Only In America
Jay & The Americans Lyrics

Would a classy girl like you fall for a poor boy like me

Only in America
Can a kid who's washin' cars
Take a giant step and reach right up and touch the stars

Only in America
Could a dream like this come true
Could a guy like me start with nothing and end up with you

Only in America
Land of opportunity, yeah
Would a classy girl like you fall for a poor boy like me

Only in America (poor boy like me)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

The song was written at a time before integration, and the lyrics were originally about racism. It had the following chorus: "Only in America, land of opportunity, can they save a seat in the back of the bus just for me. Only in America, Where they preach the Golden Rule, will they start to march when my kids go to school." Atlantic Records had a problem with the lyrics, so the songwriters changed them to be a satiric message of patriotism.

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01Come A Little Bit Closer

02She Doesn't Know It2:40

03Strangers Tomorrow2:17

04What's The Use2:50

05Only In America2:01

PT2M1S

Jay & The Americans

06Look In My Eyes Maria2:23

07To Wait For Love2:14

08Friday3:00

09This Is It

10Come Dance With Me2:25

11Tomorrow

12Goodbye Boys Goodbye (Ciao Ragazzi Ciao)2:00

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

BB/VA

11w

The words were somewhat different initially, when performed by an African American group.

“Written by the brilliant Brill Building songwriting teams of Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller (‘Hound Dog‘, 1953; ‘Stand By Me’, 1961; ‘On Broadway‘, 1963) and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (‘On Broadway’, 1963; ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin” 1964; ‘We Gotta Get Out of This Place‘, 1965; ‘Never Gonna Let You Go‘, 1982), ‘Only in America’ was first written for and recorded by The Drifters.

“It was written at a time before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had become the law of the land, and the original lyrics when first submitted reflected the racism that existed at the time in the US:

‘Only in America, land of opportunity, can they save a seat in the back of the bus just for me / Only in America, Where they preach the Golden Rule, will they start to march when my kids go to school.’

“Atlantic Records had a problem with the original lyrics, so the songwriters rewrote them to be a satiric message about ‘patriotism’. The Drifters recorded the song with these new ‘patriotic’ lyrics, but the group refused to allow its release because they did not believe that message.

“Songwriters Mann and Weil were also upset with the changes to the song. Afterward, they began taking more control over how their songs were recorded, with Mann taking on additional studio production duties.

One of the few real protest songs written by Mann and Weil.

Galdiolur9920

Only in America
Can a guy from anywhere
Go to sleep a pauper and wake up a millionaire

Only in America
Can a kid without a cent
Get a break and maybe grow up to be President

Only in America
Land of opportunity, yeah
Would a classy girl like you fall for a poor boy like me

Only in America
Can a kid who's washin' cars
Take a giant step and reach right up and touch the stars

Only in America
Could a dream like this come true
Could a guy like me start with nothing and end up with you

Only in America
Land of opportunity, yeah
Would a classy girl like you fall for a poor boy like me

Only in America (poor boy like me)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America

All comments from YouTube:

Robert Tobiasen

42w↑11

R.I.P. Jay. Your music & voice will live on!

jsbach15

14y↑7

Awesome song. Jay Black's voice is one of the greatest in American pop music! 10+ stars!

david wood

3y↑33

Excellent song, show's how far the wheels have fallen off country.

patrick ryan

39w

Right!

patrick ryan

39w↑3

R.I.P., Jay (October, 2021). Loved so many of your songs. What a voice!

Honest Dave

4y↑57

THIS should become our national anthem. It more correctly represents the spirit of America.

mr hamburger

21w

America is no longer the land of opportunity that went away starting in the 1970s

BrandonFlorida

45w

@Rtsjunk What? History abounds with such incidents. What about the French colonization of Algeria in the 19t century? As for the slave trade, it was imported to America because it was already standard in England.

BrandonFlorida

1y↑1

@Elder74 As opposed to all the other countries of the world which have such peaceful ancient histories, or even the native Americans themselves who routinely slaughtered each other.

9 More Replies...

Diane Hill

42w↑5

Rest in Peace, Jay Black. Thanks for all the great music!

June Lynn

11y↑12

I've always LOVED this classic.....thanks for posting it

Kerry Schlegel

4y↑22

This swell group sure rocked my world in the 60's!!

