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.
Life Is But A Dream
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
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That is my dream
Life is but a dream; it's what you make it
Always try to give; don't ever take it
Life has its music, life has its song of love, love
Life is but a dream, and I dream of you
Strange as it seems, all night I see you
I'm tryin' to tell you just what you mean to me
I adore you and all your lovin' charms
I want you to do your part
Come here to my open arms
Life is but a dream, & we can live it
Oh we can make a love none to compare with
Oh will you take part in my life, my love
That is my dream
The song "Life Is But a Dream" is a classic doo-wop ballad by Jay & The Americans. The lyrics talk about the importance of love in life and how it can make dreams come true. The first two lines of the song, "Will you take part in my life, my love, that is my dream" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is asking his lover to join him in his life journey, and for them to create a beautiful dream together. The chorus of the song, "Life is but a dream; it's what you make it, always try to give; don't ever take it" emphasizes the message that life is what you make of it, and it's essential to give love rather than taking it.
The song goes on to highlight the power of love and how it can bring music and joy to people's lives. The lyrics, "Life has its music, life has its song of love, love life is but a dream, and I dream of you" express the idea that love has the power to make life seem like a dream. The singer goes on to say that they see their lover in their dreams and how much they mean to them. The lyrics, "Strange as it seems, all night I see you. I'm tryin' to tell you just what you mean to me" convey the romantic and passionate feelings felt by the singer towards their partner.
In summary, "Life Is But a Dream" is a heartfelt song about the power of love in one's life. The lyrics show the importance of having someone to share life with and how love can make dreams come true. The doo-wop ballad has been a classic love song for over 60 years, and it continues to be a favorite among fans of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you take part in my life, my love
Asking for the listener's commitment to be a part of the singer's life and love story.
That is my dream
The singer's hope and desire for the listener to be with them.
Life is but a dream; it's what you make it
The concept that life is ephemeral and one's experiences and outcomes are dependent on one's actions and approach to life.
Always try to give; don't ever take it
Encouragement to be kind and generous without expecting anything in return.
Life has its music, life has its song of love, love
Life can be beautiful and romantic, and it's important to embrace and appreciate the joy and beauty around us.
Life is but a dream, and I dream of you
The singer's deep and intense feelings of love towards the listener.
Strange as it seems, all night I see you
The listener is always on the singer's mind, even in their dreams.
I'm tryin' to tell you just what you mean to me
The singer expressing their intense love and affection towards the listener.
I love you with all my heart
The singer's declaration of love for the listener.
I adore you and all your lovin' charms
The singer's admiration and appreciation of the listener's personality and characteristics.
I want you to do your part
The singer's request for the listener to reciprocate their love and commitment.
Come here to my open arms
Inviting the listener to be physically close and intimate with the singer.
Life is but a dream, & we can live it
The singer's perspective on how life should be lived with positivity, love, and appreciation.
Oh we can make a love none to compare with
Believing that the love between the singer and listener can be extraordinary and unmatched by any other.
Oh will you take part in my life, my love
Reiterating the singer's desire for the listener to be a part of their life and love story.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HY WEISS, RAOUL CITA, RAOUL J CITA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind