I remember when I was in Junior High School and first getting started listening to the radio (KPUG-Bellingham), there were only a few songs and artists that I liked AND that my folks could tolerate. I guess that’s the way it’s supposed to be. A generation later, I never cared much for the rap music my daughter got into either.
One of the songs everybody in our household liked, back when I was an impetuous youth of the sixties, was by Welsh singer Tom Jones. Granted, it is one of his less familiar songs if it’s compared to “It’s Not Unusual,” What’s Up Pussycat,” “Delilah,” or “She’s a Lady” but that says something about Tom Jones’ abilities as a hitmaker. In the US, “Green Green Grass of Home” peaked on Billboard charts at #11 on Feb. 17, 1967. And it did phenomenally well in the UK, reaching #1 and staying there for seven weeks. Since I spent years in country music radio, I can also tell you that Porter Wagoner recorded a hit version of this same song.
I created this video from a couple partial clips that were online. After editing them together, and syncing in a new soundtrack, I think it turned out pretty well. Since the clips were short, it begins with a spinning 45 record, but soon Tom steps in with one of his distinctive performances. (The video is at ad free Vimeo, so click on the play button 2x – first to go to Vimeo and again the start the video.)
May 31, 2020 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
Excellent job of syncing the recording with the video. Tom Jones was 25 years old when It’s Not Unusual hit the US Top 10 in 1965. Who can forget the sight of the ladies running toward the stage to throw their panties at Tom? Not sure where that tradition came from, but it continued throughout his career. I witnessed that silliness during two of Jones’ concerts in Vegas over the years. His voice was as rich in concert as heard on the original recordings. One of my faves, Tom Jones! Thanks for the video, Mike.
May 30, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Mike, did you figure it out when you were a kid….or older.
May 30, 2020 at QZVX
Mike Cherry says:
Steven – I figured it out as a kid after about 1/2 dozen listens after determining what the above-mentioned lyrics referred to.
May 30, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Mike, you were one of the smart ones. It went over my head. If I had really thought about it maybe I would have got it…but then my mom told me what it was all about.
May 30, 2020 at QZVX
Mike Cherry says:
I figured out what the lyrics were about after only several listens. The first line that caought my ear: “…as they lay me down ‘neath the Green Green Grass of Home” & then I figured out shortly thereafter what the”…4 gray walls that surround me…” lyric was referring to. It is a truly sad song. I’ve also heard the Tom Jones version played on country stations too Steven, in addition to the Porter Wagoner version, which is also tasty. The Grateful Dead & Flying Burrito Bros. both also covered this song in their own unique take on country music. Both bands regularly performed this live in concert.
May 30, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Martin….I have to admit that my mom explained that to me when I was 13. I did not confess to my naivette in my intro.
May 30, 2020 at QZVX
Martin R. Howell says:
A very sad song. For the longest time, I did not grasp that the tune was about a man soon to be executed.