Naomi W

14y↑9

I first heard it in '63 on the car radio in Grand Junction, Colorado, after being on a trip to some great places in the Southwest and on the West Coast...Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Highway 10l, Pismo Beach..back through Redwood Forest and Yosemite. Surely did conjure up some patriotism alright. And I like Canadians...go Hank Snow!

Grant Albrecht

44w

love pismo

barrygioportmorien1

Wow that was some trip. In 1998, my wife and I went on a 23 day Bus Trip, through the American southwest, Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Sedona was beautiful, New Orleans, and other great places there. I am a Canadian and I loved that trip so much.

Jim Neese

4y↑6

Great tune for the times, great memories.

B52sguy

13y↑8

Just perfect: The only song that really summed up the 60's. God!, what a magical voice. Joseph F

patrick ryan

At least the early 60s, Yes.

Jk Stevenson

10y↑22

It's a great song!

Nicole Czarnecki

8y↑24

This isn't the "Only In America" of which I was thinking, though I can definitely see why this is an American classic.

Rand Shire

11y↑1

This one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Rates with Chuck Berry's "back in the usa". love the patriotism, hate the protesting, whinny,malcontents that riddled the 60's

Mark Hallam

7y↑10

Great song great group .

Kevin Gonzalez

42w↑3

RIP Jay Black, dead today at 82. Thanks for the memories!!

OtherTwin

10y↑16

fantastic along with the drifters these guys were magic great post thanks j vincent edwards

a

42w

What band sang the original version of this song ? (…or was it this band ?).

barrygioportmorien1

8y↑6

Both versions are excellent.

Davia Humphrey

4y↑3

Love this song 😘🤙

Charles Lewis

4y↑1

I remember singing this song in elementary school 3rd or 4th grade. It's true, the American Dream is still possible! Only in America!

Rtsjunk

46w

American dream has been dead since Reagan

60s70sTheBest

One of my favorite groups and song. The song did involve some controversy before it came out. It was initially written for Ben E. King and The Drifters in 1962, however, some of the original lyrics expressed Civil Rights issues and racism that were in the forefront at that time. Deemed to be too sensitive, the recording company Atlantic refused to publish it, so the songwriters changed the questionable lyrics to a more "patriotic satire". Since 8 track studio recording was at the forefront then, The Drifters vocal track was supposedly removed, the Jay and the American vocals were inserted, and the music was tweaked a bit. The Drifters refused to record the later version because they believed the new lyrics were not part of "their" America. However, they did record and release it in 1962. The "original" unreleased version of the song by The Drifters is supposed to be available in Jay & The Americans's boxed set.

g s

3y↑2

Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed hearing this one again after so many years.

JS A

4y↑14

a long lost treasure of a song found again. Yeah!

Raymond Malcuit Jr.

7y↑12

This Song Went To Number 25 On The Billboard Hot 100 Chart In 1963.

Rosemarie Kury

5y↑21

Loved this song, and sad that people would hate this song this much. It's still true that you can get somewhere if you work for it!

Rosemarie Kury

45w

@Rtsjunk so true now.

Rtsjunk

46w

Middle class is gone. U don't have any connections u can get to live week to week

ernie bilko

3y↑6

Friend of mine saw them performing this at an oldie concert, in the middle of the song a guy streaked security pounced on him beating the crap out of him the whole time Jay never stop singing "only in America..."

Marcia Ford

9y↑39

This is one of his best!! I wish "Only In America" words were true now!!!!!! Mar.

Peter Schlosser

USA: Land of Opportunity. That's why people are still doing whatever it takes to get to America.

Eric Miller

Great comment you get it.

Richard Young

2y↑1

They are true! 2020

William Pietschman

2y↑2

They are True. Now.

Donald Chadd

4y↑2

Absitivly posilutly an excellent tune!!!

Eliot Horowitz

42w↑2

RIP Jay....an American original

ventarolaaj

3y↑11

This is my favorite j and the Americans song thanks for posting it

Desert Fox

2y↑3

I remember 1st time i got an earful this: Fresh new sound plus had never heard of them B-4. Thot it was quite the song. I still do. This group filled the '60s with their distinctive style & i was listening . . .

Elyse Kopel

12y↑2

@B52sguy Just want you to know that Jay Black (former lead singer of Jay & The Americans) did this song from his heart as he is a true American with the utmost respect for the people serving our country and for our country in general. He is a great person and truly cares. This song was a tribute to the insanity of the country at the time..

howard schwartz

14y↑2

The Drifters version that was released was exactly the same words, lyrics and tempo. It was very good.

