She's a Lady - Tom Jones (1971) 7/7/22

There's an amusing little story behind today's "Great Song of 1971:" "She's a Lady" by Tom Jones.

Perhaps you already know that the song was actually written by Paul Anka. In fact, Paul recorded it first...BUT...it was intended for Tom all along.

Tom's manager, Gordon Mills, had asked Paul to write a song for Tom that would be a hit in America--a pretty tall order.

Shortly thereafter, Paul was on a flight from England back to his native Canada, and started giving it some serious consideration. After a minute or so, Paul thought to himself: "Tom Jones. Women." And the rest was history.

Before long, Tom had his biggest American hit ever, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #4 on the Easy Listening Chart.

(Note: You gotta love Tom's Welsh accent: "She's got style, she's got grace, she's a Weenah").

In Canada, the song topped the Top 40...which gave Paul his first #1 in his home country--albeit as a songwriter. (Nothing to sneeze at!)

In 1998, Paul released a really cool funked-up version of the song--with Tom also featured on the track. It also featured some new lyrics to take out some of the '70s style chauvinism.

"She's a Lady:" a "Great Song of the '70s (and '90s)" by Tom Jones and, of course, Paul Anka.

Tom (1971):

Paul & Tom (1998):