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.
Howie Kane passed in 2023 due to injuries from a car accident. His replacement is Darren Dowler of Paul Revere & The Raiders, who sings Kenny’s part and occasionally fills in for Sandy Deanne who has cut back his tour dates.
Some Enchanted Evening
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
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You may see a stranger across a crowded room
And somehow you know, you know even then
That somewhere you'll see her again and again
Some enchanted evening, someone may be laughing
You may hear her laughing across a crowded room
And night after night, as strange as it seemsThe sound of her laughter will sing in your dreams
Who can explain it, who can tell you why
Fools give you reasons, wise men never try
Some enchanted evening, when you find your true love
When you feel her call you across a crowded room
Then fly to her side and make her your own
Or all through your life you may dream all alone
Once you have found her, never let her go
Once you have found her, never let her go
The song "Some Enchanted Evening" by Jay & The Americans describes the magical and almost mystical feeling of falling in love at first sight. The lyrics suggest that during a special moment, a person may see a stranger across a crowded room and instantly feel like they know that person. It's as if destiny is guiding them towards this individual, and the feeling is so strong that they know they will see them again.
As the song implies, this chance encounter could take place during a special evening when a person is more inclined to be open and receptive to new experiences. The lyrics suggest that laughter may be a key element in this enchanting moment, as it often signals a carefree and happy atmosphere.
The song's lyrics acknowledge that this feeling is difficult to explain, as it is not based solely on rational thought or logic. It can be tempting to try to explain this feeling, but the song advises against it. It suggests that "wise men never try" because this feeling is beyond the grasp of words or reason.
Overall, the song "Some Enchanted Evening" captures the excitement, uncertainty, and mystery that can surround falling in love. The lyrics suggest that when this magical moment does occur, it is important to seize the opportunity and not let it slip away.
Line by Line Meaning
Some enchanted evening you may see a stranger
In one magical evening, you might spot someone unknown to you
You may see a stranger across a crowded room
You could notice a new person at a place filled with many people
And somehow you know, you know even then
You have an intuition, which makes you certain that you will meet the person again
That somewhere you'll see her again and again
You will have several chances to see that person shortly
Some enchanted evening, someone may be laughing
On a magical evening, someone could be enjoying to the fullest
You may hear her laughing across a crowded room
As you're amidst many people, you can hear her laughter distinctly
And night after night, as strange as it seems
Despite it sounding unusual, every night it will be the same
The sound of her laughter will sing in your dreams
The sound of her laughter will play in your mind even when you're asleep
Who can explain it, who can tell you why
It is tough to justify, to determine the rationale for this behavior
Fools give you reasons, wise men never try
It's a waste of time to listen to reasons given by fools, wise men do not even venture into trying
Some enchanted evening, when you find your true love
One magical evening, when you come across your love, whom you believe to be perfect
When you feel her call you across a crowded room
You feel that she's calling you even though you cannot see or hear it
Then fly to her side and make her your own
Hurry to be beside her-kissing her, loving her, promising to care for her forever
Or all through your life you may dream all alone
If you fail to win her heart, you can spend the rest of your life wistfully dreaming about her
Once you have found her, never let her go
Once you have her with you, don't let her go- she's too precious to lose
Once you have found her, never let her go
Once you have her with you, don't let her go- she's too precious to lose
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind