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For those looking to explore his immense catalog, a "Greatest Hits" compilation is the perfect entry point. It is a showcase of a performer who can command a stage with raw power and nuance. 1. "It's Not Unusual" (1965) - The Breakthrough

Tom Jones's discography is a testament to his "fundamental interest in a wide range of music," covering everything from R&B and show tunes to gospel and soul. While he is famous for songs he didn't write, such as those offered by Paul McCartney or written by Paul Anka, he has also penned several tracks himself, proving his deep connection to the craft.

Enlisted by movie mogul Charles K. Feldman for the comedy film of the same name, Burt Bacharach and Hal David penned this wonderfully eccentric, waltz-timed track specifically for Jones. The singer initially thought the song was a joke, but his booming, playful performance turned it into an Oscar-nominated smash hit. "Green, Green Grass of Home" (1966)

In the late 80s, many artists of Jones' era were fading into nostalgia. Jones, however, reinvented himself. Teaming up with the synth-pop group Art of Noise for a cover of Prince’s "Kiss," he stripped away the big band sound for a minimalist, funky electronic beat. It was a massive critical and commercial success, proving he could still be contemporary.

The song that started it all. Originally intended for another artist, Jones recorded the demo, and his brassy, energetic delivery made it impossible to give to anyone else. It became his first number-one hit, instantly recognizable by its driving horn section and infectious rhythm.

What separates Tom Jones from his contemporaries is his refusal to become a nostalgia act. Any comprehensive greatest hits collection must include his late-80s and 90s resurgence. His 1988 cover of Prince’s Kiss with The Art of Noise was a masterclass in modernizing a classic sound. It introduced him to a younger generation and proved his voice was timeless. This trend continued with the 1999 album Reload, which featured the massive hit Sex Bomb. This track, infused with a contemporary dance beat, showed that Jones could still dominate the charts at an age when many of his peers had retired. A Legacy in Song

This collection brilliantly balances the classic standards with his 21st-century reinventions. Disc one includes essentials like the original "It's Not Unusual," "Delilah," and "What's New Pussycat?" alongside 90s and 2000s hits like the Art of Noise collaboration "Kiss," "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (with Stereophonics), and the global smash "Sexbomb". Disc two features more deep cuts and collaborations like "Stoned In Love" with Chicane and a medley from The Full Monty with Robbie Williams. For a fan wanting to explore the full scope of Tom Jones, this is the ultimate starting point.

This is where Tom Jones became a serious artist. A stark, mournful ballad about a prisoner returning to his hometown in a dream, only to wake up on death row. Jones delivers the twist with a devastating gravity that few pop stars could muster. This was his first UK No. 1 (It’s Not Unusual was No. 1 in the US but not the UK). It proves that behind the hip-shaking showman was a deep, melancholic soul.

When looking for a definitive collection, these albums offer the best coverage of his hits.

This cross-generational appeal culminated in the 1999 album Reload . The project consisted entirely of duets with contemporary rock and pop acts, including The Cardigans, Robbie Williams, and Cerys Matthews. The lead single, "Sexbomb," became a massive international club hit. Reload became the biggest-selling album of his career, proving that his vocal prowess and charisma were timeless. Late-Career Brilliance and Legacy

Partnering with the electronic avant-garde group Art of Noise, Jones covered Prince’s funk masterpiece. The collaboration was a stroke of genius, blending heavy electronic beats with Jones’ timeless vocal power. The music video became an MTV staple, revitalizing his career for the alternative rock era.