Tom

4y↑2

JY black, Kenny and the rest of the guys, and the arrangement was superb

Deborah Geyer

3y↑1

I was 10 years old with my whole bright future ahead of me! We were Americans and there was
Nothing we Couldn’t do. G-d, I loved this song. We were looked Up to and Respected around the world-(even envied). President Kennedy told us we could do Anything-even go to the Stars!

richrdroma

14y↑4

Woaa..never heard this before... I like it a lot!!!

Lorraine Nesbitt

9y↑26

It's Jay Black! They played at my Senior Prom in the Bronx, NY!!

BrandonFlorida

1y↑1

Lucky you!

Mary Silver

They were Great! The best of their time!

123bigred

5y↑3

great song!!!

tuxguys

9y↑11

(The "white Drifters...") Always well-crafted records, this was their first big hit, and I always assumed that they were of P.R. extraction, or at least Jay Black was... and then his son, Bo, told me, while he was a student of mine, that they were Jewish. Only in America...

retrorex

7y↑31

Thanks for posting this, my friend. I just love it. Ignore the trolls; they don't really have a life. God bless the USA AND Canada (My father's Canadian and my mom was from Georgia). Thanks, again

Garry Snett

4y↑1

+Hodgepodge Buhgodge this.came.out.when.j.f.k.was.in.office.,&.look.what.we.have.now.real.bad..

Hodgepodge Buhgodge

5y↑1

Yeah, starting with, "The Mayflower" immigrants.

Debbie Klein

28w

Jay Black has one of the best male voices I know....along with Vic Damone

sauquoit13456

8y↑2

On this day in 1963 {August 11th} "Only In America"" by Jay and the Americans entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #87; and on September 22nd, 1963 it peaked at #25 {for 2 weeks} and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
Between 1962 and 1970 the Brooklyn quintet had eighteen Top 100 records; with four making the Top 10, "She Cried" {at #5 in 1962}, "Come A Little Bit closer" {at #3 in 1964}, "Cara, Mia" {at #4 in 1965}, and "This Magic Moment" {at #6 in 1969}...
The boys just missed having a fifth Top 10 record when "Let's Lock the Door" peaked at #11 {for 2 weeks} on January 31st, 1965...

Elyse Kopel

12y↑1

@B52sguy You didn't upset me at all. I understand where you were coming from and I wanted you to know that the song was really in support of all of you who did fight for our country. I was a little young, but I do remember the tension in the country and I felt and still feel for our soldiers. I think they don't get enough recognition. I have seen Jay in concert many times and he is always one to comment and offer support to those who serve our country. My comments were in support of yours.

Richard Betz

6y↑8

Best version!

Socrates Gone Mad

10y

A song from a time when social mobility really existed in this country. Kinda makes you wonder what happened, you know?

George Vreeland Hill

9y↑2

GREAT song! Thank you. George Vreeland Hill

Scott Burton

5y↑1

Interesting story behind this song-It was written by Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller-It was first recorded by The Drifters-Unfortunately,their version was never released-Jay & The Americans wound up with a top forty hit in 1963-An all-time classic.

MrTrashcan1

Scott Burton
Actually co-written with Mann & Weil who expected it to be an recorded by the Drifters specifically as a protest to racial prejudice. They were pissed when Stoller and Lieber re-worked it into quite the opposite--a song extolling the virtues of America as a place where anyone can succeed, and sung appropriately by Jay & The Americans. And a great song it is.

barrygioportmorien1

A great pair of songwriters, I didn't realize that they had written this....

Ion Kayak

1y↑1

GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸

mollyosolly

4y↑1

Just heard this song and remembered one night in Naples me and a couple of shipmates were outside the USO when a bunch of local kids ran up and started pushing us saying " Come see my sister, she's (you know what)." We chased them off and then noticed we were missing watches, wallets and even some rings. Didn't get my wallet. I learned a long time ago to keep the wallet hung in my waistband. Anyway a couple of hours later we were leaving a club when we spotted some of the kids who pick-pocked us and caught 3 of them. We took everything they had and actually ended up with a lot more than we lost. Got my watch back too.

Deborah Geyer

Bwah ha ha! Served them right!

Jon McCall

Considering this is a vocal group i suspected The Wrecking Crew might have played a role, given the timing. Low and behold, while it was a bit early for WC, Phil Spector of Wrecking Crew fame was involved! Go figure! Spector and The Wrecking Crew had their hands in so much great music from the 60's and 70's. They were a powerful and welcome influence in American music at the time.

4battis

44w↑1

Great song great era

James Mccall

3y↑2

THIS IS A GREAT COUNTRY

Rtsjunk

46w

For some

Raymond SMITH

41w

I will always love Jay and The Americans

John Perez

3y↑1

Thx for posting. Great song.

54nomore

12y

While growing up as a kid in The 50s & 60s and reaching adulthood in the 70s. This was the sentiment back then. That anything was possible here. What ever happen to that? What do you want to be when you grow-up? I still believe in this Republic of ours. America has been the hope of the world for generations. And I still believe in the people to make it great again....

Steve Dwyer

3y↑4

I was born in 74. I started listening to CBS Fm 101.1 and from then on I was hooked on Rock n roll

barrygioportmorien1

14y

Hey, I'm a Canadian, I don't think any of us took it as political, and there is nothing wrong with a little lighthearted Patriotism, no matter who you are.

John Nocera

3y↑1

Makes you proud to be an American.

Clarence Erickson

3y↑1

Reminded me of West side story,loved it.😎🐆🐅🐕🦊🐱😉

Deborah Geyer

For me too! Rita Moreno...wow, what a talented Lady, huh?! And George Sz. was Handsome as ——!

Lanciasongs Jay LLANCIASONGS PUBLISHING

7y↑1

"Only in America"" Jay and the Americans-excellent. Only in America-SAL and the Echoes-also excellent. SALVATORE J..Pappalardo had a wonderful and powerful voice just like Jay Black. Maybe better...,, I always loved this song...while in the group I. asked "Salvo"to record it.

Bruce P

Am I the only one who always thought this song would have fit in perfectly with "West Side Story?"

mswinelight

10y↑29

Made when President Kennedy was still in office. Nothing but great memories for those days!

Rtsjunk

46w

@mobrules29 I I think it's more like the party of Lincoln wouldn't recognize their party at all they've done a complete 180

Rtsjunk

46w

@mobrules29 actually most of the party wasn't progressive then,

mobrules29

2y↑7

He wouldn't recognize his old party any more.

4 More Replies...

BB/VA

11w

barrygioportmorien1

8y↑74

I uploaded this song because it is one of my favourites, I am a Canadian. If I had known it would have drawn some of the inane comments that are here, I never would have uploaded it...... It's a song, people......... I have been to the U.S. many times and I have never felt threatened, and I am not one of the rich just an average human being.....Just comment on the song there is nothing political intended.....

barrygioportmorien1

@William Pietschman Yes, agreed.

William Pietschman

I seem to recall that the song is played during the closing credits of a movie that had a Canadian Producer or Director... And had additional comments in the titles by him about the song and what it means to him. All I can say is? The USA and Canada are the Greatest Countries in the World. Period. Period!
All the Best! DE W8LV BILL (and sometimes: W8LV/VE3... ;-))

STJ

@Hodgepodge Buhgodge en tuchas kisch Mir jerkoff

RonSafreed

2y↑1

I am American & I see the 14 provences of Canada as the extended states of America & the 50 states as the extended proviences of Canada. We are 2 different countries but we Americans & Canadians are so much alike it isn't funny!!!!!

STJ

@cadegavel whatevs

20 More Replies...

Rachael Johnson

3y↑3

Many thanks I love this when I was little girl...now it's me...yepppp.

Nils Skudaarkaat

11y↑1

@barrygioportmorien1 God Bless Canadians! Great country and people!!!!

pyannaguy

11y

@JoeJasperLoca Very well put, Joe! Being against a war doesn't have to make anyone anti-soldier or un-patriotic.

Rand Shire

10y↑20

patriotism, now that's my bag!

Deborah Geyer

3y↑1

Amen to That!

1 More Replies...

Bob Cohoon

43w

" America" by Trini lopez was a good one ,too, from those early 60's

Einstein Theory

This song should be the Mexican American national anthem. The musical portion has that mariachi sound which makes it perfect.❤️

Vincent Edwards

8y↑6

great version i have it by the drifters this version is so so good lovely post j vincent edwards

Vincent Edwards

8y↑1

@barrygioportmorien1 hi barry the drifters version is up on you tube song written in the brill building by mann and weil

Vincent Edwards

8y↑1

hi barry it was a b side of early drifters go find it jay would have been a cover version but also fantastic like all his recordings cheers j vincent edwards

barrygioportmorien1

8y↑1

I don't think I have ever heard The Drifters version, I'll look for it, they are one of my favourite groups (original of course).

