Introduction
Sex Bomb: A Bold Return for the Legendary Voice
Released as part of Tom Jones’s cover-heavy album Reload, “Sex Bomb” stands out as the only original composition on a disc dominated by reimagined classics. The song was first issued in Europe in November 1999 and arrived on UK shelves in May 2000, marking a striking comeback for the Welsh powerhouse singer .
Songwriters and Production
Penned and produced by German-Turkish house music luminary Mousse T. alongside songwriter Errol Rennalls, “Sex Bomb” merges infectious dance-pop grooves with Tom Jones’s commanding stage presence . Mousse T., renowned for his 1998 club anthem “Horny ’98,” brought a fresh, disco-fuelled energy that both modernized Jones’ sound and reaffirmed his star status .
Chart-Topping Success
“Sex Bomb” quickly transcended expectations, soaring to number one in France and Switzerland and cracking the top-three across a swathe of European charts—including Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Wallonia, and the UK . Its success was a commercial triumph, reinvigorating public interest in Jones’s catalog and helping Reload gain renewed momentum .
Remixes and Musical Flair
A notable Peppermint Disco Mix, also produced by Mousse T. (with the Royal Garden trio), injects extra dance-floor sparkle by sampling Sister Sledge’s “All American Girls” . Furthermore, Mousse T. revisited the track in a more jazz-influenced “Sexbomb (Swing)” rendition, featured on his solo debut Gourmet de Funk .
Visuals and Legacy
The music video, directed by Barry Maguire, cheekily embraced the song’s playful sensuality, cementing “Sex Bomb” as not just a chart hit, but a cultural phenomenon of the turn-of-the-millennium era .
Video