Tom Jones and Anne-Marie turned a familiar classic into one of the memorable musical moments from The Voice UK when they joined forces for a soulful rendition of Ben E. King’s Stand By Me.

The performance originally aired in November 2023, when Jones was 83, and brought together two singers with very different vocal styles. Jones’ deep, instantly recognizable baritone provided the foundation, while Anne-Marie added a lighter, soulful quality that gave the duet its own character.

Jones opened the song before Anne-Marie joined him, with the pair gradually trading lines and interacting throughout the performance. The relaxed chemistry between them became even more noticeable when Anne-Marie left her chair and moved closer to Jones, adding a playful touch to the otherwise warm rendition.

Rather than relying on an elaborate production, the performance kept the focus on the two voices and the enduring melody. That simplicity helped make the duet feel particularly intimate, while still giving Jones an opportunity to showcase the vocal presence that has made him a longtime favorite with The Voice UK viewers.

The performance later attracted around three million views on YouTube, with viewers praising both singers. Jones’ ability to bring character to the song and Anne-Marie’s soulful delivery were among the elements that stood out in the audience response.

It was also far from Jones’ only memorable collaboration on the show.

In 2019, he performed James Brown’s It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World with Jennifer Hudson during The Voice UK Battles. The March 2, 2019 performance offered a much more powerful vocal pairing, with Jones and Hudson trading intensity across the classic soul song.

Those collaborations highlight one of the enduring attractions of having Jones on The Voice UK. While contestants remain at the heart of the competition, moments when the coaches step onto the stage can offer viewers a reminder of the extraordinary careers behind the judging panel.

And Stand By Me comes with a remarkable history of its own.

Written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song was first released by King in 1961. It became a major hit and gained another wave of recognition after its prominent use in the 1986 film Stand by Me.

The song has since been recorded by hundreds of artists. The Library of Congress has noted that more than 400 musicians have covered it, reflecting its ability to cross generations and musical styles.

Its lasting popularity was also recognized in BMI’s 1999 ranking of the most-played songs of the 20th century, where Stand By Me placed fourth, having accumulated more than seven million radio and television performances.

More than six decades after its original release, the song continues to find new interpretations. Jones and Anne-Marie’s The Voice UK performance became another example, bringing together two generations of performers and giving a familiar classic a fresh television moment.

Source: Compiled from various sources.