SIR Tom Jones, the renowned singer of the 1968 hit “Delilah,” expressed his strong disapproval of the song’s official ban by the Welsh Rugby Union earlier this year. The decision to ban the song came after it had not been used in rugby events since 2015. The ban was imposed due to concerns over the song’s depiction of domestic violence and its narrative of a murder committed by a jealous lover.
However, during a performance at Cardiff Castle on Friday, Sir Tom Jones addressed the crowd and passionately voiced his opposition to the ban. Before singing “Delilah,” he made it clear that the ban should not be a barrier to fans enjoying the song. In front of the Cardiff audience, he questioned the individual responsible for the ban, asking, “Who was the man who didn’t want us to sing Delilah?”
Asserting the indomitable spirit of fans, Sir Tom Jones emphasised that while the ban might have stopped the choir from singing “Delilah,” it couldn’t suppress the crowd’s enthusiasm for the beloved song. He stated, “He stopped the choir from singing, but he didn’t stop the crowd from singing it. And we will keep singing it too.”
The decision to ban “Delilah” had sparked debates about balancing respect for sensitive themes with the cultural significance of the song in rugby events. Nevertheless, Sir Tom Jones’ remarks at the Cardiff Castle event have reignited discussions about the freedom of expression and the enduring popularity of the iconic track. Fans remain determined to continue celebrating the song’s legacy, even amidst the controversy surrounding its lyrical content.
