Delilah (Tom Jones song)

1968

Delilah is a song by the Welsh singer Tom Jones in 1968, written by Barry Mason and Les Reed. It reached # 1 on the charts in Germany and Switzerland, # 2 in the UK charts and # 15 in the U.S. charts.

Genesis

Gordon Mills, the manager of Tom Jones, wanted to try to more commercial songs to reach a wider audience with the singer. With Green, Green Grass of Home (1967 ), a first great success was achieved in this direction. The composer Les Reed had in 1964 co-wrote with Tom Jones Mills for the title It's Not Unusual, along with Barry Mason now was Delilah, which was originally intended for PJ Proby. In February 1968, the piece appeared in the version of Tom Jones.

Design and style

The text tells in first person the story of a man who feels betrayed by his Delilah ( I saw the flickering shadows of love on her blind). Although he is aware that this woman is not the right thing for him (I Could See that girl what no good for me ), he presents them to task, and when she laughed at him, he completely loses the socket and stabs her (I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more ). Aware of his crime, he does not flee, but expects his punishment and Delilah calls for forgiveness on.

For that told in the first person form ballads of tragic guilt that often end with his own death, there are some examples such as El Paso by Marty Robbins (1959) and Streets of Laredo by Johnny Cash (1965 ), but also successor like I Did What I Did for Maria by Tony Christie (1971).

The song is in 3/4-time and has a tempo of 192 bpm. The verses are orchestrated in A minor and dramatic. The lyrics to himself the drama dissolves into a simple melody on the triad tones of C major ( e' -c- g '). Accompanying the chorus of a two-part, mainly set in thirds trumpet figure.

Cover versions

The song has been covered by many other artists in other styles, such as 1975 by Alex Harvey, who finished in 7th place in the UK charts. In Germany ( 3rd place) and Austria (No. 1) was the version of Peter Alexander very successful, with German text by Kurt Feltz, who was also the producer. The German text was pretty much based on the original, only the tragic end had been significantly mitigated.

Credentials

• Pop song
• Song 1968
• Number -one hit