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."
Tower Of Song
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ache in the places where I used to play
And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on
I'm just paying my rent every day
Oh in the tower of song
I said to hank Williams, how lonely does it get?
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
In the tower of song
I was born like this, I had no choice
I was born with the gift of a golden voice
And twenty-seven angels from the great beyond
They tied me to this table right here
In the tower of song
So you can stick your little pins in that voodoo doll
I'm very sorry, baby, doesn't look like me at all
I'm standing by the window where the light is strong
Ah they don't let a woman kill you
Not in the tower of song
Now you can say that I've grown bitter but of this you may be sure
The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor
And there's a mighty judgment coming, but I may be wrong
You see, you hear these funny voices
In the tower of song
I see you standing on the other side
I don't know how the river got so wide
I loved you baby, way back when
And all the bridges are burning that we might have crossed
But I feel so close to everything that we lost
We'll never have to lose it again
Now I bid you farewell, I don't know when I'll be back
There moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track
But you'll be hearing from me baby, long after I'm gone
I'll be speaking to you sweetly
From a window in the tower of song
Yeah my friends are gone and my hair is grey
I ache in the places where I used to play
And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on
I'm just paying my rent every day
Oh in the tower of song
The lyrics to Tom Jones's Tower of Song speak to the singer's experience of aging and feeling isolated as he continues to create music from within the "tower of song." He describes feeling older, with his friends gone and his hair grey, and "aching in the places where I used to play." Despite this, he remains committed to music and love, noting that he's "crazy for love but [he's] not coming on." Rather, he's taking life day by day, paying his rent and continuing to create music from within the "tower of song."
He references the late Hank Williams, asking how lonely it gets. Though he doesn't receive an answer, he hears coughing "a hundred floors above me." He discusses his own musical abilities, noting that he was "born like this" with a "golden voice" and that twenty-seven angels from the "great beyond" tied him to the table in the tower of song.
The song ends on a bittersweet note, with Jones bidding farewell and acknowledging that he doesn't know when he'll be back. He notes that he'll likely continue speaking to his listeners through his music, even long after he's gone, from "a window in the tower of song."
Line by Line Meaning
Well my friends are gone and my hair is grey
My friends have passed away and I am now old.
I ache in the places where I used to play
My body hurts where I once had fun.
And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on
I still desire love, but I'm not actively seeking it.
I'm just paying my rent every day
I'm just living day by day, trying to make ends meet.
Oh in the tower of song
I am living my life in the metaphorical 'tower of song', which represents my musical career.
I said to hank Williams, how lonely does it get?
I once asked Hank Williams how lonely he was, given the isolation of a musician's life.
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
To this day, I have not received a response from Hank Williams.
But I hear him coughing all night long
Despite this, I feel that I can sense his presence in my music.
A hundred floors above me
This presence, however, feels distant and removed.
I was born like this, I had no choice
I was born with a gift for singing and music, it was not a decision I made.
I was born with the gift of a golden voice
I have been blessed with a great singing voice.
And twenty-seven angels from the great beyond
I feel like my music is being influenced by a higher power.
They tied me to this table right here
I feel a sense of obligation to continue making music, which is represented by the table.
In the tower of song
All of this takes place within the metaphorical 'tower of song'.
So you can stick your little pins in that voodoo doll
You can try to hurt me with your actions, but they will not succeed.
I'm very sorry, baby, doesn't look like me at all
The person behind the attempts to hurt me does not truly know me.
I'm standing by the window where the light is strong
I am standing in a place of strength despite the opposition I face.
Ah they don't let a woman kill you
No one has the power to destroy me completely, not even a woman.
Not in the tower of song
I am protected by the tower of song from anything that would seek to destroy me.
Now you can say that I've grown bitter but of this you may be sure
Despite appearances, I have not truly become bitter in life.
The rich have got their channels in the bedrooms of the poor
The wealthy have an unfair advantage over the poor, even extending into their most intimate spaces.
And there's a mighty judgment coming, but I may be wrong
A reckoning is on the horizon for those who have used their power and privilege selfishly, but ultimately I could be mistaken.
You see, you hear these funny voices
Despite everything, I still hear the voices that inspire and motivate me.
In the tower of song
All of this takes place within the metaphorical 'tower of song'.
I see you standing on the other side
I see you, the listener, on the other side of the music and beyond.
