Some performances don’t need grand lighting, fireworks, or high notes to create magic. Sometimes, a single smile—a small, honest moment—can say everything. For Tom Jones, his performance of “La La La (Just Having You Here)” on TopPop became exactly that kind of memory: a moment fans still talk about decades later, when Tom wasn’t just singing—he was glowing. Known as the “Thunder from Wales,” Tom Jones built his career on powerful vocals, fiery charisma, and a stage presence that could electrify any room. But here, in this seemingly simple performance, he showed a different side. He wasn’t the world’s sex symbol. He wasn’t the superstar shaking arenas. He was a young man with soft eyes and a smile he couldn’t hide.
A small song, a big moment
“La La La (Just Having You Here)” was never a major hit in Tom’s catalog. It didn’t top charts, didn’t become one of his signature anthems. But maybe that’s exactly why this TopPop performance feels so rare. With no pressure to impress, Tom allowed himself to be natural—gentle even. During the chorus, as he sang the line “Just having you here…,” he smiled. Not a rehearsed smile. Not a stage smile. A real one.
Fans who grew up watching Tom often describe this performance as:
“The moment he sang like he was looking right at someone he loved.”
A rare tenderness from a powerful voice
Tom Jones is known for strength. For fire. For the kind of voice that could shake walls and break hearts. But in “La La La,” he chose tenderness. He held notes just a little longer. He softened his tone. He let his breath fall into the melody instead of powering through it. And that small smile kept returning—quiet, warm, almost shy. It was the kind of expression you give not to thousands of people, but to one person… somewhere in the room, or perhaps somewhere in his heart.
Why this moment stays alive in fans’ memories
What made this performance timeless wasn’t the vocal power—it was the vulnerability. In that moment, Tom wasn’t the global icon surrounded by adoring fans. He was simply a man feeling something genuine.
No one knows exactly what sparked that smile. Maybe a memory. Maybe someone backstage. Maybe just the joy of singing a sweet song on a quiet night. But the uncertainty only makes it more unforgettable.
Older fans often say:
“He could make a crowd scream, but that night he made my heart stop for a second.”
When simplicity becomes enough
“La La La” carries a simple message: sometimes, happiness is just having someone next to you. No drama, no fireworks—just presence. Tom Jones delivered that feeling perfectly. The softness in his eyes, the little tilt of his head, and that honest smile turned an overlooked song into a moment that feels intimate—almost like a secret shared between him and anyone watching. In a career filled with explosive performances and global hits, this gentle smile remains one of the purest memories of Tom Jones as a human being—not just a legend.