Lyra
It's Not Unusual
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Tom Jones · 1965
What's this song about?
Tom Jones's upbeat 1965 hit tells the story of a devoted person watching the one they love pay attention to someone else. Despite the heartbreak, the narrator tries to stay hopeful, insisting that their partner's wandering eye is just a temporary phase.
Themes
Emotional tone
Bouncy yet bittersweet
Deeper interpretation
Musically, "It's Not Unusual" pairs a bright, swinging pop arrangement with lyrics about emotional pain and jealousy. By downplaying the hurt with phrases like "it happens every day," the narrator tries to convince both the listener and themselves that nothing is really wrong.
Tom Jones delivers the song with a booming, theatrical confidence that turns what could be a depressing story of rejection into an energetic crowd-pleaser. That contrast—between the heavy feeling of being overlooked and the upbeat, brass-driven rhythm—gives the song its lasting charm.
Metaphors & references
- It's not unusual to be loved by anyone
- A bittersweet way of saying the person being pursued is naturally charming and catches everyone's eye, making the narrator feel like just one of many.
