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.
The Grass Will Sing
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
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I will sing praise to my Elohim while I have my being
My meditation of Him shall be sweet
I will be glad, I will be glad in Yahweh
Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
I will sing unto Yahweh as long as I live
I will sing praise to my Elohim while I have my being
My meditation of You shall be sweet
I will be glad, I will be glad in Yahweh
Oh bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
The lyrics to "The Grass Will Sing" by Jay & The Americans are deeply rooted in religious and spiritual themes. The song expresses a devotion to Yahweh (a Hebrew name for God) and a commitment to praise and worship Him for as long as the person lives.
The first verse emphasizes the singer's intention to continually sing praises to Yahweh throughout their life. They express a deep connection with their Elohim (another Hebrew term for God) and find solace and joy in meditating on Him. This suggests that their relationship with God brings them comfort and a sense of peace.
The repetition of the phrase "Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh" in the chorus further emphasizes the singer's desire to honor and exalt God. The use of "thou" and "ye" indicates a formal and reverential tone, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and worshiping God.
The second verse reaffirms the singer's commitment to singing and praising Yahweh. They continue to find solace in meditating on the divine, and their happiness is derived from their relationship with God. This suggests that their faith and devotion bring them inner joy and contentment.
Overall, "The Grass Will Sing" conveys a profound sense of reverence and devotion to God. The lyrics poetically express the singer's commitment to worshiping and praising Yahweh for as long as they live, finding solace and joy in their faith. The repetition in the chorus further emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and giving thanks to God.
Line by Line Meaning
I will sing unto Yahweh as long as I live
Throughout my entire life, I will joyfully sing songs dedicated to Yahweh.
I will sing praise to my Elohim while I have my being
In every moment I exist, I will express my admiration and worship for my God.
My meditation of Him shall be sweet
My thoughts and reflections on Him will bring me peace and contentment.
I will be glad, I will be glad in Yahweh
My joy and happiness will find their source in Yahweh, giving me a reason to rejoice.
Bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
I exalt and honor Yahweh with all my being, praising Him wholeheartedly.
Oh bless thou Yahweh, oh my soul, praise ye Yahweh
With deep reverence and gratitude, I bless Yahweh and offer Him my sincere praise.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: DONYA MARIE BROCKWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind