What do you think of when you think of Tom Jones?
For anyone who doesn’t know who he is, Tom Jones is a blue-eyed-soul and R&B singer who has been singing since the 1960s. He has a very distinctive voice and was behind huge hits including “What’s New Pussycat,” “She’s a Lady,” and “It’s Not Unusual.”
Beyond that, he’s also a judge on the UK’s version of The Voice. Still, although Jones is clearly a hugely successful singer with a ton of iconic hits under his belt, there’s a bit of sense today that he’s either washed up or a little bit corny.
As a recent performance of his shows, though, that’s just simply not true.
Jones made waves on The Voice when all the judges were feeling exhausted and wanted a little pick-me-up.
After a few moments of thinking about what might do the trick, everyone turns to Jones and asks if he might sing. At that suggestion, the crowd starts getting into the idea as well! Everyone starts cheering as Jones rises from his chair. After a moment, he turns to the house band. “Do you want to do ‘A Whole Lotta Shakin’?’” he asks them. Without even missing a beat, the band starts into the song.
Jones starts clapping to lead the audience before setting off into a pretty great performance.
Right as it starts, Jones is already showing what makes him such a huge star.
Although he’s definitely hitting the notes, the most distinctive thing is that he’s showing so much attitude and personality. After he sings through it a couple times, he quiets the band and starts to go a cappella. In fitting with his sultry lothario persona, he starts to talk to the crowd in a mischievous voice. To help with it, he turns directly to his fellow judge Jennifer Hudson as well. “All you’ve gotta do, honey, is kinda stand in one spot,” he says. “Wiggle it around just a little bit.”
Everyone in the crowd is giggling—Jones has complete control over the audience!
As everyone claps along, Jones starts singing again while the pianist improvises with him.
Although Jones is 78 years old, he proves beyond a doubt that he’s still as smooth and seductive as he ever was. Hudson can’t seem to help herself—she’s completely into the performance as well!
At the end of the song, everything builds up to a crescendo and the crowd cheers raucously! Because these shows are full of different performances and different shifts in the energy, it’s important to keep the audience excited.
And as it turns out, this isn’t the first time Jones has had to pull out his singing chops.
On another episode of the same season, the judges goad Jones into performing one of his biggest hits.
After a little bit of pressure, Jones starts singing “It’s Not Unusual” and everyone in the crowd loves it. Before long, he’s up out of his seat leading the crowd in celebration. Just like the other clip, his voice is as strong and powerful as ever—and his moves are completely on point. Once again, the entire crowd loses its mind.
After seeing these performances, we have to say that it’s official: Tom Jones has definitely never lost it.
Aside from the main competition that happens on shows like this, it’s so much fun to watch the judges interact with one another and the crowd.
Although many of the people on The Voice UK are younger than Jones, he proves again and again that he can easily hang with them—and if anything, they look up to him! Clips like this one show once again that how old you are is really just a matter of perspective. If you stay passionate and young in the mind, you’ll never truly have to age.
Thanks again, Tom, for reminding us all what makes you so great! Watch the entire clip below:
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