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."
Jailhouse Rock
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing
You should've heard them knocked out jailbirds sing
Let's rock
Everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
Let's rock
Everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Number forty-seven said to number three
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
I sure would be delighted with your company
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Let's rock
Everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Sad sack was sittin' on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair"
Let's rock
Everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake
No one's lookin'; now's our chance to make a break"
Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix
I want to stick around a while and get my kicks"
Let's rock
Everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
"Jailhouse Rock" by Tom Jones is a cover of Elvis Presley's classic song from 1957. The song's lyrics describe a party that the warden throws in the county jail where the prisoners and prison band danced and sang to the "Jailhouse Rock." The band playing the music features Spider Murphy on the tenor saxophone and Little Joe on the slide trombone, while the drummer boy from Illinois provides the beat. The Purple Gang is the entire rhythm section, and they all come together to make a memorable performance for the audience. The song's lyrics also describe characters like Number 47, who finds Number 3 attractive and asks to dance. Other characters, like Sad Sack and Shifty Henry, interact and express their sentiments throughout the song.
The lyrics to "Jailhouse Rock" suggest a fun-filled environment where even the prisoners forget their woes and let the music take over. The prisoners seem to unite as one and forget about their troubles in the world outside. It's a surreal situation, almost as if the prisoners are having a good time behind bars. The song's upbeat tempo and lively beat create an ambiance of carefreeness, which is infectious and makes it impossible not to dance along. "Jailhouse Rock" is one of those timeless classics that listeners can always listen to, tap their feet to the beat, and find joy in the simplest things, just like the prisoners in the story.
Line by Line Meaning
The warden threw a party in the county jail
The warden organized a gathering in the jailhouse
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band that played music for the prisoners was present and they started playing music
The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing
The music was so lively and energetic that it got everyone excited and moving
You should've heard them knocked out jailbirds sing
The inmates, who were ecstatic because of the music, started singing with enthusiasm
Let's rock
An exclamation to encourage everyone to enjoy and dance
Everybody, let's rock
An inclusive statement to inspire everyone present to have fun
Everybody in the whole cell block
A statement to emphasize that everyone, without any exception, was enjoying themselves
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
A description of how everyone was moving their bodies to the music
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
A specific mention of a musician who played an instrumental part
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
A specific mention of another musician who was also playing an instrumental part
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
Another specific mention of a musician who was producing the rhythm with his drumming
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
An acknowledgement of the entire band, named 'the Purple Gang', as the creators of the captivating music
Number forty-seven said to number three
A reference to two inmates who were talking to each other
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
A complement given by one inmate to the other, expressing appreciation of their looks
I sure would be delighted with your company
An expression of interest in the company of the other inmate
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
An invitation to dance with another inmate to the music
Sad sack was sittin' on a block of stone
A description of an inmate sitting alone, looking sad
Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
A further description of the sad-looking inmate sitting alone in a corner
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
The warden tries to encourage the sad inmate to join the others and have fun
If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair"
An alternative suggestion to the sad inmate, in case they can't find anyone to dance with
Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake
Two inmates named Shifty Henry and Bugsy are having a conversation
No one's lookin'; now's our chance to make a break"
Shifty suggests to Bugsy that they should take advantage of the chaos to escape
Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix
Bugsy replies to Shifty telling him that he is not interested in escaping
I want to stick around a while and get my kicks"
Bugsy prefers to stay and enjoy the party because he's having fun
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Repeating the earlier description of everyone dancing to the music
Lyrics © BUDDE MUSIC FRANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tom_jones00
Hello amazing fan.
Thank you for your beautiful comment.
I’ve seen a whole lot of “RIP” attached to my name all over the internet. This is the reason I decided to debunk this false new of my demise.
Late Ton Jones was the one who conceived the twist on Romeo and Juliet with composer, John Donald Robb. He died on the 11th of August of cancer in his home in Sharon.
