Honestly, if you walked into a pub in 1965 and told the locals that the guy singing about a "Pussycat" would still be hitting number one on the album charts sixty years later, they’d have probably laughed you out of the building. But here we are. Sir Tom Jones isn't just a relic of the "British Invasion" era; he's a vocal powerhouse who has managed to outlast almost all of his contemporaries.
When people search for tom jones songs greatest hits, they’re usually looking for a nostalgia trip. What they find instead is a masterclass in survival.
Most singers lose their "instrument" by their 70s. Tom? His voice has actually gotten deeper, richer, and somehow more intimidating with age. He’s the "Jones the Voice" for a reason. Whether it's the brassy, bombastic energy of the mid-60s or the stripped-back, haunting soul of his recent work with producer Ethan Johns, the man knows how to pick a song.
The Big Three: What Everyone Gets Right (And Wrong)
You can't talk about a compilation of his work without the heavy hitters.
"It’s Not Unusual" is basically the blueprint. Released in early 1965, it wasn't even supposed to be his song. He recorded the demo for Sandie Shaw, but once the producers heard that raucous, soulful delivery, there was no way they were giving it to anyone else. It hit No. 1 in the UK and broke the Top 10 in the US. It's the song that launched a thousand Carlton dances.
Then there’s "Delilah." People think of it as a fun singalong. It’s a staple at Welsh rugby matches. But have you actually listened to the lyrics? It’s a dark, murderous ballad about a man stabbing a woman in a fit of jealous rage. It’s incredibly grim. Yet, in the hands of Tom Jones, it became a stadium anthem. That's the power of his charisma—he can make a tragedy feel like a party.
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The Country Pivot
By 1966, the initial "pop star" momentum was slowing down. His manager, Gordon Mills, made a genius move. He shifted Tom toward country-influenced material.
"Green, Green Grass of Home" was the result. It stayed at No. 1 for seven weeks in the UK during the Christmas season. It’s a song about a prisoner dreaming of home before his execution. It’s sentimental, sure, but it proved Tom could do more than just shimmy in tight trousers. He could tell a story.
The Era of the Reinvention
The 70s were weird for a lot of 60s icons. Tom spent a lot of time in Las Vegas. He bought Dean Martin’s house. He hung out with Elvis Presley. Actually, Elvis used to warm up his voice by singing "Delilah" before his own shows. That’s a real thing.
"She's a Lady" (1971) was his biggest US hit, written by Paul Anka. It’s a bit dated now, lyrically speaking, but the vocal performance is undeniable. After that, things went a bit quiet on the charts for a while.
Then came 1988.
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Nobody expected a collaboration with the electronic group Art of Noise. Their cover of Prince’s "Kiss" was a massive risk. It could have been a disaster. Instead, it won an MTV Video Music Award and introduced Tom to a whole new generation who had no idea who "Pussycat" was.
Why Reload Changed Everything
If you’re looking at a tom jones songs greatest hits collection today, the 1999 album Reload is the reason it’s so diverse.
- "Sex Bomb": The duet with Mousse T that became a global club hit.
- "Mama Told Me Not To Come": A collaboration with the Stereophonics that proved he could still rock.
- "Burning Down the House": Covering Talking Heads with The Cardigans? It shouldn't work. It does.
He wasn't just "classic Tom" anymore. He was a collaborator. He was cool again.
The Modern Era: Surrounded by Time
In 2021, Tom Jones did something nobody expected. At 80 years old, he released Surrounded by Time and it went straight to No. 1 in the UK. He became the oldest male artist to ever have a No. 1 album of new material, knocking Bob Dylan off that pedestal.
This wasn't an album of "What's New Pussycat" clones. It was experimental. It used spoken word, loops, and deep, atmospheric blues. It showed that he isn't afraid to get weird.
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Building the Perfect Tom Jones Playlist
If you’re looking to truly understand why he matters, you can’t just stick to the radio edits. You need the deep cuts and the live versions.
- "I (Who Have Nothing)": This is arguably his best vocal performance. It’s pure drama.
- "Thunderball": Most Bond themes are cool, but Tom actually fainted in the booth after hitting the final high note. That’s commitment.
- "A Boy From Nowhere": From the musical Matador. It’s a huge, sweeping ballad that rescued his career in 1987.
- "Tower of Song": His cover of Leonard Cohen. It’s self-referential and incredibly moving coming from a man who has lived several lifetimes in the industry.
What Most People Miss
People often dismiss Tom as just a "crooner" or a "sex symbol." That’s a mistake. He grew up in Pontypridd, Wales, the son of a coal miner. He had tuberculosis at age 12 and spent two years in bed. He listened to American R&B and blues on the radio because he had nothing else to do.
That grit is still there. He’s a "shifter," as the New York Times called him. He can move from gospel to techno-pop without losing his soul.
When you listen to his tom jones songs greatest hits, you aren't just hearing a guy sing. You’re hearing 60 years of musical history. You’re hearing a guy who stood on stage with Janis Joplin, duetted with Aretha Franklin, and coached kids on The Voice.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to go beyond the basics, here is how to truly experience the legacy:
- Watch the 1969/1971 TV specials: Specifically, find the clip of him singing with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He absolutely holds his own against their harmonies.
- Listen to the "Praise & Blame" album: This 2010 release stripped away the Vegas glitz and went back to his roots—blues and gospel. It’s the rawest he’s ever sounded.
- Check the 2026 Tour Dates: Sir Tom is still touring. Seeing him live is the only way to realize that the "Voice" isn't a studio trick. It’s a force of nature.
Don't just settle for the "Best Of" CD in the bargain bin. Dig into the live recordings and the recent collaborations. You'll find that the real Tom Jones is a lot more complicated—and a lot more talented—than the guy who just sang about pussycats and Delilah.