8 BEST TOM JONES SONGS

Ahead of Tom Jones’ performance at the Drive tonight, we look back at the Welsh legend’s career and highlight his best songs.

Words by Tobias Handke

Image via @SirTomJones (Facebook)

At 83 years of age, Tom Jones is a force to behold. He’s still recording new music and touring regularly and doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon. With a career spanning seven decades, there isn’t much the Welsh legend hasn’t achieved, with countless chart hits, two BRIT Awards to his name a list of collaborations with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison that would make any musician jealous.

Currently in Australia as part of this year’s Bluesfest, Jones is also playing several solo shows around the country, including The Drive tonight in Adelaide. In celebration of the great man’s career and performance this evening, here’s a look at some of the best Tom Jones songs that defined the singer’s career.

It’s Not Unusual (1965)

Nobody knew who the hell Tom Jones was when he released the single 'It's Not Unusual' in 1965. Just Jones' second single, the song was a monster hit, hitting the top of the UK Singles Charts. 

Originally intended for Sandie Shaw, after she heard Jones’ rendition of the song, she was suitably impressed and told him to release the song himself.

The song changed Jones’ life, turning him from a nobody to a somebody overnight and kick-starting his music career. Jones is indebted to Shaw, as he told Smooth Radio in an interview:

“I did the demo on this song when it was being offered to Sandie Shaw. I was just starting out and, God bless her, she said: 'Whoever's singing this, it's his song...’ I'm indebted to Sandie for being so generous."

The song remains a favourite among Jones fans today and is a karaoke mainstay.

Thunderball (1965)

‘Thunderball’ doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It’s arguably one of the most underrated Bond themes and is an incredible showcase of Tom Jones’ vocal talents.

Johnny Cash originally wrote a song for the Bond flick Thunderball, but that was rejected and Jones was brought in to sing a new track written by composer John Barry and lyricist Don Black.

The result is a powerful theme tune that has all the grandiose appeal of a Bond song. Jones put so much into the song that he almost passed out while hitting the final note.

“I closed my eyes and I held the note for so long when I opened my eyes the room was spinning,” he recalled, as reported by Far Out Magazine.

Green Green Grass of Home (1966)

First recorded by singer Johnny Darrell before country singer Porter Wagoner made in famous in 1965, 'Green, Green Grass of Home' really hit with audiences when Tom Jones recorded a version of it the following year. 

Despite the depressing subject matter – a man on death row dreaming about returning home – the song was another #1 hit for Jones, hitting the top of the charts on December 1 and staying there for seven weeks.

Delilah (1968)

The second song about death that proved succsful for Tom Jones, 'Delilah' features a brass arrangemnet and lyrics about Jones killing his partner after catching her in bed with another man. 

It’s a bombastic tune that’s slightly over the top, with Jones’ voice soaring over the instrumentation. The chorus is catchy as hell and one you can’t help but sing along with.

‘Delilah’ wasn’t without controversy, with the producers of The Ed Sullivan Show trying to make Jones change a certain lyric when performing live on the show. He refused and sang the original lyrics, calling it “such bullshit” in his autobiography Over the Top and Out.

She’s a Lady (1971)

Written and released by Paul Anka, 'She's a Lady' became another huge hit for Tom Jones.

The song allowed the crooner to embrace his sex appeal as he sings about his favourite lady and why he loves her.

Although a little chauvinistic, the song is loved by many and remains Jones’ highest-charting single in the US.

Kiss (1988)

Tom Jones experienced a bit of a chart drought during the 80s until the single 'A Boy from Nowhere' saw him reaach #2 on the UK Single Charts, his first top five hit since 1971. 

While a tremendous song, it was Jones’ collaboration with Art of Noise that saw him become relevant in the world of pop music again.

The electronic act and Jones covered Prince’s ‘Kiss’ after Art of Noise saw him perform the song in Vegas on television. It became a top ten hit in several countries and peaked at #18 on the US Dance Charts.

The song not only helped Art of Noise grow their profile, but it re-energised Jones’ career.

Burning Down the House (1999)

Tom Jones reinvented himself with Reload, an album featuring the Welsh god dueting with a range of new and old artists, including Van Morrison, Robbie Williams, Portishead and more.

One of the first tracks taken from the album was ‘Burning Down the House’, a cover of the Talking Heads hit with Swedish act the Cardigans.

The cover was a big hit in Europe and Australia and opened Jones up to a brand new era of fans who had never heard of him.

Sexbomb (1999)

It makes sense that Tom Jones would sing a song called ‘Sexbomb’. The Welsh lothario has been sending ladies wild for decades, as evidenced by the panties flung on stage during his performances, something that still happens to this day.

Another hit single from his Reload album, ‘Sexbomb’ was an original tune performed in collaboration with German DJ and record producer Mousse T.

Chock full of sexual innuendo and hilarious ad-libs from Jones, the song is a flirtatious ode to carnal desire that was a top five hit in 16 countries and still gets played in nightclubs around the world today.

Tom Jones plays The Drive tonight, Tuesday March 26. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.

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