Tom Jones & Wilson Pickett — Medley “Barefootin’ / In the Midnight Hour / Hey Jude” on This Is Tom Jones (1970)
In the late 1960s, the television show This Is Tom Jones (UK origin) became a special stage where the Welsh singer Tom Jones would invite major American music legends—especially from the soul genre—to perform in a variety of musical settings spanning pop, rock, soul, and R&B.
One of the performances that fans still remember vividly is the medley collaboration between Tom Jones and Wilson Pickett during the show in 1970. Their set included three iconic songs: Barefootin’, In the Midnight Hour, and Hey Jude.
Context & Significance
Wilson Pickett’s legacy in soul
Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) is celebrated as a towering figure in American soul music, credited with hits like In the Midnight Hour, Mustang Sally, Land of 1000 Dances, Funky Broadway, among others.
His sharing the stage with Tom Jones—renowned for his powerful, genre-crossing voice—on a British television show underscores a rare cultural and musical bridge between the UK and US music scenes.
This Is Tom Jones — a melting pot of talent
This Is Tom Jones aired from 1969 to 1971 for a total of 65 episodes, and the show was also exported to the U.S. Beyond Jones’s performances, the series featured guest stars such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Janis Joplin, and many others. Among all the duets that occurred, the Jones–Pickett collaboration is often cited as one of the most electrifying, thanks to their blending of styles and vocal chemistry.
Performance Breakdown & Listening Experience
Song selection & medley structure
The medley comprises three tracks:
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Barefootin’ — an upbeat, danceable soul/R&B number.
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In the Midnight Hour — one of Pickett’s signature songs and a soul classic.
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Hey Jude — a surprising addition from The Beatles, reimagined in a soul-inflected performance.
Transitions between the songs are smooth yet dynamic: at times Tom leads, at times he cedes spotlight to Pickett, resulting in a performance that feels effortless yet passionate.
Vocal dynamics & emotional tone
Pickett brings a raw, soulful intensity; Jones provides robust vocal strength and flexibility. Their voices alternate and intertwine in a way that makes the performance varied, yet cohesive.
When they arrive at Hey Jude, listeners may be surprised by the soulful reinterpretation, far removed from the original Beatles rock-pop version, but all the more powerful for its freshness. Many have described that moment as jaw-dropping.
As one commentary put it:
“When Tom Jones plugged in with Wilson Pickett — everything exploded … especially their rendition of Hey Jude.”
Aftermath & Legacy
Once this clip resurfaced online, many listeners discovered an overlooked gem—an extraordinary musical moment that merges soul and pop in unexpected harmony. In lists of Tom Jones’s greatest duets, this particular medley often ranks among the top — celebrated as one of the more memorable cross-genre collaborations in his career.
Conclusion
The medley between Tom Jones and Wilson Pickett on This Is Tom Jones is a musical gem—simultaneously smooth and fiery, familiar yet unexpected. Whether you first heard Hey Jude as a Beatles classic or a soul reinvention, this performance reminds us that great music transcends genre labels. It’s a testament to two powerful voices, daring to reinterpret and surprise, and to a show willing to bring together voices from opposite sides of the Atlantic.