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.
Livin' Above Your Head
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I can't believe you're not the same sweet girl that I once knew
But baby, the change has come about and it don't look too good on you
It seems so strange, you're putting me through changes
Baby, you've started doin' things you should not be doin'
CHORUS:
Livin' above your head, girl; you're comin' on way too strong
Baby, don't think that I don't know you're runnin' out with other guys
And baby, though it hurts me so, you know that I'm still hypnotized
Don't let my pride kill all the love inside of me
Baby, you've started doin' things you should not be doin'
(chorus)
(instrumental)
(repeat chorus and fade)
The lyrics to Jay & The Americans' song "Livin' Above Your Head" depict a narrative about a woman who begins to change for the worst and loses her sweet and innocent nature, which greatly affects the singer. He notes that she is now engaging in activities she shouldn't be, like running around with other guys, and this sudden change is putting him through difficult times. Despite this, he confesses that he is still in love with her and does not want their relationship to fall apart. The chorus describes how the woman is "livin' above her head" by being too forceful and aggressive in her actions, and that something will inevitably go wrong if she continues on this path.
The lyrics reflect a common theme in many love songs: the idea of falling out of love with someone or having to let go of a relationship that is no longer healthy or worthwhile. In this case, the singer recognizes that the woman he once knew and loved is no longer the same person, and her actions are causing him great pain and emotional turmoil. However, his affection for her still remains despite her flaws, and he is torn between his pride and his desire to keep their love alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems so strange, you're putting me through changes
It appears weird that you are making me go through changes
Baby, I can't believe you're not the same sweet girl that I once knew
I am finding it hard to believe that you are not the same lovely girl I knew earlier
But baby, the change has come about and it don't look too good on you
However, you have changed drastically, and it does not seem to look good on you
Baby, you've started doin' things you should not be doin'
Darling, you have begun doing things that you shouldn't be doing
Livin' above your head, girl; you're comin' on way too strong
You are living a lifestyle beyond your means, and you are coming on too strong
You're livin' above your head, girl, and something has got to go wrong
You are living beyond your capabilities, and something is going to go wrong soon
Baby, don't think that I don't know you're runnin' out with other guys
My dear, do not believe that I am unaware of you going out with other men
And baby, though it hurts me so, you know that I'm still hypnotized
Although it hurts me greatly, you know that I am still under your spell
Don't let my pride kill all the love inside of me
Please do not let my ego destroy all the love that is still inside me
(chorus)
Repeats the chorus of the song
(instrumental)
The song has an instrumental section
(repeat chorus and fade)
The chorus is repeated, and the song ends with a fade
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jacquelinelee5506
Oh how brilliant this is...what a voice!
Shame its not played more!
@jacquelinelee5506
Oh I didn't realise Jay had passed.....so sorry.....makes listening to him all the more special
@vincentedwards6749
JAY AND THE AMERICANS were above hit records which were manipulated by record companies ,they were top shelf . and that is a reason so many music lovers around the world loved there sound , RIP. great singer , j Vincent Edwards
@vincentedwards6749
I wish I could have sang with jay we would have a good time
@oharaterence
Brilliant dance track at any soul gig
@vincentedwards6749
gets better every time I pray our kids pick up on this. j Vincent Edwards
@VonBeest
Awesome blue eyed soul
@mickclements3798
So soulful
@patrickryan1515
This song, "Cara Mia" and "Only in America" left indelible impressions on my musical soul. R.I.P., Jay (October, 2021).
@gelvisward
RIP Jay Black....thankyou for your beautiful voice and music, especially this song. God Bless ♥️