William Garrett

6y↑2

Check out the version they did on Hullaballoo live..its slower and Jay sings more of the parts

Brenda Lester

42w

I don't remember this song. 😳

Rest in peace, Jay Black.

Chris Mulwee

14y

You're right. I have the original by the Drifters. It's on one of the Before They Were Hits volumes, I think volumes 1 or 4

gestaltbravo

4TH OF JULY WOOOOOOO
I heard this for the first time in a long time whilst listening to American Roots on NPR

Nancy Taylor

This one's for you, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.! The second verse is you, man!

wmbrown6

12y↑1

@cmulwee001 - In addition, the original lacquers of the 45 of JATA's version were mastered at Atlantic Studios in New York - and Atlantic was The Drifters' label. (The spacing of the lead-in and lead-out, I noticed, matched what was Atlantic's mastering M.O. and S.O.P. at the time.)

Robert Williams

2y↑1

America is and always will be the Greatest Country on Earth !!!

Rtsjunk

46w

For some

mswinelight

9y↑17

This song reminds of when JFK was President.

Robert Malone

3y↑2

JFK was president when this song was popular in October 1963.

Matthew Corder

4y↑2

I agree.

Tom Crisp

10y↑1

FYI The USA does not have "A" school systm. It has thousands of school systems. There are some national standards, there are some state standards. But each town has a school system.

James Baldwin

41w

The things that he mentions in the song , could just as likely happen in many other countries, not just only in America. Mann/Weil and Leiber/Stiller wrote many great songs, but this isn’t one of them

Raymond SMITH

41w

The song is so TRUE!

R. Sherman

14y

This song always reminds me of the song BamBam sang to Pebbles in "A Man Called Flintstone". Anyone else remember that?

a

42w

R.I.P. Jay Black 🥀

Chris Mulwee

13y

I have the Drifters original, and I love it just as much, if not a little better than the famous JATA cover, although both are great songs worth listening. And, Howieshet, your right, despite what some people have either sais or written, the lyrics are exactly the same as in Jay's version. In fact both versions use the same backing track.

Thomas Lewis

42w

RIP Jay

66skate

42w

RIP Jay

elamite66

I heard this when it came out on the radio and even then at age 12 is sounded good but i didn't believe it and I have found no reason to believe it though I love America but let's get real this is not Heaven!

Deborah Geyer

It was as close to a heaven as civilization Ever had. Not for everyone, but for Many. Too bad
you never felt the dream.

Terrence Pickett

14y

The song was originally recorded by the Drifters in 1962.

Ahmed Namiq

4y↑1

I’m singing this tomorrow

Deborah Geyer

Good for you Namiq! Music...the great ‘bringer of togetherness’, huh?!

B52sguy

12y↑1

@barrygioportmorien1 Hi, Barry. No, I truly love this song. What I was trying to say was how ironic it was to come home, hear one of my all time favorites, and have these miserable war protesters act like that. I was not mad at you in the slightest. My comment was aimed at the A**holes of the hippie movement. Audie Murphy was quite the hero; my respect for him, and for you, was made for today. Cheers and have one on me. Joseph F

wmbrown6

How many familiar with this think that Kim Wilde's first big hit, 1982's "Kids In America," borrowed heavily from this, especially the chorus part here with "Only in America / Land of opportunity . . . "?

Mom Sato

2y↑1

the lyrics man

Tschunasun

6y↑1

very nice R`n Roller

Ruben Aguilar

42w

RIP JAY BLACK 🇺🇸

ken hawkins

6y↑3

fanstastic,,,thank you
ken

B52sguy

11y↑1

@puseye Hi, Whitey, Joe here: I finally found it. The poem, "The Soldier" was written by Charles M Province in 1970. He is the founder of the George S Patton, JR. Historical Society. It only took 3 days of web crawling to find it based on the first 8 lines. But find it I did. So now you have verifiable proof. Again, I thank you my Canadian friend for the common sense to post this on your page. All the best, Joseph F Portland, OR USA