Introduction
On April 21, 1968, Tom Jones made a memorable appearance on the legendary Ed Sullivan Show, delivering a powerful rendition of “Delilah” which has since become a touchstone in his live performance legacy.
“Delilah”, written by Barry Mason (lyrics) and Les Reed (music), was recorded in December 1967 and released as a single in early 1968. The song’s dramatic narrative — of jealousy, betrayal, and regret — struck a chord with audiences. It tells the story of a man who confronts his lover, Delilah, after seeing her betray him; in the heat of emotion, he kills her, then pleads for forgiveness. Its tension, emotional immediacy, and Tom’s commanding delivery made it one of his signature tracks.
When Tom took the Ed Sullivan stage that evening, he was already an International star, known for hits like “It’s Not Unusual”. That night, Sullivan introduced him with warmth; Jones began with “It’s Not Unusual”, moved into “Danny Boy”, then concluded with “Delilah”. This medley structure highlighted his versatility — from pop to ballad to dramatic storytelling
One notable anecdote from that broadcast: producers reportedly asked Jones to alter a lyric — “At break of day when the man drove away” — which they felt was too suggestive about infidelity. Jones later dismissively called the demand “such bullshit.”
That Ed Sullivan performance helped cement “Delilah” as more than a hit song; it became a dramatic milestone in Jones’s career, showing how a powerful narrative, combined with vocal intensity and stage presence, can turn a studio track into a lasting moment in television music history.