey, thank you so much for having posted this- I have been looking for it for years. Such a simple song yet so excellently delivered. That's the beauty of Sir Tom!!!
Rhonda Sorrow
A terrific song from Tom-love it!
Ximena Villarroel Rodriguez
yo llegue al mundo en ese año y amo a Tom Jones
Liliana Bartosi
Beautiful song and powerfull, wonderful voice: two ingredient for success! Thank you for that!
Verónica Ordoñez
I love Sir Tom Jones forever he's my favorite singer 😊❤❤❤❤❤❤
Gerry Marten
Another great song by Tom Jones featured on the the B side of the Help Yourself vinyl.
tenniscollector
@Sheryar1701 It is remarkable longevity , inspite of his age, he continues recording new music with such a power to his voice. Thank you for your comment. I'm pleased you liked tthe video. Check out my TJ new "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" video.
Marc-Antoine LOPEZ
The great Tom Jones