Some people seem destined to take the stage, and Sir Tom Jones is undeniably one of them. His love for music shines through in every song he sings. Not only his voice that draws you in but also the joy he brings to the stage, ensuring that every show leaves you feeling a little lighter and a lot happier.
In a memorable segment on The Voice UK, Olly Murs playfully asked Sir Tom Jones about his first big hit, “It’s Not Unusual,” before slyly saying “I haven’t heard it in such a long time, that song.” Not one to disappoint, seconds after the band’s preparation, Sir Tom quickly jumped in and gave the audience his classic hit in flawless style.
At nearly 80 years old during the performance, Sir Tom Jones proved his voice was still as powerful as ever.
If you recall the original recording of “It’s Not Unusual” from 1964, his live rendition on The Voice felt almost identical, remarkably little has changed about his ability to deliver the goods.
The crowd was loving every moment, and even judge Meghan Trainor couldn’t hide her admiration, watching him with the excitement of a fan seeing her idol up close.
The segment also featured a captivating interview between Olly Murs and Sir Tom Jones, shedding light on the story behind “It’s Not Unusual.” Sir Tom shared, “I recorded ‘It’s Not Unusual’ when I was 24, and it went to number one.” It was an impressive debut for the then-unknown artist and marked the beginning of his legendary career.
Tom revealed that he cut the track at the end of 1964, with its release coming in early 1965. Initially, the song was intended for Sandie Shaw, for whom he recorded a demo. However, after hearing the demo, Shaw felt that Sir Tom’s version was so powerful that it should be his. Sir Tom then re-recorded it for its official release, convinced from the beginning that it was destined to be a hit.