Singer Tom Jones at the National Television Awards in January 2017
Photo: Getty Images, Anthony Harvey. All rights reserved.
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The Rugby Union of Wales has banned Tom Jones’ pop hit ‘Delilah’. Choirs will not be allowed to sing the song at upcoming Six Nations tournament games, British media reports.
The reason for this is the lyrics of the song. Jones sings about a man who threatens and attacks his unfaithful partner with a knife. It could upset spectators, said the spokesman for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, which plays all of the Wales team’s home games. “Domestic violence of any kind” is condemned.
As early as 2015, the Welsh Rugby Union banned playing “Delilah” over the loudspeakers. Choirs and spectators have continued to sing the title so far. The trigger for the ban could be negative headlines in which the association was accused of a “toxic culture”. President Steve Phillips even resigned because of it. The Union announced independent investigations.
Rugby fans are upset with the decision. Welsh rugby pro Louis Rees-Zammit tweeted blankly: “All the things they have to take care of and then they do that first…”
All the things they need to do and they do that first….?
— Louis Rees-Zammit ⚡️ (@LouisReesZammit) February 1, 2023
Jones has not yet commented on the current ban. In the past he defended his song. It’s not political. “It’s about a man losing control,” said the 82-year-old. The song shouldn’t be taken literally. “I didn’t think while singing that I’m the man who kills the girl. I played a role,” he explained.
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