Honestly, if you haven’t seen a video of Sir Tom Jones casually belting out a blues number from his big red chair on The Voice UK lately, you’re missing out on a masterclass. The man is 85 years old. Most people his age are content with a quiet garden and a crossword. But Tom? He’s still hitting notes that would make a 20-year-old’s vocal cords snap like dry twigs.
It’s easy to dismiss him as the "panty-pelting" caricature of the 1970s Vegas strip. You know the one—the tight trousers, the unbuttoned shirts, the sweat. But that’s just a tiny slice of the story. The best of Tom Jones isn’t found in the kitsch; it’s found in a voice that has somehow survived six decades of relentless touring without losing its tectonic power. He is, quite literally, a vocal freak of nature.
The Songs You Know (And the Ones You Think You Know)
When we talk about his hits, everyone goes straight to "It’s Not Unusual." It’s the law. Released in 1965, that brassy, upbeat earworm was actually intended for Sandie Shaw. Tom recorded the demo, and he was so good they couldn't give it to anyone else. It’s iconic, sure. But is it his best?
Take "Delilah." It’s a dark, murderous waltz that has somehow become a stadium anthem for rugby fans. It’s weird if you think about the lyrics too hard. Then there’s "Green, Green Grass of Home." Most people don’t realize it’s a song about a man on death row dreaming of his execution. Tom took a country standard and turned it into a soulful, heartbreaking powerhouse. That’s his secret. He doesn't just sing; he inhabits.
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- "It's Not Unusual" (1965): The breakout. Pure 60s energy.
- "What's New Pussycat?" (1965): Burt Bacharach at his most chaotic.
- "Thunderball" (1965): He supposedly fainted in the booth hitting the final high note of this Bond theme.
- "Delilah" (1968): The ultimate pub singalong about, uh, domestic homicide.
- "She's A Lady" (1971): Written by Paul Anka. Pure 70s swagger.
- "Kiss" (1988): His collaboration with Art of Noise. He stole Prince’s song and made it his own.
- "Sex Bomb" (1999): The comeback that proved he could still dominate a dance floor at 60.
The 1990s Rebirth and the "Reload" Era
By the late 80s, Tom was dangerously close to becoming a nostalgia act. He was stuck in the Vegas loop. Then, his son Mark took over as his manager and did something radical: he told his dad to stop trying to be Sinatra and start being Tom Jones again.
The 1988 cover of Prince's "Kiss" changed everything. It was cool. It was edgy. It led to the 1999 album Reload, which featured collaborations with everyone from The Cardigans to Robbie Williams. "Mama Told Me Not to Come" with the Stereophonics is a genuine banger. If you haven’t heard it in a while, go back and listen to how he interacts with Kelly Jones’ gritty vocals. It’s a masterclass in sharing the spotlight while still owning the room.
Why His Voice Hasn’t Failed
How does he do it? Most singers lose their top end by their 50s. Their vibrato gets wide and wobbly. Tom’s voice has actually gotten deeper and richer, moving from a bright tenor-leaning baritone to a "full-throated, robust baritone" that sounds like it’s vibrating from the center of the earth.
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He’s been open about his "secret weapon" lately: Vocalzones. He swears by these throat pastilles. Jeremy Clarkson once told him they taste "disgusting," but Tom doesn't care. He uses them to keep his voice clear and hydrated. But it’s more than just lozenges. He has incredible technique. He hits high notes "from above"—a classical approach that prevents strain. He’s also a big believer in "inverted" hanging therapy to decompress his spine, which he claims helps his overall health and breath support.
The Recent Years: Surrounded by Time
If you want to hear the best of Tom Jones in the modern era, you have to listen to his "reclamation" trilogy: Praise & Blame (2010), Spirit in the Room (2012), and Long Lost Suitcase (2015). These weren't pop albums. They were raw, bluesy, and stripped back.
His 2021 album, Surrounded By Time, made him the oldest male artist to ever have a Number 1 album in the UK. The track "I'm Growing Old" is devastating. It’s a slow, piano-led meditation on aging. When he sings "I'm growing old / I'm losing my hair," it feels incredibly vulnerable. It’s a far cry from the "Sex Bomb" days, and honestly? It’s better.
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The Best of Tom Jones: A Listener's Strategy
If you're looking to really dive into his catalog, don't just buy a "Greatest Hits" CD from a gas station. You need a better plan.
- Start with the 60s: Listen to the Live at the Talk of the Town (1967) album. You can hear the raw power before the Vegas polish took over.
- The "Lost" 70s: Check out his country-soul period. "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" is a hidden gem from 1977 that hit #1 on the US Country charts.
- The Collaborations: Watch his 1969-1971 TV show, This Is Tom Jones. He duets with Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin. He holds his own against every single one of them.
- The Modern Era: Listen to "I Won't Crumble With You If You Fall" from 2021. It’s a song dedicated to his late wife, Linda. It’s arguably the most emotional vocal he’s ever recorded.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Fan Experience:
- Curate a "Genre-Buster" Playlist: Mix "Delilah" with his cover of The Waterboys' "This Is the Sea" and his version of Bob Dylan’s "Not Dark Yet." You’ll see the range.
- Watch the Live Footage: Find his performance of "Sex Bomb" from the 2023-2024 tour. He’s rearranged it into a slow, funky blues crawl that is much cooler than the original.
- Study the Technique: If you're a singer, look up "Tom Jones vocal analysis" on YouTube. Modern coaches are obsessed with how he maintains his laryngeal position at 80+.
- Check the 2026 Tour Dates: Sir Tom is still touring. Seeing him live isn't just a trip down memory lane; it’s a legitimate vocal event.
Tom Jones isn't just a survivor. He’s an evolving artist who refused to stay in the box the 1960s built for him. Whether he's singing gospel, country, or electronic dance music, that voice—that singular, Welsh roar—is what makes him a legend.