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.
She's the Girl
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good loving
The girls got pretty good lovin'
Ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so..
She used to be my girl
My Giiirl
I respect her
When she was mine
I used to neglect her
She wanted more than I could give
But as long as I live
She'll be my girl
Chorus:
She used to be my girl
She used to be my girl
She had a charming personality
The girl was so right for me
Shes my girl
And If I had the chance
I'd take her back
As a matter a fact
Right away
Like today
Not only good-lookin
The girl was so smart
Cant beat her cooking
Ask me how I know
And I'll tell you so
She used to be my girl
I still love her
I'd place noone above her
In "She's the Girl" by Jay & The Americans, the lyrics describe a man reflecting on his past relationship with a woman who used to be his girlfriend. The song highlights the singer's realization of how he took her for granted when they were together. He acknowledges that she had good qualities, including her loving nature and attractiveness, and admits that he neglected her needs. Despite their separation, he still holds deep respect and love for her and recognizes that she was right for him.
The chorus emphasizes the nostalgia and longing for the past relationship, repeating the phrase "She used to be my girl." It conveys a sense of regret and a desire to have her back in his life. The lyrics also mention her charming personality and intelligence, along with her exceptional cooking skills. The singer believes that if given the chance, he would reunite with her immediately, as he still loves her and considers her irreplaceable.
Overall, "She's the Girl" portrays a story of lost love, regret, and the realization of the value of a past relationship. It serves as a reminder to appreciate and cherish what one has before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Sh-Sh-Should've x4
I should have appreciated her more when she was mine
Good loving
She was great at showing love and affection
The girls got pretty good lovin'
She knows how to love and take care of someone
Ask me how I know
I have personal experience and knowledge of her love
And I'll tell you so..
I'll gladly share and express how she used to love me
She used to be my girl
She used to be the one I loved and cherished
My Giiirl
She was the most important person in my life
I respect her
I have deep admiration and regard for her as a person
When she was mine
During the time when we were together
I used to neglect her
I didn't give her the attention and care she deserved
She wanted more than I could give
She desired a deeper and more fulfilling relationship than I could provide
But as long as I live
For as long as I exist
She'll be my girl
She'll always hold a special place in my heart
Chorus: She used to be my girl
In the past, she was the one I loved
She had a charming personality
She had a delightful and attractive character
The girl was so right for me
She was the perfect match for me
Shes my girl
She belongs to me in my heart
And If I had the chance
If given the opportunity
I'd take her back
I would want to be with her again
As a matter a fact
In fact, without a doubt
Right away
Immediately or without delay
Like today
As soon as possible, even now
Not only good-lookin
She was not just attractive in appearance
The girl was so smart
She was intelligent and clever
Cant beat her cooking
Her culinary skills were outstanding
Ask me how I know
I can provide evidence and testify to her cooking abilities
And I'll tell you so
I'll gladly share and express how she cooked so well
I still love her
I continue to have feelings of love for her
I'd place noone above her
No one else can compare to her in my heart
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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