Introduction
“Lazarus Man” is a song rich in cultural and spiritual depth, originally written and performed by multi-genre artist Terry Callier. Tom Jones included this powerful track on his 41st studio album, Surrounded by Time, released on April 23, 2021.
The song tells the story of a man named Lazarus, who, after experiencing near-death and resurrection, embarks on a journey of rediscovering life and searching for meaning. The character describes himself as a soul caught between two worlds—“one side is the garden, the other is the fire”—living once more but never truly at rest.
The live performance at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 2021 stands out as one of the most striking renditions of the track from this album. Captured in an official live video, the performance took place in an intimate venue but carried immense emotional weight. The staging featured haunting lighting and a soundscape infused with spiritual energy—bluesy guitar lines, tribal-like tom-tom drumming, and atmospheric keyboards, creating a supernatural aura.
With his powerful, resonant voice—remarkably undiminished in his eighties—Tom Jones transformed “Lazarus Man” from a meditative spiritual ballad into a climactic, emotionally charged live experience. The performance culminates in a dramatic jam session where Jones passionately declares: “I’m Lazarus Man!”, leaving the audience electrified.
In essence, “Lazarus Man” is more than just a song about resurrection and the search for meaning—it is a testament to Tom Jones’s enduring artistic vitality. Decades into his career, he continues to reinvent himself while delivering performances that move audiences across generations.