Please disregard all the false publications on the internet.I’m still alive and much healthy.
Thank you beloved fan.
For further clarification,I added my personal mailing address on the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead. 🙏
@Tom_jones00
Hello amazing fan.
Thank you for your beautiful comment.
I’ve seen a whole lot of “RIP” attached to my name all over the internet. This is the reason I decided to debunk this false new of my demise.
Late Ton Jones was the one who conceived the twist on Romeo and Juliet with composer, John Donald Robb. He died on the 11th of August of cancer in his home in Sharon.
Please disregard all the false publications on the internet.I’m still alive and much healthy.
Thank you beloved fan.
For further clarification,I added my personal mailing address on the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead. 🙏
@Tom_jones00
Hello amazing fan.
Thank you for your beautiful comment.
I’ve seen a whole lot of “RIP” attached to my name all over the internet. This is the reason I decided to debunk this false new of my demise.
Late Ton Jones was the one who conceived the twist on Romeo and Juliet with composer, John Donald Robb. He died on the 11th of August of cancer in his home in Sharon.
Please disregard all the false publications on the internet.I’m still alive and much healthy.
Thank you beloved fan.
For further clarification,I added my personal mailing address on the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead. 🙏 🙏
@Tom_jones00
Hello amazing fan.
Thank you for your beautiful comment.
I’ve seen a whole lot of “RIP” attached to my name all over the internet. This is the reason I decided to debunk this false new of my demise.
Late Ton Jones was the one who conceived the twist on Romeo and Juliet with composer, John Donald Robb. He died on the 11th of August of cancer in his home in Sharon.
Please disregard all the false publications on the internet.I’m still alive and much healthy.
Thank you beloved fan.
For further clarification,I added my personal mailing address on the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead. 🙏 🙏
@Tom_jones00
Hello amazing fan.
Thank you for your beautiful comment.
I’ve seen a whole lot of “RIP” attached to my name all over the internet. This is the reason I decided to debunk this false new of my demise.
Late Ton Jones was the one who conceived the twist on Romeo and Juliet with composer, John Donald Robb. He died on the 11th of August of cancer in his home in Sharon.
Please disregard all the false publications on the internet.I’m still alive and much healthy.
Thank you beloved fan.
For further clarification,I added my personal mailing address on the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead. 🙏
@Tom_jones00
Hello amazing fan.
Thank you for your beautiful comment.
I’ve seen a whole lot of “RIP” attached to my name all over the internet. This is the reason I decided to debunk this false new of my demise.
Late Ton Jones was the one who conceived the twist on Romeo and Juliet with composer, John Donald Robb. He died on the 11th of August of cancer in his home in Sharon.
Please disregard all the false publications on the internet.I’m still alive and much healthy.
Thank you beloved fan.
For further clarification,I added my personal mailing address on the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead. 🙏 🙏
@marywookey9089
Growing up in the ' 60's, my Gramma had a major crush on Tom, now I'm 60 and thinkin' my Gramms had good taste dayum!!😍😂
@kellydave1088
Hello Mary, how is things going with you?
@Kristenkiernan27
I’m 37 and I’m like “dayum”
@hymanandhyman
Mine also.
@audreydavies2992
I'm sorry dear, I am Audrey and I contacted you by mistake can't get used my new phone
@dragan1427
💯🌹
@danieengelbrecht8482
Absolutely brilliant Tom.. You are still rocking it in 2023..who agrees?
@libiafigueroamatute7777
Me too in 2024
@christinephillip5590
Phenomenal Tom Jones! What a true talented singer dancer entertainer! Dances up a storm and continues belting out the tune without missing a beat. As he recently noted to the other Voice judges while grinning and sharing on his cell one of his videos: " That fella had a lot of energy". More than that Sir Tom Jones. You were/are One of a kind! Just true greatness, a legend!
@user-uq2rp7ky4v
Com. SUPER !!! 👍👍🤝🤝👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉💓💓