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.
Living 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 song "Living Above Your Head" by Jay & The Americans is a soulful blues ballad that opens with accusatory lyrics describing changes in a relationship. The singer expresses how strange it is that the sweet girl he once knew has become unrecognizable to him, and that the changes that have come about don't look good on her. He believes that she has begun to do things she should not be doing, indicating that she may be unfaithful to him. The chorus reveals the title of the song and explains that the girl is coming on way too strong, and that something is bound to go wrong. Despite the pain he feels, he admits that he is still hypnotized by her and doesn't want his pride to kill the love he has for her. The repetition of the chorus and the fade-out suggest that the problem remains unresolved.
This song is a poignant commentary on the transformation of a romantic relationship over time, as one partner deviates from the expectations of the other. The lyrics suggest a sense of betrayal and disappointment, as well as a reluctance to let go of the love that once bound the couple together. The powerful blues-influenced melody and soulful vocals add to the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems so strange, you're putting me through changes
It's strange to see you changing so much and making me feel confused
Baby, I can't believe you're not the same sweet girl that I once knew
I can't believe you've changed so much from the sweet girl I knew
But baby, the change has come about and it don't look too good on you
The change in you doesn't look good on you, baby
Baby, you've started doin' things you should not be doin'
You've started doing things that are morally wrong, baby
Livin' above your head, girl; you're comin' on way too strong
You're taking risks that are too big and you seem too desperate, girl
You're livin' above your head, girl, and something has got to go wrong
You're taking too many risks, girl, and something is bound to go wrong
Baby, don't think that I don't know you're runnin' out with other guys
I know you're seeing other men, baby, even if you don't think so
And baby, though it hurts me so, you know that I'm still hypnotized
Even though it hurts me to see you like this, I'm still attracted to you, baby
Don't let my pride kill all the love inside of me
Please don't let my pride ruin the love that I still have for you
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAY BLACK, KENNY VANCE, MARTY SANDERS
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 ♥️