It's Not Unusual

This article is about the Tom Jones song. For the Dread Zeppelin album, see It's Not Unusual (Dread Zeppelin album). For the Tom Jones album, see It's Not Unusual (Tom Jones album).

"It's Not Unusual"
Single by Tom Jones
from the album Along Came Jones
B-side	"To Wait For Love" (Bacharach)
Released	January 1965 (UK) March 1965 (US)
Format	7"
Recorded	11 November 1964, Decca Studios, West Hampstead
Genre	Pop
Length	2:03
Label	Decca (UK)
Writer(s)	Les Reed, Gordon Mills
Producer	Peter Sullivan
Tom Jones singles chronology
"Chills and Fever" (1964) "It's Not Unusual" (1965) "Once Upon A Time" (1965)

"It's Not Unusual" is a song written by Les Reed and Gordon Mills, first recorded by a then-unknown Tom Jones after having first been offered to Sandie Shaw. Jones recorded what was intended to be a demo for Shaw, but when she heard it she was so impressed with Jones' delivery that she declined the song and recommended that Jones release it himself. The record was the second Decca single Jones released, reaching number one in the UK charts in 1965. It was also the first hit for Jones in the US, peaking at #10 in May of that year. The single was released in the US on the Parrot label and also reached #3 on Billboard's easy listening chart. Jones used this song as the theme for his late 1960s-early 1970s musical variety series This Is Tom Jones. It has since become Jones' musical signature.

The musical arranger was Les Reed. Although the guitar has been cited as having been provided by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Reed has clarified that the only guitarist was Joe Moretti, who was also known for his playing on Shakin' All Over and Brand New Cadillac. Jones's group "Tom Jones and the Squires" were missing their regular keyboard player for the session. Drummer Chris Slade (later to join AC/DC in the 1990s following a stint in The Firm with the aforementioned Jimmy Page) ran across the street to La Giaconda coffee house, in Tin Pan Alley, and a then-unknown teenage Keyboard player was recruited for the one day recording session. At the end of the session the band asked him his name, to which he replied "Reg". The young keyboard player was thanked and paid, and went on his way. About a year later Reg the keyboard player changed his name to Elton John.

References in popular culture

The song was covered by singer Elvis Costello during a scene in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me in which Austin Powers (Mike Myers) dances with Felicity Shagwell (Heather Graham) in London.

The song was often featured on the 1990s United States television sitcom series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as dancing music for Carlton Banks as he performed his signature "Carlton Dance".

The song was heard in the 1991 Canadian film Highway 61 as well as in the film's trailer.

The song was also included in an episode of The Simpsons entitled "Marge Gets a Job", which Jones guest-starred in. Tom Jones is revealed to be Marge Simpson's favorite singer. Near the end of the episode, Jones is performing "It's Not Unusual" for Marge and Homer Simpson while chained to a bandshell by his foot.

The song is sung in a 3rd Rock From The Sun episode by Officer Don Orville at a Karaoke bar.

In Sex and the City, the character Aidan Shaw sang the song in the shower as Carrie Bradshaw discovered an engagement ring in his gym bag.

In the Duck Dodgers episode "Talent Show A Go-Go", both Tom Jones and Duck Dodgers sing the song. First Duck Dodgers sings it with Tom's voice, then later Tom sings it with Dodgers' voice.

It appears in two of director Tim Burton's films, first in Edward Scissorhands and then again in Mars Attacks!, in which Tom Jones has a cameo role.

The song appears in the Terry Gilliam film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

The song was also played in one of the episodes of Will & Grace, "The Honeymoon's Over", in the Friends episode "The One in Vegas, Part One", and in an episode of The O.C., "The Links".

The song has been sang in the Glee episode, "The Purple Piano Project", by Darren Criss' character, Blaine Anderson.

This song can be heard in the 1996 movies House Arrest and Flipper.

The song was briefly featured as part of a clue sketch in the Season 4 episode "Medieval Evil" in the PBS game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

The Nostalgia Critic features it in his review of the 1986 film Rad.

Cover versions

• The Supremes recorded a version of this song for their Supremes A' Go-Go album, but was not included. It was recently released on a collection of Supremes unreleased recordings and rarities.
• Florence Ballard (ironically of The Supremes and featured on their version) recorded a version of this song in 1968 for her debut solo album entitled "You Don't Have To" that was shelved by ABC Records and left unreleased until the release of The Supreme Florence Ballard CD.
• Italian rock singer Little Tony performed a local version with the title "Non è normale " ("It's not usual") (sic !).
• American alternative band Wild Colonials covered the song, which appeared on their album Reel Life vol 1 (2000) and on the soundtrack of the Ellen DeGeneres film Mr. Wrong.
• Five Iron Frenzy covered this song on their live album Five Iron Frenzy LIVE: Proof That the Youth Are Revolting, and later released a studio recorded version on their album All the Hype That Money Can Buy.
• Cher recorded a version of the song on her 1966 record, The Sonny Side of Cher.
• Writer Les Reed and his orchestra also recorded an instrumental version on their 1971 record, Colour Me.
• Filipino singer/artist Sam Sorono (1950–2008) covered this song on his 1978 Sings Tom Jones' Greatest Hits LP album with EMI Records.
• The Wedding Present recorded a version included on the UK remastered re-release of their 1989 album, Bizarro.
• Darren Criss covered this song as his character Blaine Anderson in the first episode of season three of Glee, "The Purple Piano Project."

References

Czech pop singer Pavel Novak performed a local version with the title "Jeden tyden " ("It's not usual")

External links

• BBC interview of Tom Jones about the history, and development of the song

Preceded by "I'll Never Find Another You" by The Seekers

UK number-one single 11 March 1965 (1 week)

Succeeded by "The Last Time" by The Rolling Stones