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.
Goodnight My Love
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a ring
Let’s go downtown and maybe
We can make it a thing
You got a green dress
I guess that’ll do
If we hurry maybe
On a summer’s day you’ll
Wade in the water
The sun will kiss your face and I’ll
Run run run right to you
You can keep the hilltop
I got my love
You can give it your best shot
But I got my love
Don’t matter what the boys say
You got my love
Don’t matter what the girls say
You got my love
You’re serving tables
Soon you’ll run the bar
I’m living check to check
But I got a guitar
You want your weekends
I want a dog
Just know I love you
Together we’re strong
On a summer’s day you’ll
Wade in the water
The sun will kiss your face and I’ll
Run run run right to you
You can keep the hilltop
I got my love
You can give it your best shot
I got my love
Don’t matter what the boys say
You got my love
Don’t matter what the girls say
You got my love
I’ll keep you up all night
I’ll treat your love just right
I know that winter breaks to summer
I’ll keep you up all night
I’ll treat your love just right
I know that winter breaks to summer
You can keep the hilltop
I got my love
You can give it your best shot
I got my love
Don’t matter what the boys say
You got my love
Don’t matter what the girls say
You got my love
I’ll keep you up all night
I’ll treat your love just right
I know that winter breaks to summer
I’ll keep you up all night
I’ll treat your love just right
I know that winter breaks to summer
I’ll keep you up all night
I’ll treat your love just right
I know that winter breaks to summer
The lyrics of "Goodnight My Love" by Jay & The Americans tell the story of a young couple in love, navigating their way through the challenges of everyday life. The first verse finds the couple preparing for a night out on the town. The singer has a new suit and a ring, while his partner is wearing a green dress. They hope to make it a special evening, but are aware of the difficulties they might face. The urgency in the lyrics is captured when the singer says, "If we hurry maybe, They won’t have a clue."
The second verse shows the couple dreaming about their future together. The singer is struggling to make ends meet with his guitar, while his partner is working as a waitress, but hopes to run the bar someday. They long for the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with each other and getting a dog. They know they have a strong and enduring love, as the lyrics say, "Don’t matter what the boys say, You got my love, Don’t matter what the girls say, You got my love."
The chorus reinforces the message of the song that their love is unbreakable, as they promise to keep each other up all night and treat their love just right. The season's change from winter to summer represents the ups and downs of life, but they know they will always have each other.
Overall, the song is about the strength of love, especially when faced with adversity. The lyrics capture the youthful hope and innocence of two people in love, who are determined to make it work no matter what life throws their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a new suit
I am trying to impress you with my appearance.
I got a ring
I am committed to you and want to take our relationship to the next level.
Let’s go downtown and maybe We can make it a thing
Let's go out and have a fun time together, maybe this could be the start of something special.
You got a green dress
You are not dressed up, and I would have preferred if you did.
I guess that’ll do
I will compromise and accept what you are wearing; it's not a big deal.
If we hurry maybe They won’t have a clue
If we rush, we might avoid being recognized, and we can enjoy our time together without any interruptions.
On a summer’s day you’ll Wade in the water
You are carefree and enjoy simple things like swimming on a hot day.
The sun will kiss your face and I’ll Run run run right to you
I am drawn to your beauty and want to be close to you always.
You can keep the hilltop I got my love
I may not have material possessions, but I have what really matters, love.
You can give it your best shot But I got my love
Others may try to compete with me, but I am confident that my love is strong enough to overcome any challenges.
Don’t matter what the boys say You got my love
Other men's opinions are irrelevant because my love for you is unwavering.
Don’t matter what the girls say You got my love
Other women's opinions are irrelevant because my love for you is unwavering.
You’re serving tables Soon you’ll run the bar
You may have a humble job, but I believe in you and know that you will achieve your dreams.
I’m living check to check But I got a guitar
I may not have financial stability, but I have a passion for music.
You want your weekends I want a dog
We may have different desires, but I still love and accept you for who you are.
Just know I love you Together we’re strong
Our love is a source of strength that will help us overcome any obstacles and succeed.
I’ll keep you up all night I’ll treat your love just right
I will do everything in my power to make you feel loved and appreciated.
I know that winter breaks to summer
Just as seasons change, I know that our relationship will have its ups and downs, but my love for you will never fade.
Lyrics © Amuxe Publishing
Written by: Alexander Klare-Ayvazian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind