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.
Cara Mia
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Cara Mia fair
I'll be your love 'til the end of time ('til the end of)
Of ('til the end of)
Time (Cara Mia mine)
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia why must we say goodbye?
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Darling hear my prayer (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Cara Mia fair
I'll be your love 'til the end of time ('til the end of)
Of ('til the end of)
Time (Cara Mia mine)
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
(Oh oh oh oh oh) ah-ah-ah
(Oh oh oh oh oh)
(Each time we part my heart wants to die) die
Darling hear my prayer (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Cara Mia fair
I'll be your love 'til the end of time ('til the end of)
Of ('til the end of)
Time (Cara Mia mine)
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia mine
Mine (Cara Mia mine)
(Cara Mia mine) Cara Mia mine
The song "Cara Mia" by Jay & The Americans is a heart-wrenching ballad about the pain of separation and the desire for everlasting love. The lyrics express the agony of having to say goodbye to a loved one and the feeling that one's heart is dying each time they part. The singer implores his beloved, Cara Mia, to hear his prayer and promises to be her love until the end of time. The repeated refrain of "Cara Mia mine" emphasizes the singer's devotion and desire to be with his love forever.
The use of the Italian phrase "Cara Mia" adds to the romantic and sentimental nature of the song. "Cara Mia" translates to "my dear" or "my darling," which further emphasizes the singer's love and affection for his beloved. The song's melody is equally poignant and emotional, with a slow and mournful quality to it that perfectly matches the lyrics' sentiment. Overall, "Cara Mia" is a timeless classic that captures the complexities of love and heartbreak and continues to resonate with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Cara Mia why must we say goodbye?
Why do we have to keep saying goodbye, Cara Mia? Every time we do, my heart feels like it's dying.
Each time we part my heart wants to die
Every time we say goodbye, it feels like my heart is breaking and I'm dying inside.
Darling hear my prayer (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Please listen to me, my love. Hear my prayer, Ohh.
Cara Mia fair
Beautiful Cara Mia, my love.
I'll be your love 'til the end of time ('til the end of)
I promise to love you forever, until the end of time.
Of ('til the end of)
Until the end of time.
Time (Cara Mia mine)
My love, Cara Mia, forever and always.
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia, my love.
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia, my love.
Cara Mia mine
Cara Mia, my love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert Jr. Mcferrin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Walt222
Absolutely one of the best. Those were the best of times. Thank God I'm a baby boomer.
@davidspeckhardt8124
Amen
@peterscocca3024
A wonderful time to be a teenager. Beautiful music and words. No naked dancers and screaming F every other word.
Just pure talent and dignity.
So glad I'm old.
@johnknight5639
I agree. I, also, am old (83). I do not regret growing older ... it is a privilege denied to many ...
@adriennerobinson1180
Truth Indeed AMEN
@artseger6891
73 and still break out the great old albums and tapes every once in a while need to reminisce some of the best music in time.
@catalinamargomyers9970
❤ ditto
@grambeege
You are sooo right!
@robbaxter60
The fact that this man was singing this song damn near note for note still well into in his 70’s without auto tune or any major effects is probably one of the most amazing things I’ve ever heard. Jay Black was a generational talent in my opinion and I wasn’t even born for another 15 years after this songs release. Just amazing
@stevelackovic124
Yes and so many of the singers of the time have or still do. I saw Tommy James last March 2023 in Vegas and OMG, talk about a spiritual experience! Was like a time warp going back to my youth. Even got a couple photos along side him when he toured the room.