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.
Look At Me
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feet on the ground
Up in my stance
Stance shooting when I’m shooting these rounds
You talking shit
Cause I’m not around
Oh You the king?
Bitch Give me the crown
All my life people told me Im not allowed
Had no advantage growing up brown
They label me the bomb Cause I’m blowing up now
First of let me tell you who I be
El jay is the name need no I.d
I just came to feel myself
Not conceal myself
Lets go S-t-u-p-I-d
It’s a guarantee
That I’m getting paid bitch I don’t work for free
Don’t give no hand outs
Put yo hand down
For the fact You ain’t getting shit outta me
I am ready to rip it apart
Pick it apart
Take a battle axe and split it apart
Watch as I slit your heart
All you hear is Boom
Coming from the dark
Put my hand in yo chest watch me rip your heart
Coast to coast swimming kinda like a shark
Label Hip hop calis finest art
Always play dumb but the homie really smart
You looking mark in a bucket skylark
I’m the mothafucking greatest
Oh goodness gracious
Keep my name in yo mouth till I get famous
Chilling with the homie and his name is money trees
Dutch rolling everyday smoking funny things
I’ve been held back all my life
Im a peacock bout to take flight
Watch me bang gears Hatch back
I think I had Flash back
Ima cut in front of you like Fast pass
Been a long time since I even been heard watch while run it
Spartan kick like the man from 300
Watching y’all plummet
From the highest summit
Fall in a pit get impaled in ya stomach
Bitch you can’t handle me
Flawless victory perfect fatality
Go ahead and scream it out loud shao Kahn
Eat won ton
On the way to Hong Kong
Sporting Sean Jean
Get the fuck off my dick trying to Twerk on me my while bump the thong song
Finally got a plan now nothing gone wrong
Surveillance in this bitch like a watch dog
Getting In your face if ya think ya top dawg
One round bar for bar you won’t last long
All you goood for is making up trap songs
Fuck a mumble rapper they should get taxed on
This Twenty one nine
To pass the time
Im sipping liquor and she sippin wine
You on your hustle right bitch i been working my grind
I am beast that’s Devine
Plus I’m a legend combined
A dying breed the last of their kind
Let’s keep this shit moving now
I cannot be wasting no time
Watch me go live on this ho
Watch me just liven the show
We all taking shots
Watch me take 5 in a row
And no I’m not riding alone
We in the back all alone
She on top and she grinding me slow
Uber driver driving to slow
Woke up feeling so good I turned and wasn’t lying alone
The lyrics to "Look At Me" by Jay & The Americans convey a sense of confidence and assertiveness. The singer proclaims that they are grounded, standing tall, and ready to face any challenges. They dismiss the criticism of others who talk behind their back, asserting their own superiority and demanding recognition.
The lyrics also touch upon the experience of overcoming adversity and prejudice. The singer mentions growing up with disadvantages as a person of color, but now they are thriving and gaining recognition. They challenge the societal norms and expectations that have been imposed on them, declaring their own worth and success.
Throughout the song, there is a theme of resilience and determination. The lyrics express a strong desire to prove oneself, to make a mark in the world, and to achieve greatness. The singer asserts their unique talents and intelligence, while also expressing a sense of gratitude for the opportunities they have been given.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me now
Pay attention to me in my current state
Feet on the ground
I am grounded and stable
Up in my stance
I am confident and ready for action
Stance shooting when I’m shooting these rounds
I am assertive and impactful with my actions
You talking shit
You are speaking negatively about me
Cause I’m not around
Because I am not present
Oh You the king?
Are you claiming to be superior?
