Jones dedicates song to wife for 1st time

LONDON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Welsh crooner Tom Jones says he wrote his new song "The Road" for his wife Linda, marking the first time he has publicly dedicated a tune to her.

The couple have been together for 51 years.

The song is on "24 Hours," the 68-year-old singer's first album of new material in 15 years, the Daily Telegraph said.

"My wife is a quiet person, she doesn't like parties and she doesn't like to go, so I wouldn't want to force her into that. I respect her privacy and she understands that and she knows that I have to go and sing, she knows that, she always knew," Jones told a Welsh newspaper.

The famed performer said he wrote the song while reflecting on his marriage and how "the road always leads back to Linda."

"(The song) all pointed to my wife -- which was fine because I have never written a song about my wife. So it is a thank you for being there for over 50 years now," he said.