The Road

Album: 24 Hours (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this confessional ballad, Tom Jones addresses his infidelities but adds that however far and often he has strayed, he has always returned home to his wife Linda, who married him more than 50 years ago.
  • Jones told The Sun newspaper about the original inspiration for this song: "Lisa Green, who was involved in the whole songwriting process, said, 'You've got a wife?' I replied, 'Yeah, known her since I was 16'. And she said, 'Wow, your wife's still with you!' That started her going and she came up with 'The road always leads back to you'."
  • In an interview with The Guardian newspaper October 25, 2008, Jones started reciting some of the song's lyrics: "'I have felt weakness when I was strong, felt sweetness when I was wrong.'" He then went on to say, "Linda wouldn't say to me, 'What d'you mean by that?' No, she wouldn't do that. The thing that she likes more than anything else is, 'But the road always leads back to you.' And that 's the truth. I will never leave my wife. It never entered my mind." They've been apart a lot, he says. "But we are still in love with one another. You know, we're not sexually like we were, but we are still in tune with one another, we can still have fun with one another, we still talk. She's still the Welsh girl I married."
  • The Sun asked Jones if Linda had heard this song. He replied: "She hasn't commented on it and I haven't spelled it out but she loves the album."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.