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.
Drums
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The lyrics of "Drums" by Jay & The Americans recount the story of a young boy who was invited to see the newborn King. The boy, along with others, brings his finest gifts to honor the King. However, he acknowledges that he is a poor boy and has no material gift to offer that is worthy of the King. Instead, he asks if he can play his drum as an expression of respect and tribute.
The boy plays his drum for the newborn King, with Mary nodding in approval and the Ox and Lamb keeping time. Despite feeling inadequate due to his lack of physical gifts, the boy gives his best on the drum, pouring his heart and soul into the music. The act of playing music becomes his way of offering his reverence and love to the King.
The moment when the King smiles at the boy after he has played his drum represents a powerful connection and acknowledgment of the pure and sincere gesture made by the boy. The simplicity and genuineness of the boy's gift touch the King's heart, showing that true offerings do not always have to be grand or extravagant. The boy and his drum symbolize the idea that one's genuine intentions and actions are what truly matter in honoring and connecting with the divine.
Overall, "Drums" conveys a message of humility, sincerity, and the power of simple offerings. It emphasizes the importance of giving from the heart and expressing reverence in one's own unique way, regardless of material wealth or status. The act of playing the drum becomes a symbol of the boy's pure intentions, and the King's smile signifies acceptance and love for those who offer their genuine selves in worship and tribute.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They asked me to come with the sound of drums
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To see our new King born, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring the best gifts we have
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To place them in front of the King
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of drums playing
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To show our respect to Him
When we come
When we arrive
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
Little Baby, the drums playing
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy as well
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I don't have a gift to offer
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is worthy of giving to our King
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Would you like me to play the drums?
on my drum?
on my drum
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave a nod while drumming
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb matched the drumming rhythm
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played the drums for Him
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of continuous drumming
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me while drumming
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Sentric Music, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neilwinspear4219
love it a new fav for me
@stevencastaneda8390
"SHE CRIED" One of my all time favorites.
@JulieJulieTheRockChickhermiz
Lovely song
@joesampson7724
Originally recorded by Kenny Chandler. Written by Leiber and Stoller.
@dchern
Leiber and stoller
@fredricbloom5781
Who is playing the the drums on this song?