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."
Mary's Boy Child
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So the Holy Bible says
Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas day
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
They saw a bright new shining star
And heard a choir from heaven sing
Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new King born today
And man will live forever more
Because of Christmas day
Now Joseph and his wife Mary
Came to Bethlehem that night
They found no place to bear her child
Not a single room was in sight
Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new King born today
And man will live forever more
Because of Christmas day
Trumpets sound and angels sing
Listen to what they say
And man will live forever more
Because of Christmas day
The song "Mary's Boy Child" by Tom Jones is a retelling of the nativity story as told in the Bible. The lyrics describe the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, as spoken of in the Holy Bible. The first verse sets the scene in Bethlehem, introducing the main character Mary's boy child, who is none other than Jesus Christ. The second verse introduces the shepherds who, according to the Bible, were visited by angels and told of the birth of the new King. The angels' chorus represents the joy and hope of the occasion, as a new King had been born on this day.
The third verse brings focus back to Mary and Joseph, who had travelled to Bethlehem from Nazareth at the time of Jesus' birth. They were not able to find a place to give birth in, and eventually ended up in a manger amongst the animals. The final verse again brings attention to the angels; their trumpets sounding and singing to all who would listen. The message is clear, that because of Christmas day, man will live forever more.
Overall, Tom Jones' "Mary's Boy Child" brings the listener on a journey back to the birth of Jesus Christ, and reminds us of the hope and joy that this event brings to Christians around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Long time ago in Bethlehem
This event happened a long time ago in the city of Bethlehem.
So the Holy Bible says
These words are based on what is written in the Holy Bible.
Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ
The child born to Mary was Jesus Christ.
Was born on Christmas day
Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
Shepherds were watching over their flocks during the night.
They saw a bright new shining star
They observed a bright and shining new star.
And heard a choir from heaven sing
They heard a choir singing from heaven.
The music came from afar
The music was coming from a distance.
Hark, now hear the angels sing
Listen carefully now, as the angels sing.
A new King born today
Today, a new King has been born.
And man will live forever more
As a result of this event, humanity will live forever.
Because of Christmas day
This is all possible because of the day of Christmas.
Now Joseph and his wife Mary
At that time, Joseph and Mary were present.
Came to Bethlehem that night
They arrived in Bethlehem that night.
They found no place to bear her child
They could not find a place to give birth to the child.
Not a single room was in sight
There was no room available.
Trumpets sound and angels sing
Trumpets are playing and angels are singing.
Listen to what they say
Pay attention to what they are saying.
And man will live forever more
This will result in humanity living forever.
Because of Christmas day
This is possible due to the day of Christmas.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: Jester Hairston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
A long time ago in Bethlehem
So the holy Bible says
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas Day
The shepherds watched their flocks by night
They saw a bright new shining star
And heard a choir from heaven sing
The music came from afar
Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new kings born today
And men will live forever more
Because of Christmas Day
Now Joseph & his wife Mary
Came to Bethlehem that night
They found no place to bear her child
Not a single room was in sight
Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new kings born today
And man will live forever more
Because of Christmas Day
Trumpets sound & angels sing
Listen to what they say
That man will live forever more
Because of Christmas Day
Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new kings born today
And man will live forever more
Because of Christmas Day
@annetjewn
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day
And man will live for evermore because of Christmas Day
Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible said
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day
While shepherds watch their flocks by night
They see a bright new shining star
They hear a choir sing a song, the music seemed to come from afar
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day
For a moment the world was aglow, all the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace"
Oh my Lord
You sent Your son to save us
Oh my Lord
Your very self You gave us
Oh my Lord
That sin may not enslave us
And love may reign once more
Oh my Lord
When in the crib they found Him
Oh my Lord
A golden halo crowned Him
Oh my Lord
They gathered all around Him
To see Him and adore (this day will live forever)
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
They had become to doubt You
Oh my Lord (He is the truth forever)
What did they know about You?
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
But they were lost without You
They needed You so bad (His light is shining on us)
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
With the child's adoration
Oh my lord (He is a personation)
There came great jubilation
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
And full of admiration
They realized what they had (until the sun falls from the sky)
Oh my Lord (oh praise the Lord)
You sent Your son to save us
Oh my Lord (this day will live forever)
Your very self You gave us
Oh my Lord (so praise the Lord)
@tedhermano7563
The best rendition of this song. Tom Jones never fail. Thank you for this.
@wilfredsutherland7639
Each time I listen to Tom Jones' rendition of this song my soul is stirred.
@lindamclean7234
Wow. Tom Jones and David Foster smash this. Sir Tom is absolutely magnificent and is definitely in the spirit. Chills and goosebumps he is so great. Could listen to this every day and never get tired of it.
@Harpenfarker
In MY view THIS is the MOST EXCELLENT version of THIS beautiful song and coincidentally......the MOST EXCELLENT USE of TOM JONES VOICE as well
@bienacabo8102
agreeeeeee
@agirlsinger
I completely agree 4:35
@AndreasMohr
Harry Belafonte...
@sideman7117
The passion in his voice gets to me.
@56fbb2
"They found no place to bed her Child"
Merry Christmas for all of us !!
@philbrown1474
Still great in 2020. I see no one around that can fill his shoes.