It's impossible to resist belting out the lyrics to "Green, Green Grass of Home" whenever it plays on the radio. The song's nostalgic charm, evoking memories of home, is made even more special by the unmistakable voice of Wales' own Tom Jones. However, despite Tom's iconic rendition, many fans are unaware that the song's origins don't actually lie in Wales. While it's easy to assume otherwise, Tom wasn't the first artist to perform the hit. The song was penned by Claude "Curly" Putman Jr and initially recorded by Johnny Darrell in 1965.
Porter Wagoner's version, released the same year, brought the country song into the spotlight, reaching number 4 in the country chart. Other notable artists, including Bobby Bare and Jerry Lee Lewis, also recorded the song before Tom Jones made it his own. In 1966, Tom's rendition soared to number one, cementing its place in the hearts of generations to come. The song's timeless appeal lies in its ability to evoke a sense of longing for home. Even today, clips of Tom performing the song surface regularly on social media, with fans singing along without always knowing the song's true meaning.
The lyrics tell the story of a man returning to his childhood home for the first time in years, where he's greeted by his parents and sweetheart, Mary. His mind then wanders back to his childhood, and he reminisces about cherished moments, acknowledging "it's good to touch the green, green grass of home". However, the singer's reverie is abruptly shattered as he realises it was all just a dream. In reality, he's behind bars, awaiting his impending execution.
As the song unfolds, he encounters a guard and a "a sad old padre" who will escort him to his final moments at dawn. It's implied that afterwards, he'll return to the "green, green grass of home". As Nashville songwriter Curly Putman penned the song, it's evident that the "green, green grass" has no connection to Wales. Many listeners, perhaps due to Tom Jones' iconic rendition, assume a Welsh link, relating to the song's nostalgic first half.
Nevertheless, the tune remains beloved, with thousands watching videos of the 84-year-old Welsh legend performing the hit. One video alone has garnered over 80,000 views, with numerous fans sharing their admiration. One commenter gushed: "Love this song. No one can sing it like Tom Jones." Another fan added: "Oh, those beautiful Welsh tones, I just get lost in them. Warmest wishes to you Tom.". A third chimed in with: "You sound as good today as you did in the sixties Tom!" Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: "Wow, beautiful - one of my favourite songs.".
