POP BITES: Tom Jones Feature Teaser

He’s a living legend, with a lifetime of experiences to match. But that doesn’t mean everything’s always gone to plan for Tom Jones, and he’s happy to spill the beans…

On…early criticism of his sexy image and trademark, tight trousers

When I first started out people were like, ‘Tom Jones: his singing is great, but his pants are too tight,’ which was a little annoying. But, looking back, maybe they were right? I’m surprised I didn’t sing a little higher wearing them. So, you’ve got to take the good with the bad - you have to take the blame with the praise - because you can’t always have it all, can you? That’s why I called [my new] album Praise & Blame, to reflect that.

On…the personal price of success

My wife loves the way I sing and loves what I do, but she still blames me for doing too much. That’s why she didn’t want to accompany me while I’m promoting this album - she thought I’d be too busy and too preoccupied. She’ll often say to me, ‘You don’t have to work as much. Why do you do that?’ and I’m like, ‘Because I have to.’ She knows that and goes along with it, but she isn’t happy about it and tells me, ‘I like being with you when you’re not doing this.’

For Tom Jones' thoughts on short sighted record companies, karma and the pitfalls of recording Praise & Blame live get the latest Rip It Up Magazine.

By Des Sampson

Read the whole article by Des Sampson plus loads more in the August/September 2010 issue of Rip It Up Magazine.