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."
Save The Last Dance For Me
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who gives you the eye,let him hold you tight
You can smile-every smile for the man
Who held your hand neath the pale moon light
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Like sparklin' wine,go and have your fun
Laugh and sing,but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Baby don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch
I will never never let you go
I love you oh so much
You can dance,go and carry on
Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he walk you home,you must tell him no
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
Save the last dance for me
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darling,save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for me.
The lyrics of "Save The Last Dance For Me" are a plea from the singer to his love to enjoy the night out and to have fun dancing with whomever she wishes, but to make sure she saves the last dance for him. He acknowledges that other men will try to charm her, but he wants her to remember who is really taking her home and who she will be spending the night with. He wants her to remain faithful to him even in his absence and to save the last dance for him as a symbol of their love and commitment.
The lyrics are full of romantic and nostalgic tones as the singer reflects on the couple's love and how it will endure despite any separation. He pleads with his love to not give her heart to anyone while they are apart and to always remember who she will be with at the end of the night. The lyrics are simple but poignant and convey a powerful message that love and commitment are worth preserving.
Line by Line Meaning
You can dance-every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye,let him hold you tight
You can dance with any man who shows interest in you and holds you tight.
You can smile-every smile for the man
Who held your hand neath the pale moon light
You can smile at any man who held your hand under the moonlight.
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Remember that I am taking you home and holding you in my arms, so please save the last dance for me.
Oh I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine,go and have your fun
Laugh and sing,but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
I understand that the music is great and you should have fun and enjoy yourself, but please don't give your heart to anyone else while we are apart.
Baby don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch
I will never never let you go
I love you oh so much
My love for you is so strong and I will never let you go.
You can dance,go and carry on
Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks if you're all alone
Can he walk you home,you must tell him no
You can continue dancing and enjoying yourself until the night is over, but if another man offers to walk you home, you must say no.
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
Save the last dance for me
Remember who will be taking you home and holding you, so please save the last dance for me.
Save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for me.
Please save the last dance for me, it's important to me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Magier Family Entertainer Pierre Mardue
"Rette den letzten Tanz für mich"
Du kannst mit dem Typen tanzen – jeden Tanz
Wer dir das Auge gibt, lass ihn dich festhalten
Du kannst lächeln – jedes Lächeln für den Mann
Der deine Hand durch das fahle Mondlicht hielt
Aber vergiss nicht, wer dich nach Hause bringt
Und in wessen Armen du sein wirst
Also Liebling, hebe mir den letzten Tanz auf
x x x x x
Oh, ich weiß, dass die Musik in Ordnung ist
Wie Sekt, geh und hab deinen Spaß
Lachen und singen, aber während wir getrennt sind
Gib niemandem dein Herz
Aber vergiss nicht, wer dich nach Hause bringt
Und in wessen Armen du sein wirst
Also Liebling, hebe mir den letzten Tanz auf
x x x x x
Baby, weißt du nicht, dass ich dich so liebe?
Kannst du es nicht fühlen, wenn wir uns berühren?
Ich werde dich niemals gehen lassen
Ich liebe dich so sehr
x x x x x
Sie können tanzen, gehen und weitermachen
Bis die Nacht vorbei ist
Und es ist Zeit zu gehen
Wenn er fragt, ob du ganz allein bist
Kann er dich nach Hause begleiten,
musst du ihm nein sagen
x x x x x
Denn vergiss nicht, wer dich nach Hause bringt
Und in wessen Armen du sein wirst
Also Liebling, hebe mir den letzten Tanz auf
Oh, ich weiß, dass die Musik in Ordnung ist
Wie Sekt, geh und hab deinen Spaß
Lachen und singen, aber während wir getrennt sind
Gib niemandem dein Herz
Aber vergiss nicht, wer dich nach Hause bringt
Und in wessen Armen du sein wirst
Also Liebling, hebe mir den letzten Tanz auf
x x x x x
Denn vergiss nicht, wer dich nach Hause bringt
Und in wessen Armen du sein wirst
Also Liebling, hebe mir den letzten Tanz auf
Heb mir den letzten Tanz auf
Heb mir den letzten Tanz auf. X(2)
Jeannette VanDeNorth
When you hear Sir Tom,his voice is instantly reconizable,as strong as when he began.
Linda Booth
Always did love Tom and his beautiful voice. A wonderful person❤
Beastgirl
I love him since many years, great voice, great singer and great personality!!!!❤❤❤❤
ARTIST TOM JONES
Hello amazing fan.
It has come to my notice that some of my fans thinks I was the person who died. Late jones was The one who conceived the twist on Romeo and Juliet with composer John Donald Robb. He died 11th August, of cancer in his home in Sharon.
I’m still alive and much healthy.
Thanks dear fan…
Diana Glaze
Best version of this song I have heard. Sir Tom is magnificent!
Verónica Ordoñez
I love Sir Tom Jones, he's absolutely amazing!!!!😊❤❤❤❤❤❤
Calliope Euterpe
Caro Sir Tom è un gran piacere ascoltare la tua voce e questa canzone con il suo ritmo ti mette voglia di ballare , di muoverti e di sorridere!!!! E' una piacevolissima terapia!!!!!Grazie SirJones!
Hanna Manyevich
Sir Tom Jonse, the greatest singer ever! Never be another U! Continue to rock dear Tommy! Just Bravo!!!
Rosella Matkin
The man has got it💜✝️💃💃🌹
Hanna Manyevich
An unmistakable voice, lovely, great and amazing. Pure english, incredible voice! Nobody comes close! Continue to rocke dear Tommy and save the last dance for Israel ! Bravo!!!