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."
We
Tom Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes we give, sometimes we won't
Sometimes we're strong, sometimes we're wrong
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
Sometimes it's bad when the going gets tough
And we look in the mirror and we want to give up
Sometimes we don't want to try
Well we're gonna have to sit down and think it through
If we're only human what more can we do
The only thing to do is eat humble pie
Sometimes we cry
'Fore they put me in a jacket, take me away
I'm not gonna fake it like Johnnie Ray
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
Sometimes we can't see anything straight
Sometimes everybody is on the make
Sometimes it's lonely on the lost highway
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
'Fore they put me in a jacket, and take me away
I'm not gonna fake it like Johnnie Ray
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
In the song Sometimes We Cry, Tom Jones explores the different emotional states a person can go through in life. The lyrics portray the human experience as being full of ups and downs. The first verse highlights the uncertainty of life - we may know what’s happening or not, we may give or not, we may be strong or wrong, and at times we would cry. The second verse speaks to the difficulty of life and how it can be overwhelming. We often want to give up, and we don’t want to try. At this point, we have to sit down and think things through, and sometimes it means having to eat humble pie. The last verse speaks to the different challenges that we may face in life. Sometimes things might not make sense, and everyone is consumed with their own agendas, other times, we may feel lonely or lost in our journey. In the end, the song's lyrics emphasize that life is a mix of experiences, and crying is a part of that experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes we know, sometimes we don't
There are times when we understand things and there are times when we do not.
Sometimes we give, sometimes we won't
At times we are generous, and other times, we are not willing to give anything.
Sometimes we're strong, sometimes we're wrong
We can be strong and right at times, but there are times when we are incorrect and weak.
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
There are moments when we become very emotional and break down in tears.
Sometimes it's bad when the going gets tough
It can be difficult when things get challenging and tough.
And we look in the mirror and we want to give up
We might lose confidence in ourselves and feel like quitting when we see ourselves in the mirror.
Sometimes we don't want to try
Some situations are so challenging that we do not even wish to attempt them.
Sometimes we cry
Such situations could make us cry.
Well we're gonna have to sit down and think it through
We might need to take some time to reflect and analyze the situation.
If we're only human what more can we do
Since we are human, we are bound to have limitations and cannot do anything beyond that.
The only thing to do is eat humble pie
The only option that remains is to accept the situation with humility.
Sometimes we can't see anything straight
Sometimes our perspectives are clouded, and we cannot see things clearly.
Sometimes everybody is on the make
At times, everyone is striving for personal gain and benefits.
Sometimes it's lonely on the lost highway
Sometimes, the journey we are on can feel lonely and desolate.
Fore they put me in a jacket, and take me away
This line suggests a fear of being deemed insane and institutionalized.
I'm not gonna fake it like Johnnie Ray
The singer expresses his intention to remain true to himself and not put up an act in front of others.
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Life can be unpredictable and range from moments of living to moments of dying.
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
We can be very emotional and cry in both good and bad times.
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Life can have its ups and downs, and we may experience moments of living and moments of dying.
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
We can express our emotions and cry in both happy and challenging times.
Sometimes we live, sometimes we die
Life can be both happy and tragic, with moments of living and dying.
Sometimes we cry, sometimes we cry
In any situation, we can become emotional and shed tears.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Subrina Pechacek
What a song with 2 of the best singers. I have never heard this song before but WOW. It gave me chills. I would of liked to see them in person singing this song. Well Done!
Sue Keane
Wow!! Doesn’t get any better than this!!
EV Augustini
NO, it does not! I am hearing this just now, how is that possible?! I've loved Tom Jones since I could walk, Van has always been amazing... together? Oh my god, magic. This is a time to cry over genius, it's still somewhere in our world and I have found it accidentally. Thank you gentlemen.
Edna Soares Brasil
Uau! Que dupla e banda espetacular e música com letra bem verdadeira! Parabéns!
Amei esta apresentação!❤❤❤❤❤
Linda Renninger
OMG!!
Two artists at their best !!
Thank you for this ❤️💛
Marie Smith
I'm saving this song with instructions to have it played at my funeral, when the time comes!
Peter Carrillo
A person after my own heart because sometimes we die and but sometimes everyone cries
Geertje Kromhout
Me too,I am crying every time I am listening ,emotions 😢
Samson Asmelash
Best comment ever!
Chuck Raley
As good as it gets. Great song by 2 awesome artist.