Sir Tom Jones, 85, found himself at the centre of unexpected drama during his headline performance at Cardiff Castle this week, when a mention of his iconic hit “Delilah” sparked loud boos from the crowd. 
The Welsh legend, performing the first of two sold-out shows at the historic venue on 20 August, thrilled fans with a setlist full of classics — from What’s New Pussycat? and I’m Growing Old to the ever-popular Sex Bomb. But when it came to discussing the controversy surrounding Delilah, the mood shifted instantly.
Once hailed as an unofficial anthem for Welsh rugby, Delilah was officially banned by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in 2023, after years of growing debate about its lyrics, which depict a man stabbing a woman after discovering her infidelity.
One of the song’s most infamous lines reads:
“I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door; she stood there laughing, I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more.”
Citing concerns about violence against women, the WRU ruled that the track should no longer be played during major sporting events, including at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. 
But at Wednesday night’s concert, Sir Tom didn’t hold back. Addressing the audience, the Voice UK judge openly questioned the decision to silence one of his most beloved songs.
“Who’s that man who said we shouldn’t sing that song anymore? That used to make my day during an international match,” he told the roaring crowd.
He doubled down, insisting that the song’s lyrics should never be taken literally:
“I used to wait for it, and then they said we can’t sing it anymore. They said it’s about a man killing his wife with a knife. Well, it is — but you shouldn’t take it literally.”
The audience responded with loud, supportive boos directed not at Tom, but at the ban itself, according to reports from WalesOnline.
Originally released in 1968, Delilah became an instant hit, climbing to number two on the UK charts and ending that year as the sixth-best-selling single. Over the decades, the song cemented its place in pop culture, featuring in the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, and even performed by Tom during Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
However, criticism of the song’s violent themes has been circulating for years. As early as 2014, Welsh folk singer Dafydd Iwan — whose anthem Yma O Hyd has become a rallying cry for Welsh football fans — spoke out against the track:
“It’s a song about murder, and it does tend to trivialise the idea of murdering a woman. It’s a pity these words have been elevated to the status of a secondary national anthem.”
Politicians also weighed in. In 2016, Rhondda MP Chris Bryant publicly condemned the song, linking its popularity during major rugby and football matches to a documented rise in domestic violence cases during live sports events.
“It is a simple fact that when there are big international rugby matches on — and sometimes football matches as well — the number of domestic violence incidents rises dramatically,” Bryant said.
“I know some people will say, ‘Oh, here we go, he’s a terrible spoilsport,’ but the truth is that the song is about the murder of a prostitute.”
A spokesperson for Principality Stadium reinforced the WRU’s decision, stating:
“Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs during rugby internationals at Principality Stadium. The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music playlist during international matches in 2015. Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.
The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song, and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”
Despite the backlash, Delilah remains one of Tom Jones’ most enduring hits — and judging by the reaction in Cardiff, the song still holds a powerful place in the hearts of many fans.
Source: Daily Mail
