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.
Monday Monday
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
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What you want love or the drugs
I got all of the above Aye
Shordy wanna suck me up
I can't even make this up aye
In a week we ran it up
In a week we ran it up
In a week we ran it up
How you
Hate to see me when I'm up
But love to see me when I'm down
In the trap I'm posted up
You know where I can be found oh
Evil man evil man evil man
That's what they call me
Twenty grand fifty grand hundred grand
Ran it up all week
Roll up the gas and it's all sheets
I start to speak and they all cease
Step In this game and it's all creeps
Lil sugar in they tank and they all sweet
Got eleven hoes and they all freaks
G wagon g wagon this is no jeep
Pounds of the gas get em' so cheap
But I still tax a nigga cuz he owe me
They ain't see yet but they gon see
Keep a strap on me never lonely
Big Lordy Lordy you know me
No mentor no OG
Kicked out the crib and I had to make it happen
Chase a check why you off busy yapping
I get the bag without even rapping
Put that on me and Karen and Jasmyn
Try to touch it you not even lasting
Get you gone and with no question asking
What you want love or the drugs
I got all of the above Aye
Shordy wanna suck me up
I can't even make this up aye
In a week we ran it up
In a week we ran it up
In a week we ran it up
In a week we ran it up
How you
Hate to see me when I'm up
But love to see me when I'm down
In the trap I'm posted up
You know where I can be found oh
Evil man evil man evil man
That's what they call me
Twenty grand fifty grand hundred grand
Ran it up all week
We ran it up all week
We ran it up all week
Shit we ran it up all week
We ran it up all
Evil man evil man evil man
That's what they call
Evil man evil man evil man
That's what they call me
The lyrics of Jay & The Americans's song "Monday Monday" seem to depict a narrative of a person immersed in a fast-paced, perhaps illicit, lifestyle where they are balancing between love and the allure of drugs. The repetition of "In a week we ran it up" suggests a sense of urgency and intensity in their actions, possibly referring to making money quickly or achieving success rapidly. The reference to being both loved and hated depending on one's status reflects the fickle nature of relationships and how some people only show interest in someone when they are in a vulnerable state.
The persona in the song portrays themselves as a figure of controversy, labeled as an "Evil man" by others, but seemingly unfazed by this characterization as they boast about their financial gains. The lyrics touch upon themes of materialism, with mentions of specific amounts like "Twenty grand, fifty grand, hundred grand," indicating a focus on wealth accumulation. The juxtaposition of luxury items such as a "G wagon" with the gritty reality of the trap lifestyle highlights the complexities of their existence, where they navigate between different worlds.
The lines about having multiple romantic partners and a confrontational attitude towards those who owe them money suggest a character who is unapologetically living on their own terms, despite societal judgment. There is a sense of defiance and confidence in their words, as they assert their independence and resourcefulness in making things happen, as exemplified by being "Kicked out the crib and had to make it happen." The lyrics convey a sense of bravado and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of their goals, even if it means adopting a tough exterior to survive in their environment.
Overall, the lyrics of "Monday Monday" present a vivid picture of a character navigating a high-stakes, high-reward lifestyle, where they must constantly prove themselves and assert their dominance. The repeated refrain of "Evil man" reinforces the persona's self-assured identity, unapologetically embracing their reputation and accomplishments, while also hinting at the darker aspects of their persona. The song captures the tension between love, power, and material aspirations, painting a complex portrait of an individual who thrives in the midst of chaos and ambiguity.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jaden Proctor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind