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."
Sugar Daddy
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got sexual ambition
I'm the last great tradition
Let me state my position
The older I get
The better I was
It's all just a show
The show must go on
What else can it do?
I'm gonna drop the load on you
Sugar, sugar daddy, Sugar
I got no inhibition
I got all the ammunition
Got the moves with position
Can't you see my condition?
You gotta get your hands dirty
When you're digging a ditch
And, gods
Revenge on the rich
Got the money got the moves
Got the looks and the brakes
Got the shirt got the shoes
Got what it takes
You've got to lay it down
Tell me what you need
You've got to lay it down
Get up, up from your feet you know
I get it down
You wanted sorrow, want it sweet
Daddy always gives you what is good for you
Sugar, sugar daddy, Sugar
I've got male intuition
It's a desperate condition
Nearly out of ammunition
Sexual ambition
Whoa!
Holy schmoly
I'm a one man army
Yeah, a one man mob
Woo-hoo
I'm the McDaddy
You don't send a boy to do a man's job
And you make me feel
Like I'm not alone
I've been singing this song
Since before you were born
Baby, you're invited
But your friend can't come
He's a little too excited
Maybe a little too young
Ah baby, you're invited
But your friend can't come
He's a little too rich
Maybe a little too young
The show must go on
What else can it do?
I'm gonna drop it all on you
Sugar, sugar daddy
Sugar, sugar daddy
Sugar, sugar daddy
Sugar, sugar daddy
Sugar
In "Sugar Daddy," Tom Jones sings about his self-assuredness and masculinity. He talks about his intuition and ambition, and how he's the last great tradition. He is confident in his abilities to satisfy his partners, and he wants them to know that. Throughout the track, Jones emphasizes his sexual prowess and physical attractiveness, saying that he has all the ammunition, moves, and looks that he needs. He even goes as far as to say that he's a one-man army, a McDaddy. He wants his partner to feel that he's the real deal and that it's all just because of his charm.
As Jones gets older, he acknowledges that his talent has allowed him to maintain his celebrity status. He states that "the older I get, the better I was." He also seems aware that some of his success has been dependent on putting on a show, saying "it's all just a show," and that "the show must go on." At the end of the song, Jones invites his partner to be with him, but not to bring a friend who is too young, rich, or excited. Overall, Jones is portraying himself as a confident, skilled partner who is desirable to women.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got male intuition
I'm confident in my own judgement and instincts as a man.
I've got sexual ambition
I have strong sexual desires and aspirations.
I'm the last great tradition
I embody the classic ideals of masculinity and virility.
Let me state my position
Allow me to express my views and intentions clearly.
The older I get
As I age and gain experience,
The better I was
I become more and more proud of my past successes.
It's all just a show
All of this is just a performance or display.
It's all just because
I'm doing this for reasons that may not be entirely sincere.
The show must go on
I have a duty to keep up appearances and maintain my image.
What else can it do?
There's really no other choice or option available.
I'm gonna drop the load on you
I'm going to give you everything I've got, sexually speaking.
Sugar, sugar daddy, Sugar
I'm addressing myself as a wealthy, powerful man who can provide women with what they want.
I got no inhibition
I'm not ashamed or embarrassed by anything I do or say.
I got all the ammunition
I have all the skills, resources, and confidence I need to succeed.
Got the moves with position
I know how to satisfy women sexually and I have the status and power to attract them.
Can't you see my condition?
Don't you realize how desperate I am to fulfill my sexual desires?
You gotta get your hands dirty
You need to be willing to take risks and do whatever it takes to succeed.
When you're digging a ditch
Any job, no matter how hard, has rewards if you work hard at it.
And, gods
Even the gods themselves will get revenge on those who don't work hard enough.
Revenge on the rich
Those who think they're above hard work and effort may face the consequences of their laziness.
Got the money got the moves
I have lots of wealth and lots of sexual expertise.
Got the looks and the brakes
I'm physically attractive and I know how to stop just when I need to.
Got the shirt got the shoes
I have all the finest clothes and accessories that money can buy.
Got what it takes
I have the skills, the money, and the mind set to be a successful sugar daddy.
You've got to lay it down
You need to tell me exactly what you want and need.
Tell me what you need
Don't be afraid to be honest and direct with me.
Get up, up from your feet you know
Get up and dance with me, get in the mood for more intimate things to follow.
I get it down
I understand what you want and I'm eager to provide it for you.
You wanted sorrow, want it sweet
Despite wanting emotionally difficult things, you want it delivered pleasureably.
Daddy always gives you what is good for you
I'm always looking to give you (things which are your guilty pleasure yet) beneficial for your health and wellbeing.
It's a desperate condition
I'm in a state of desperation, seeking sexual fulfillment.
Nearly out of ammunition
I've nearly run out of all of my seductive skills and resources.
Whoa!
Expressing amazement, surprise, or pleasure.
Holy schmoly
An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.
I'm a one man army
I'm capable and powerful enough to fulfill all of my sugar daddy obligations on my own.
Yeah, a one man mob
I command a large number of assets and people with a single 'hand'.
Woo-hoo
An exclamation of excitement, joy, or pleasure.
I'm the McDaddy
I'm the ultimate, most desirable sugar daddy around.
You don't send a boy to do a man's job
You need someone with experience, knowledge and skill set of a man for a man's job, not an inexperienced guy.
And you make me feel
Being with you, I feel
Like I'm not alone
That I'm not lone or lonely any more.
I've been singing this song
I have been following these sexual aspirations for a long time.
Since before you were born
I have been at it before you came into this world.
Baby, you're invited
You're welcome to join me for a sexual experience.
But your friend can't come
But your friends cannot accompany you, this is for us only.
He's a little too excited
Your friend might not be able to control himself or might create hurdles.
Maybe a little too young
Some may not have the mental maturity to handle such situations.
Ah baby, you're invited
I want to do this with you.
But your friend can't come
It will be just the two of us here.
He's a little too rich
Your friend might think he can provide more than I can offer.
Maybe a little too young
Your friend might not have the maturity required to deal with such situations.
Sugar, sugar daddy
A repeated reference to his title as a sugar daddy.
Sugar
A final reference to himself as a sugar daddy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SIMON EDMUND CARMODY, DAVID HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind