Delilah

2023 - 2 - 2

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Rhyl Journal"

Tom Jones' song Delilah axed from Wales rugby choirs' performances (Rhyl Journal)

Wales rugby choirs are banned from singing Tom Jones' hit song Delilah on rugby international matchdays at the Principality Stadium.

Welsh Conservative Sports Minister Tom Giffard said: “The decision is a wrongheaded one that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under. In a tweet posted on Wednesday afternoon, Wales international wing Louis Rees-Zammit said: “All the things they need to do and they do that first….” “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.” “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. [Welsh Rugby Union](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/national/23285815.future-rugby-union-wales-stake-recent-claims---nigel-walker-warns/) (WRU) took the song off its half-time entertainment and music playlist during Test matches in 2015.

Bye bye bye, Delilah: Tom Jones' song banned from Welsh rugby ... (NME.com)

Tom Jones' 1968 song 'Delilah' has been banned by the Welsh Rugby Union at the national Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

[‘Surrounded By Time’](https://www.nme.com/news/music/tom-jones-announces-new-album-with-radiohead-esque-single-talking-reality-television-blues-2857910), his 41st record, arrived in April of that year. It’s a pity these words now have been elevated to the status of a secondary national anthem.” The Principality Stadium’s spokesperson said: “The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. The lyrics of Jones’ ballad are the reason why it’s been pulled. He rejecting claims that it trivialised violence towards women. There are no restrictions, however, on fans singing the song.

Wales fans vow to keep singing Delilah after star player blasts ban ... (Mirror.co.uk)

The Welsh Rugby Union have banned the song Delilah from being sung by the pre-match choir before Wales international games, over concerns it glorifies ...

@Alfie10111 asked: "Will there be anti Delilah police on patrol at the Principality stadium on Saturday?" "Delilah echoing around the stadium." The WRU have made it clear that individuals won't be sanctioned for singing the song of their own accord. It will be on a loop…" [Six Nations](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/six-nations) campaign this Saturday at home to Ireland, but will be without star winger Louis Rhys-Zammit. The decision followed a turbulent period for the organisation, [which saw CEO Steve Phillips resign amid accusations of harbouring a toxic culture](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/wru-chief-steve-phillips-resigns-29079193), characterised by sexism and misogyny.

Tom Jones hit 'Delilah' is banned from the Six Nations playlist by ... (Smooth Radio)

Welsh Rugby Union has axed Tom Jones' massive 1967 hit 'Delilah' from the Six Nations playlist from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

"I think if they're looking into the lyric about a man killing a woman, it's not a political statement. I don't think that they are really thinking about it." "The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. He added: "I wasn't thinking that I was the man that was killing the girl when I was singing the song, I was acting out the part and that's what the song is. It makes me very proud to be Welsh. [Sir Tom](https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/tom-jones/) told [Digital Spy](https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a616150/tom-jones-on-calls-for-delilah-ban-its-not-a-political-statement/#~oYeqOFhQnaTWT7) of the controversy: "I love to hear it sung at rugby games.

Choirs have been banned from singing Tom Jones's hit 'Delilah' at ... (Entertainment.ie)

Everyone knows it, and no doubt you've even sung along to the chorus at a party - but have you ever realised how dark a song 'Delilah' actually is?

"The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games. 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."

Louis Rees-Zammit takes aim at WRU after Tom Jones' 'Delilah ... (Pundit Arena)

Louis Rees-Zammit has taken aim at the WRU after choirs were banned from singing 'Delilah' for rugby matches at the Principality Stadium.

[Hayley Parsons](https://punditarena.com/rugby/eoin-harte/cardiff-director-calls-welsh-rugby-union-board-resign/) recently called for the entire board of the WRU to resign, and likened the current arrangement between the regions and the national governing body to an “abusive relationship”. All the things they need to do and they do that first….😶 “All the things they need to do and they do that first,” Rees-Zammit tweeted in response to the choir ban on ‘Delilah’.

Tom Jones hit song 'Delilah' banned amidst Welsh rugby sexism ... (Euronews)

The 2023 Six Nations Championship will kick off this weekend and it has been announced that the popular song by Tom Jones, 'Delilah', will not be performed ...

The far-right EDL (English Defence League) also use the song as a marching song to promote their racist views. We are reviewing its historical context and our role in educating fans to make informed decisions." These allegations were aired in a television documentary last week, resulting in the resignation of Phillips. Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games. The song is about a jealous lover seeing a woman, Delilah, with another man. The hit song by the Welsh crooner has been a regular feature at Welsh sporting events, and the decision to drop it comes amid allegations of sexism, bullying and racism at the Welsh Rugby Union.