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."
I
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something's heavy on my mind
Now I sit and wonder
What it is I can't find
Can't find peace all on my own
Can't seem to get there on and on
Come hear me brother
Now I have been broken
No longer am I blind
My lesser has spoken
And most of me is left behind
Won't find freedom here on my own
Can't seem to get there all alone
So, come hear me brother
I won't lie
You'll never leave me
You'll always be part of the person I'll become
And I'll never leave you
You give me memories that I know could never leave
Won't find peace all on my own
Can't seem to get there on and on
Come hear me brother
I won't lie
Come hear me brother
I won't lie
The lyrics of Tom Jones's song "I" are about a person who is struggling to find peace and comfort in their life. They are reaching out to their brother, seeking solace and companionship. The song speaks about the difficulties of finding freedom and peace on one's own and the importance of having someone to lean on during tough times.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is feeling lost, weighed down by something on their mind that they can't identify. They are searching for answers and a way to find peace but are struggling to do so. Despite this struggle, however, they are not alone. Their brother is always there for them, and they know that they will never be truly alone. The song speaks to the importance of having someone to rely on in life, especially during difficult times.
Overall, the lyrics of "I" are touching and relatable, describing the struggles that many people face in their lives. They emphasize the importance of having someone to turn to when things get tough and the value of close relationships and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, comfort me brother
I need your support and comfort, brother.
Something's heavy on my mind
I am troubled and burdened by something.
Now I sit and wonder
I am contemplating and reflecting on my thoughts and feelings.
What it is I can't find
I am unsure of what is causing my distress and discomfort.
Can't find peace all on my own
I am unable to attain inner peace by myself.
Can't seem to get there on and on
I am struggling to make progress and move forward.
Come hear me brother
I need you to listen and hear me out, brother.
I won't lie
I will be truthful and honest with you.
Now I have been broken
I have experienced pain and suffering that has left me wounded.
No longer am I blind
I am no longer unaware or in denial of my struggles and hardships.
My lesser has spoken
My vulnerable and weaker side has expressed itself.
And most of me is left behind
I have let go of a significant part of myself and my past.
You'll never leave me
I trust that you will always be there for me, brother.
You'll always be part of the person I'll become
Your influence and presence will shape and define who I am.
And I'll never leave you
I will always cherish and remember our relationship and bond.
You give me memories that I know could never leave
The memories we share will always be with me and hold a special place in my heart.
Come hear me brother
I still need your support and presence, brother.
I won't lie
I will continue to be truthful and honest with you.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Samuel Kiwanuka, Paul James Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TomJones
My new album 'Surrounded By Time' is available to order here: https://tomjones.lnk.to/SurroundedByTime
Let me know your favourites when you hear it! x
@l.mgeminimcdaniels9501
I will if it would hurry up and get here...the 🇺🇸 takes a minute from what I'm told😉
@nashboston41
hello there sir Tom Jones.my father's favorite song i who have nothing.Godbless you always sir
@bananka4905
this song here i have never heard... has to be one of the best performances i have heard from a performer. Good Job!!!!
@bananka4905
you can do love songs... blues .. wow!!! However, i would love to hear you bring it up for God... do some gospel... after all he gave you your voice.. bless xo
@cindypitifer1713
I will love him for the rest of my life!!
@mattmathieson7685
That was LIVE. No autotune. No lip sync. No back up singers. Tom Jones is the KING!!#
@agnieszkap-a5372
Zawsze mnie to wykonanie wzru💕sza
@keyvanattaie
Not really, actually, Jesus Christ is The King.
@Dennistcb78
Autotune 😂😂😂😂😂