I don't know how the river got so wide
I am perplexed how we got so far away from each other.
I loved you baby, way back when
At one point, I felt a powerful love for you, the listener.
And all the bridges are burning that we might have crossed
Now, however, it seems like all the opportunities for us to connect are gone.
But I feel so close to everything that we lost
Despite this, I still feel a sense of closeness and familiarity with the past and with you, the listener.
We'll never have to lose it again
Even if we can never go back to what we once had, we can still remain close and connected through the music.
Now I bid you farewell, I don't know when I'll be back
I am saying goodbye to you, the listener, but I don't know when or if we will ever meet again.
There moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track
I will be moving on to a new phase of my musical career, represented by a different 'tower'.
But you'll be hearing from me baby, long after I'm gone
Despite all the changes, I will still be creating music and reaching out to you, the listener, long into the future.
I'll be speaking to you sweetly
I will continue to talk to you through my music and through my connection to the 'tower of song'.
From a window in the tower of song
All of this takes place within the metaphorical 'tower of song'.
Yeah my friends are gone and my hair is grey
My friends have passed away and I am now old.
I ache in the places where I used to play
My body hurts where I once had fun.
And I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on
I still desire love, but I'm not actively seeking it.
I'm just paying my rent every day
I'm just living day by day, trying to make ends meet.
Oh in the tower of song
I am living my life in the metaphorical 'tower of song', which represents my musical career.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seymills
Don’t wait until you feel comfortable.
Don’t wait until you have it all figured out.
Don’t wait until you retire.
Don’t wait until everything is perfect.
Don’t wait until you have the approval of others.
Our time here is finite.
You don’t want to run out of time and be filled with “what if’s” and serious regrets.
This is your one precious life, spend time cultivating a friendship with yourself knowing who you are, what you want, and how you can live your life fully.
You are worthy. Your life today is THE something special.
@Sir_tomjones
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 mail address to the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead🙏🙏.
@dueyramone
Gonna pull a tangent here.
Likely not most folks taste, but always loved the visceral, hint of cynicism in the Jesus and Mary Chain arrangement.
Love Cohen, Tom's great.
But love the tweak the JMC brought to it.
It's cool if y'all hate it too. We all have our takes on what is aesthetic.
Didn't come to bitch, came to hear every take on this one as it touched folks.
Pretty good company from where I'm teetering.
@Sir_tomjones
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 mail address to the description and on the Channel banner. Thank you so much, may you have a beautiful day ahead🙏🙏.
@christianzafiroglu6705
A perfect example of “riveting restraint.”
He doesn’t oversing a single note. Other, younger singers would incinerate this. He goes for glow and slow burn. He serves the song impeccably. A master, this man.
@emmettogrady3085
The new generation of mumble singers could take notes from him. I found this song quite bland and underwhelming.
@chrisanderson1702
Two years down the road since the last comment, and have read all the beautifully sincere comments. I couldn't help but think that none of them seemed to do Tom justice, and it dawned on me that words simply cannot say enough to do him justice, what a beautiful being.....
@AtlChris
Tom's talent floors me. His voice has become even more beautiful with age and his ability to tackle songs like this with subtlety and grace is astonishing.
@gerulfdosinger9869
As you said. But not only this. It takes a lot for an artist to break what people might expect from what he or she performed for a long time. I am coming back to this song and his voice every so often. Maybe mostly only every year. And it touches me deeply every time, all the same. Not only the melody or Tom Jones voice but the sincerity of the presentation.
@pattinelson13
I have an inkling it has little to do with getting old. It has to do with being blessed beyond belief and living in the Tower of Song.
@mrMercurio1963
❤❤❤
@paulandhayleycorale
Legend
@shahidminhas1682
I couldn't agree more!
@bebeling1984
Hey Guys, its late for a comment Like mine on this Video but i cant stand this day without saying that you Sir Tom Jones gave my very best friend his power to survive till this DARK Day. Alexander Perl, one of your biggest Fans died today at the age of 37j after a long fight against his cancer and we and espacially ME as his Friend want to zu thank you for the Strange he took from your Music, from your personallity and your Strange you committed to him every day of his live here on Earth. I am a Fan too an we have Seen a Lot of audiences together. You Will Always be a Part of our History Sir Tom Jones! I am Sure He will listen to your Music in Heaven. Thank You Tom!