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."
Hit or Miss
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listening to everybody, everybody
He ain't be like everybody else
Oh you see, I gotta be me
And there ain't nobody just like this
I gotta be me
Baby hit or miss
All by yourself
You listening to everybody, everybody
He ain't be like everybody else
Oh, you see
You gotta believe
And there ain't nobody just like this
You gotta believe
Oh, baby hit or miss
I was sitting down, all by myself
I was listening to everybody, everybody
He ain't be like everybody else
Oh you see, I gotta be me
And there ain't nobody just like this
I got to be me
Oh, baby hit or miss
No there ain't nobody just like this
I got to be me
Oh, baby hit or miss
I gotta be me
Baby hit or miss
You've got to believe
Baby hit or miss
You've got to believe
In yourself
Don't listen to anybody else
You got to believe
You got to believe
You got to believe
In yourself
Don't listen to nobody but yourself
Yeah
Yourself
Be yourself
Be yourself
Like nobody else
Gotta believe
The lyrics to "Hit or Miss" by Tom Jones explore the idea of individuality and the need to be true to oneself, despite the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Jones sings about sitting alone, listening to the opinions of others, and feeling the need to break away from the norm. He realizes that he has to be true to himself because there's nobody else like him. He repeats the phrase "hit or miss" throughout the song, emphasizing that it's okay to take risks and make mistakes because it's all a part of finding one's true self.
The song takes an interesting twist when Jones notices someone else in the same position as him, listening to the opinions of others, and feeling like they don't fit in. He encourages this person to believe in themselves and to be true to their own unique self, just as he has learned to do for himself. The lyrics emphasize the importance of believing in oneself, trusting one's own instincts, and rejecting the pressure to conform.
Overall, "Hit or Miss" is a powerful anthem for individuality and self-belief. It encourages listeners to be true to themselves, even if it means taking risks and making mistakes along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I was sitting down, all by myself
Tom describes himself as sitting alone, isolated from the surrounding people.
Listening to everybody, everybody
Tom listens to what others say and does not disregard anyone's opinion.
He ain't be like everybody else
Tom realizes that he does not want to fit in with the crowd and longs to be unique.
Oh you see, I gotta be me
Tom's individuality is an important part of his identity, and he feels it necessary to express himself freely.
And there ain't nobody just like this
Tom recognizes that there is nobody else like him, with his unique personality and traits.
I gotta be me
Tom emphasizes that his identity is crucial to him; he intends to stay true to his unique self regardless of any external pressure.
Baby hit or miss
Tom acknowledges that he will either succeed or fail in being himself, but this does not deter him from showing his true identity.
But then I looked at you just sitting there
Tom notices someone else who is also sitting alone, which draws his attention and prompts him to say the next couple of lines.
You listening to everybody, everybody
Tom realizes that the person he is looking at is also listening to what others say, just like him.
He ain't be like everybody else
Tom recognizes that the person he is looking at is not conforming to societal expectations and wants to be unique.
Oh, you see
Tom tries to communicate with this person and says that he understands something significant about him/her.
You gotta believe
Tom encourages this person to believe in himself/herself, to stay true to his/her beliefs and identity.
No there ain't nobody just like this
Tom echoes a similar statement he made earlier, informing this person that he/she is unique, and there is nobody else like him/her.
You gotta believe
Tom reiterates that staying true to personal identity is important for happiness and fulfillment.
Oh, baby hit or miss
Tom encourages this person to exhibit who he/she is and be oneself, accepting that there will be ups and downs in life.
I gotta be me
Tom repeats this line from earlier to remind that being oneself is a crucial and foundational part of one's personal identity.
Oh, baby hit or miss
Tom reiterates that there will be mixed outcomes when being oneself, but it is worth it in the end.
You've got to believe
Tom emphasizes the importance of self-belief and personal conviction to the person he is addressing.
In yourself
Tom tells this person to believe in his/her inner beliefs and convictions rather than others' opinions.
Don't listen to anybody else
Tom urges this person not to pay attention to others' judgments and opinions on who he/she should be.
You got to believe
Tom repeats this statement to reinforce his message of belief in oneself.
You got to believe
Tom again stresses the importance of self-belief, affirmation, and confidence to this person.
In yourself
Tom reiterates that believing in oneself is the only way to be happy and fulfilled in life.
Don't listen to nobody but yourself
Tom tries to make this person understand that he/she is the only one who should be making any decisions regarding his/her own life.
Yeah
Tom expresses his agreement with the message he has just conveyed to this person.
Yourself
Tom tells this person to be true to himself/herself, to follow his/her beliefs and values.
Be yourself
Tom emphasizes again that authenticity is key, and one must be true to oneself to be happy and fulfilled.
Like nobody else
Tom encourages this person to embrace his/her uniqueness fully, just like himself.
Gotta believe
Tom finishes the song with the same message he repeatedly conveyed to the person he was addressing - self-belief, conviction, and authenticity are crucial.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Odetta Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susana Campos
I believe this song is one of the best Tom Jones has ever sung. Love it!!!
Hermes Spota Rosenkranz
Wow!!! Once again and I will not tire of repeating it every time I return to this video to enjoy the talent of this señoron (Sir) that is Tom Jones. A great song, a beautiful Voice. Song with the heart (soul). Congratulations! Chao. Shalom ubrajah.
Lindy Talbot
Sounds great...always loved his voice, and it's still in amazing form
Mikhail Yakunkin aka Slow Mick
Fantastic!
Long Life and thousands of new Albums!
Vivien Wray
Love this ,Tom enjoying Himself ,there is No One like Him ,He is WOW!!!!!
joneswoodward11
Maravilloso escuchar su gran Voz y buenísima canción Hit or Miss
Elizabeth Kerr
Brilliant song
Elisabeth Niklasson
Elizabeth Kerr
Ezra Graham
Great song, terrible cameraman. Watching the piano player when the guitar is soloing?
Linda Rita Alvarado
Songs that teach, I like. Great rythm.