The guys auditioned for the seminal music team of Leiber and Stoller, who gave the group its name in 1960. In the manner of the time, Leiber and Stoller wanted to extend this to "Binky Jones and the Americans", but Traynor declined to be known as "Binky Jones" his whole career. He instead offered up "Jay", a family nickname, and it suited everyone.
They first hit the Billboard charts in 1962 with the tune "She Cried". Later covered by several other artists, the track's highest charting was #5, inspiring the group. The next two singles didn't fare nearly as well, however, and John Traynor left the band. David Black (né David Blatt) of The Empires took his place (after first agreeing to adopt the name Jay Black), and Empires guitarist Marty Sanders also joined. Black sang lead for the rest of the group's existence.
They returned to the charts in 1963 with "Only In America", a song originally meant for The Drifters. Other notable hits for the Americans were "Come a Little Bit Closer" in 1964, which hit #3, and "Cara Mia" in 1965, which hit #4. The Americans also recorded a commercial for H.I.S. Slacks, and a public service announcement for the Ad Council, featuring a backing track by Brian Wilson and Phil Spector.
In 1968, they recorded an album of their favorite oldies remade fresh, called Sands of Time, and its single was "This Magic Moment", which also came through the Drifters. That track proved to be the last Top Ten record for the group. However, the band's follow-up album, titled 'Wax Museum', yielded the #19 hit "Walkin' In The Rain". First recorded by The Ronettes, the emotive love song has remained a classic on oldies themed stations along with the group's earlier work.
Their next singles failed to chart, nonetheless, and the band grew apart. The demand for live appearances remained. While the other members moved on to solo musical careers in 1973, Jay Black continued to perform as "Jay and the Americans" or "Jay Black and the Americans" until the 1980s, with a variety of musicians, including Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who would later found Steely Dan. ."
The group reunited in the 1990s for special performances, most notably the 45 Years of Motown special on PBS.
in 2006, Jay Black filed for bankruptcy due to gambling debts, and his ownership of the name "Jay & The Americans" was sold by the bankruptcy trustee to Sandy Deanne (Yaguda), Black's former band mate and original member of Jay & The Americans for $100,000 to pay Black's debts. With the name purchase, former members Deanne, Howard Kane, and Marty Sanders reunited, and recruited a sound-alike singer from Chicago, coincidentally nicknamed "Jay." Thus, John "Jay" Reincke became the third "Jay" and the band returned to playing both national and international music venues. Their show covers the history of Jay and The Americans, acknowledging all three Jays and featuring all of the top hits in their original arrangements.
David Blatt still tours under his stage name, "Jay Black". Kenny Vance is currently the lead singer of Kenny Vance and the Planotones, a neo-doo wop band that he formed in the 1970s. After leaving the group, John Traynor recorded a handful of songs on the Coral label, including "I Rise, I Fall" in 1964. None were hits, but "I Rise, I Fall" became a minor hit for Johnny Tillotson. The label billed Traynor as "JAY formerly of Jay and the Americans." Traynor now tours with Jay Siegel's Tokens.
A Lover's Question
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
should I worry, when we're apart
it's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
Does she need me, as she pretends
is this a game, well then will I win
it's a lover's question, I'd like to know
if she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
does she feel just what I feel,
and how am I to know it's really real.
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
is it in her kiss or in her eyes
it's a lover's question I'd like to know.
I'd like to know when she's not with me
if she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
does she feel just what I feel,
and how am I to know it's really real.
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
is it in her kiss or in her eyes
it's a lover's question I'd like to know.
In "A Lover's Question," Jay & The Americans express the uncertainties and doubts that come with being in love. The song poses a series of questions that the singer has about his lover's devotion and feelings toward him, questioning whether she truly loves and needs him or if it's just a game. The chorus repeats the central line, "it's a lover's question, I'd like to know," emphasizing the singer's desire for clarity and certainty in his relationship.
The song's lyrics tap into the common insecurities and doubts that people often experience in their relationships, especially in the early stages of falling in love. The repeated refrain of "I'd like to know" highlights the importance of communication and honesty between partners in a relationship.
Overall, "A Lover's Question" is a poignant and relatable song that captures the uncertainty and complexity of seeking love and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Does she love me, with all her heart
The singer wonders if their partner loves them completely without reservation
should I worry, when we're apart
The singer fears that their partner may not love them as much when they're not together
it's a lover's question, I'd like to know.
The singer admits that they are struggling with a common question that many lovers face
Does she need me, as she pretends
The singer suspects that their partner may be pretending to need them when they don't really
is this a game, well then will I win
The singer wonders if their partner is playing a game and if they will come out as the winner in the end
I'd like to know when she's not with me
if she's still true to me
The singer worries about whether their partner is still faithful when they're not together
I'd like to know when we're kissing
does she feel just what I feel,
The singer wonders if their partner experiences the same emotions and sensations when they kiss
and how am I to know it's really real.
The singer is unsure whether their relationship and their partner's feelings are genuine
Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
is it in her kiss or in her eyes
The singer is searching for clues in their partner's behavior, whether it's in their physical actions or in their eyes
it's a lover's question I'd like to know.
The singer acknowledges that their questions about their partner's love may be common among lovers
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BROOK BENTON, JIMMY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind