About the song
Tom Jones & Janis Joplin Deliver Explosive “Raise Your Hand” Duet on This Is Tom Jones (1969)
LONDON, UK – In 1969, television audiences witnessed one of the most electrifying collaborations in music history when Tom Jones and Janis Joplin joined forces on the hit variety program This Is Tom Jones. Their fiery performance of “Raise Your Hand” remains a dazzling snapshot of two powerhouse voices colliding in pure, unfiltered energy.
At the time, Tom Jones was already a global sensation, known for his commanding stage presence and velvet-strong vocals on hits like “It’s Not Unusual” and “Delilah.” Janis Joplin, meanwhile, was emerging as the raw, untamed voice of a new generation, shaking the rock world with her gravel-edged passion. The pairing seemed unlikely—Tom, polished and show-stopping; Janis, wild and unpredictable—but together, they created magic.
The performance began with Tom’s smooth charisma as he introduced Joplin to the British audience. From the first notes, Janis tore into the song with her signature rasp, her voice crackling with emotion and rebellion. Tom matched her energy with his booming delivery, the two trading lines and pushing each other higher. By the time they joined in harmony, the stage was on fire—an unforgettable blend of soul, rock, and pure adrenaline.
Fans who tuned in that night still remember the electricity. One viewer later recalled, “It felt like a duel and a love affair at the same time. They weren’t just singing—they were battling, flirting, and celebrating music all at once.” Critics praised the duet as proof that television, often accused of sanitizing rock and roll, could still capture moments of raw authenticity.
For Tom Jones, the collaboration showed his versatility, proving he could hold his own with even the wildest rock icons. For Janis Joplin, it offered mainstream audiences a chance to witness her unbridled artistry outside the festival circuit. Together, they bridged worlds—Las Vegas polish meeting San Francisco grit.
Today, the performance is remembered as one of the highlights of This Is Tom Jones and a rare cultural crossover moment. Two legends, each at the height of their powers, showed that music’s true strength lies in its ability to bring together opposites and ignite something unforgettable.
More than five decades later, fans still revisit that clip, marveling at the night when Tom Jones and Janis Joplin raised not just their hands, but the very roof of television history.
