Delilah is a powerful pop murder ballad made famous by Tom Jones. It was first recorded by P. J. Proby in November 1967, and Jones released his version in February 1968 from the album Delilah on Decca. Written by Les Reed and Barry Mason with music by Reed, the track runs about 3 minutes 20 seconds and was produced by Peter Sullivan. The lyrics tell a dark, jealous tale from the killerâs perspective, as a man follows Delilah after midnight, discovers her with another man, confronts her at dawn and kills her before awaiting the arrival of the police. The song became a worldwide hit, reaching number 1 in Germany, Switzerland and several other countries, peaking at number 2 in the UK and number 15 on the US charts, and earning Reed and Mason the 1968 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. It has left a lasting cultural imprint, becoming a Welsh rugby anthem, featuring in films like Edward Scissorhands, and inspiring a famous live cover by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in 1975 that reached the UK top 10; it also sparked debates about its violent lyrics when used at stadiums. Jones performed Delilah at the Queenâs Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012, and the track remains one of his signature songs.
