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.
Dawning
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And loving each leaf on each tree
Remembering the way that your lips touched mine lightly
Yes, your love is dawning on me
Wo oh ah oh oh ah oh oh ah oh oh
Yes, your love is dawning on me
Flowers are bloomin', the robin is singing
The sweet things you said have all to my head
Oh yes, your love is dawning on me
Wo oh ah oh oh ah oh oh ah oh oh
Yes, your love is dawning on me
Perfume and roses and blue skies and laughter
The world is a great place to be
What used to be sadness has turned into gladness
Yes, your love is dawning on me
Wo oh ah oh oh ah oh oh ah oh oh
Yes, your love is dawning on me
The lyrics to "Dawning" by Jay & The Americans celebrate the joy and happiness that comes with finding true love. The song starts with the singer waking up to a beautiful day, the sun shining brightly, and the leaves on the trees being loved. The memory of the way their lover's lips touched theirs lightly fills them with happiness, and they proclaim that their love is dawning on them. Throughout the song, the beauty of the world around them is emphasized, with blooming flowers, singing robins, and blue skies. The thoughts of the sweet things their lover said fill their head and bring them joy. They declare that what used to be sadness has been turned to gladness by their lover's love.
The lyrics are a testament to the transformative power of love. The singer's world has been made more beautiful and joyful by the love they share with their partner. The song's upbeat melody and optimistic lyrics create a feeling of happiness and hopefulness that is infectious. The use of nature imagery emphasizes the sense of renewal and growth that comes with finding love. Overall, "Dawning" is a joyful and heartfelt celebration of the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this morning, the sun's shining brightly
I woke up today feeling energized and happy with the bright sunshine outside.
And loving each leaf on each tree
Feeling a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature all around me.
Remembering the way that your lips touched mine lightly
Recalling a sweet moment with a loved one that fills my heart with warmth.
Yes, your love is dawning on me
Realizing that the love of that special person is slowly taking over my heart and mind.
Flowers are bloomin', the robin is singing
Noticing the beauty and joy in the world around me, with blooming flowers and singing birds.
And my heart is in harmony
Feeling a sense of peace and contentment, with everything in balance.
The sweet things you said have all to my head
Recalling the kind words and loving sentiments from a special person that fill my thoughts and emotions.
Oh yes, your love is dawning on me
Fully realizing the depth and strength of the love that I feel for someone else.
Perfume and roses and blue skies and laughter
Noticing the beautiful scents, colors, and joy in the world around me, with blue skies and laughter all around.
The world is a great place to be
Feeling grateful for the goodness and beauty of life, and all the positive things that it has to offer.
What used to be sadness has turned into gladness
Feeling a deep sense of healing and happiness, after overcoming past struggles and pain.
Yes, your love is dawning on me
Feeling the intense impact of a loved one's love on my own heart and soul.
Wo oh ah oh oh ah oh oh ah oh oh
Musical refrain that repeats throughout the song.
Yes, your love is dawning on me
Final statement of the song's main message, emphasizing the power of love to bring joy and healing to our lives.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: M. BARKAN, T. POWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind