For the Japanese CD release, Jones' 1965 recording of " It's Not Unusual" was included as a bonus track. He’s a modern Dylan, tracing the arc of popular culture through from when video killed the radio star, reality killed the video star and reality TV star Donald Trump killed reality with his “alternative facts”. Tom Jones, real name Thomas Jones Woodward OBE (born 7 June 1940), is a Welsh singer whose career has spanned five-and-a-half decades since his emergence as a vocalist in the mid-1960s, with a string of top hits, regular touring, appearances in Las Vegas (1967–2011), and career comebacks. Surrounded by Time was released through EMI Records internationally and S-Curve Records in the United States. Additional recording took place at Johns' Three Crows East studio in Wiltshire and the Bert Jansch Studio in Frome.

Alongside a digital release, it received a standard double-CD release [21] as well a deluxe box set release, designed as a 7-inch gatefold package that includes a booklet and additional art cards.The fourth and final pre-release single released from the album, "Pop Star", originally written by Cat Stevens, was released on 9 April alongside a music video.

It contains the obvious gag that Lazarus couldn’t make a comeback without Jesus (Jones couldn’t without Johns).Tom Jones began working with record producer Ethan Johns, who had worked with acts such as Kings of Leon, Joe Cocker, and Crowded House, in 2009. As a fan who’s never been able to join in with lock-in singalongs of Jones’ 1968 hit “Delilah” (the whole woman-killing vibe just never grabbed me), I’m not quite sure why Jones and Johns have decided to retell the biblical tale of Samson and Delilah here, with the chap yet again emerging victorious. But it’s also powerfully about the miracle of the life we have when our desire and ability to sing can seem impossible. Jones and Johns later recorded their third album together, Long Lost Suitcase, and released it in 2015.

Sir Tom Jones moves fellow coach Anne-Marie to tears during emotional song tribute to late wife on The Voice UK". A repackaged expanded edition of Surrounded by Time, named The Hourglass Edition, was announced on 19 October 2021.It was supported by the singles "Talking Reality Television Blues", "No Hole in My Head", " One More Cup of Coffee", and "Pop Star". The album received positive reviews from critics, with much praise being directed towards Jones' vocals at 80 years of age as well as the selection of songs for the album. The announcement of Surrounded by Time came on 15 January 2021, with its release date and track listing being revealed. Jones was awarded an OBE in 1999 and in 2006 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to music.