Bitch Give me the crown
I deserve the highest status or recognition
I’m repping yo city, I’m repping my town
I am proudly representing both your city and my own town
All my life people told me Im not allowed
Throughout my life, I have faced restrictions and limitations placed upon me
Had no advantage growing up brown
Being of a certain ethnic background, I faced disadvantages and had no special privileges
They label me the bomb Cause I’m blowing up now
They now recognize me as someone who is achieving great success and gaining popularity rapidly
First of let me tell you who I be
Allow me to introduce myself
El jay is the name need no I.d
My name is El jay, and I am well-known enough that nobody needs to see my identification
I just came to feel myself
I have arrived to enjoy and appreciate my own abilities
Not conceal myself
I have no intention of hiding or suppressing my true self
Lets go S-t-u-p-I-d
Let's have a carefree and uninhibited time
It’s a guarantee
I promise or assure you
That I’m getting paid bitch I don’t work for free
I am being compensated for my work and refuse to do anything for free
Don’t give no hand outs
I do not offer or give any free assistance or support
Put yo hand down
Lower your hand or stop asking for help
For the fact You ain’t getting shit outta me
Because you will not receive anything from me
I am ready to rip it apart
I am fully prepared to dismantle or destroy something
Pick it apart
Analyze or criticize it in great detail
Take a battle axe and split it apart
Use a powerful weapon to divide it into pieces
Watch as I slit your heart
Observe the act of cutting or damaging your emotions or core being
All you hear is Boom
The only sound you hear is a loud explosion or impact
Coming from the dark
Originating from a place of mystery or obscurity
Put my hand in yo chest watch me rip your heart
Witness as I metaphorically remove your heart with my bare hands
Coast to coast swimming kinda like a shark
I am effortlessly navigating and dominating various regions, much like a shark in the water
Label Hip hop calis finest art
Identify me as the epitome of high-quality hip-hop art from California
Always play dumb but the homie really smart
I often pretend to be unintelligent, but in reality, I am highly intelligent
You looking mark in a bucket skylark
You appear foolish or naive in comparison to a low-value, old car
I’m the mothafucking greatest
I am the absolute best, without a doubt
Oh goodness gracious
Expressing surprise or excitement in a whimsical manner
Keep my name in yo mouth till I get famous
Continue talking about me until I achieve widespread recognition
Chilling with the homie and his name is money trees
Relaxing in the company of a friend who goes by the name of money trees
Dutch rolling everyday smoking funny things
Rolling and smoking cannabis products from the Netherlands on a daily basis
I’ve been held back all my life
I have experienced constant hindrance or limitation throughout my entire existence
Im a peacock bout to take flight
I am a charismatic and vibrant individual who is about to soar to great heights
Watch me bang gears Hatch back
Observe me shifting gears in a hatchback vehicle with energy and power
I think I had Flash back
I believe I just experienced a sudden and intense recollection of a past memory
Ima cut in front of you like Fast pass
I am going to assert myself and move ahead of you swiftly, just like a fast pass
Been a long time since I even been heard watch while run it
It has been a while since anyone paid attention to me, so now watch me take control and succeed
Spartan kick like the man from 300
Delivering a powerful and forceful kick, reminiscent of the character from the movie '300'
Watching y’all plummet
Observing all of you descend rapidly or fail miserably
From the highest summit
From the greatest peak or level of achievement
Fall in a pit get impaled in ya stomach
If you fall into a pit, you will be pierced or severely injured in your abdomen
Bitch you can’t handle me
You are unable to endure or cope with my presence or abilities
Flawless victory perfect fatality
My victory over you is flawless and my ability to cause harm is impeccable
Go ahead and scream it out loud shao Kahn
Feel free to shout it loudly, just like the character Shao Kahn
Eat won ton
Consume won ton, a type of Chinese dumpling
On the way to Hong Kong
In the process of traveling to Hong Kong
Sporting Sean Jean
Wearing or representing the fashion brand Sean Jean
Get the fuck off my dick trying to Twerk on me my while bump the thong song
Stop attempting to gain attention or please me, while I disregard your efforts and listen to the song 'Thong Song'
Finally got a plan now nothing gone wrong
I now have a solid plan in place, ensuring that nothing will go awry
Surveillance in this bitch like a watch dog
Keeping a close eye and monitoring this situation like a vigilant guard dog
Getting In your face if ya think ya top dawg
Confronting you directly if you believe you are superior or the most powerful
One round bar for bar you won’t last long
In a contest of back and forth exchanges, you will not be able to compete for very long
All you goood for is making up trap songs
Your only talent or usefulness lies in creating fictional trap-focused music
Fuck a mumble rapper they should get taxed on
Disregard or dislike mumbling rappers and suggest that they should pay additional taxes
This Twenty one nine
Referring to the current year, 2019
To pass the time
In order to occupy or entertain myself
Im sipping liquor and she sippin wine
I am drinking alcoholic beverages while she opts for wine
You on your hustle right bitch i been working my grind
You are focused on your own ambitions, but I have been diligently working on my own path
I am beast that’s Devine
I possess exceptional strength or prowess that is extraordinary or godlike
Plus I’m a legend combined
Additionally, I am a widely celebrated figure when various aspects or qualities are brought together
A dying breed the last of their kind
I represent a unique or rare group of individuals, possibly facing extinction
Let’s keep this shit moving now
We should continue progressing or advancing in this situation
I cannot be wasting no time
I cannot afford to spend time aimlessly or unproductively
Watch me go live on this ho
Witness my energetic and lively performance on this song
Watch me just liven the show
Observe how I bring excitement and energy to the performance
We all taking shots
All of us are consuming alcoholic beverages
Watch me take 5 in a row
Observe me successfully consuming five shots in succession
And no I’m not riding alone
I am joined by others; I have companionship or support
We in the back all alone
We are situated at the rear in seclusion or privacy
She on top and she grinding me slow
She is positioned on top and engaging in a slow and intimate grinding motion
Uber driver driving to slow
The Uber driver is operating the vehicle at an inadequate or disappointing speed
Woke up feeling so good I turned and wasn’t lying alone
I woke up feeling extremely satisfied, realizing I have someone beside me instead of being alone
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Joshua Berlanga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind