How a Rejected Demo Became the Song That Launched a Legend
When “It’s Not Unusual” burst onto British radio in early 1965, audiences thought the voice behind it belonged to an established American soul singer. Few could believe it was a 24-year-old Welsh newcomer named Tom Jones — a baritone so powerful it practically shook the microphone. But behind the track that would become Jones’ breakthrough hit is a lesser-known story involving a chance opportunity, a rejected demo, and a bold producer who insisted on capturing Jones’ raw, untamed sound.
The song was written by Les Reed and Gordon Mills, the latter being Jones’ newly minted manager. Originally, the pair envisioned the tune for another rising act. Mills believed Tom’s voice was too intense, too emotional for what he thought should be a lighter, pop-leaning number. But fate intervened when Jones stepped into the studio to cut a simple demo for the intended artist. The moment he opened his mouth, the room shifted — the demo was electrifying.
What happened next became part of Tom Jones lore. The track was never sent to the original artist. Mills and Reed decided that only one person could carry the explosive mix of rhythm, swagger, and joy the song required — Tom Jones. Producer Peter Sullivan then took the project further, building an arrangement that fused big-band brass, modern pop rhythms, and Jones’ unmistakably soulful delivery.
Recording the song wasn’t a smooth process. Jones’ voice was so powerful that engineers had trouble controlling the levels. Several takes were discarded because the mic literally distorted. But the team soon realized that this raw force was the key ingredient. Instead of trying to soften Jones, they leaned into the energy, letting him shape the track with his signature vocal attack.
When the single was released, BBC radio initially hesitated, calling it “too wild.” Yet pirate radio stations in the UK and influential DJs abroad began playing it relentlessly. Within weeks, “It’s Not Unusual” shot to No. 1 on the UK charts, later becoming a Top 10 hit in the United States — a rare accomplishment for a new British artist at the time.
More importantly, the song defined Tom Jones’ early image: bold, dramatic, charismatic, and impossible to ignore. It also marked the beginning of his long partnership with Gordon Mills, who helped steer Jones toward international superstardom.
Today, “It’s Not Unusual” remains one of the most recognizable pop-soul hits of the 1960s — a song born from a demo that was never supposed to see daylight, sung by a young Welshman determined to take his chance when it finally arrived.