Tom Jones And Jessie J's Duet Of Righteous Brothers’ Hit Is Striking

Nov 23, 2020 by apost team

Tom Jones is an absolute singing legend, and at 80 years old, he has an incredible career behind him to prove it. Meanwhile, Jessie J, well known in her own right as a talented musician, still has a long career ahead of her, as she's still only 32 years old.

In an incredible performance together at the Grammy Awards in 2015, the duo performed the Righteous Brothers' hit You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' and showed off not only their unique talents but came together for a memorable duet that still has us talking.

The Welsh musician Tom Jones needs no introduction. Across multiple generations, his smooth low baritone voice has become synonymous with romance and love—his playful yet sexy songs It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat, and She's A Lady are among many in his long, illustrious repertoire. His breakout hit It's Not Unusual came out all the way back in 1965—that's 55 years ago!—and ever since Tom's career has gone from strength to strength. 

Meanwhile, young songstress Jessie J, who also hails from the UK, has been in the spotlight for some time, but not nearly as long as Sir Tom Jones! She got her start in a musical on London's West End at the tender age of 11, but in the following years turned her focus solely to music. The last decade has seen the 32 year old in the spotlight, releasing albums and performing at such momentous events as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert and the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

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Whoever thought to get these two experienced and notable musicians together clearly had a vision, and that vision came to life in the most beautiful way at the Grammy Awards in 2015. What's more, Tom and Jessie didn't perform just any song together, they performed the Righteous Brothers' 1964 hit You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'.

The song was written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, and was noted as a great example of Spector's Wall of Sound recording technique. The popular song was both a critical and commercial success and reached number one in both the States and the UK. It's since become a classic and has been covered many times including by the likes of Elvis, Nancy Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, The Human League, Hall and Oates, and many more. 

You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' hasn't really dipped out of favor in the last decades, but it did experience an extra resurgence back in the '80s after it appeared in the movie Top Gun. In the memorable scene, Tom Cruise sings the song to his romantic interest while they're in a crowded bar. But now in the last few years, who would have ever thought Tom Jones and Jessie J would collaborate together on the song, and in a live setting at that!

In their performance at the Grammy Awards, the pair are dressed in matching black—Tom wears a dapper suit with a sparkly black tuxedo jacket, while Jessie wears an absolutely stunning black gown with sheer panels and graphic black details. They look elegant and timeless, which also describes the song that they're about to sing.

Tom begins singing the first verse, with the opening lines: "You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips..." He's 75 years old in the video, but you wouldn't think it. Soon after Jessie begins the second verse and beautifully matches the style in which Tom is singing—there is no competing between these two, just pure collaboration and focus on the music. At the time of the performance, Jessie was 27 years old, making their age gap 48 years! This incredible duet proves that talent does not discriminate by age. Tom and Jessie's incredible partnership here proves their natural talents as singers and maturity as performers, as they work together to bring this revered song to life in a fresh new way.

As they hit the chorus together, the audience and viewers at home remember the nostalgic sounds of the Righteous Brothers' classic track, as Tom and Jessie breathe new life into the song. Their chemistry is wonderful together and it's clear they're in sync and having fun during the performance. By the end, viewers are moved, whether they remember the original or not—what was just witnessed was an incredible display of musical talent.

What's your favorite version of the Righteous Brothers' You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'? Do you think Tom Jones and Jessie J did a good job? Let us know in the comments, then be sure to pass this on to your friends and family!