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.
Things Are Changing
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
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Well, if you don't, listen; I'll tell you what to do:
Get your man, take him by the hand, and come on here to me
I'm here to tell you about equal opportunity
There was a time when the world was fickle
And it may have been hard to succeed
Well, times have changed now
It doesn't matter who you may be
Everyone's equal with the same opportunity
Things are changing for the better
Things are changing for the better
Now's the time for you to better yourself
Life's got problems, but you can make it
And I'm gonna tell you why
Just like the early bird that catches the worm
You gotta get up, go out and try
Your race or color won't stand in your way
Don't wait for tomorrow; today is your day
Things are changing for the better
Things are changing for the better
Now's the time for you to better yourself
Good jobs are out there, just waiting to be found
But they won't come to you, uh uh!
You gotta get up and look around!
(repeat last 2 lines of verse 2, then chorus)
(repeat and fade):
Things are changing for the better
The lyrics to Jay & The Americans's song "Things Are Changing" talk about how the world is changing for the better and that everyone has equal opportunities now. The song kicks off with a question directed towards women, asking if they have the type of man that everyone looks up to, and if not, they should listen and take some advice. The advice is to take their man's hand and follow the singer, who will tell them everything about equal opportunity. The next few lines talk about how it was once hard to succeed in the world, but things are now changing, and it's more about getting the right training and education.
The singer emphasizes that everyone is equal and has the same opportunity, irrespective of their race and color. The chorus repeats twice and then emphasizes that good jobs are available if you go looking for them. The singer uses the analogy of the early bird that catches the worm, which means that if you want to succeed, you have to get up early and make an effort. The song ends on a positive note, with the message being that things are changing for the better, and now is the time for everyone to better themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Girls, have you got the kind of man everyone looks up to?
Do you have a partner who is praised by all? If not, here's what you can do.
Well, if you don't, listen; I'll tell you what to do:
If you don't have an admirable partner, listen to my advice.
Get your man, take him by the hand, and come on here to me
Bring your partner to me and I will teach you about equal opportunity.
I'm here to tell you about equal opportunity
My purpose is to educate you on the importance of equal opportunity.
There was a time when the world was fickle
In the past, the world was unpredictable and uncertain.
And it may have been hard to succeed
As a result, it may have been difficult to achieve success.
Well, times have changed now
Fortunately, times have changed.
And school and training is what you really need
To succeed in this era, education and training are critical.
It doesn't matter who you may be
Your identity does not determine your opportunities.
Everyone's equal with the same opportunity
All individuals have equal opportunity to achieve success.
Things are changing for the better
The world is improving and evolving.
Now's the time for you to better yourself
This is your opportunity to improve your life.
Life's got problems, but you can make it
Life can be challenging, but you have the ability to overcome obstacles.
And I'm gonna tell you why
I will explain how you can succeed.
Just like the early bird that catches the worm
Similar to the bird that catches a worm, the key is to act early.
You gotta get up, go out and try
You must be proactive and take action to achieve success.
Your race or color won't stand in your way
One's race or skin color should not limit their opportunities.
Don't wait for tomorrow; today is your day
Do not procrastinate, your moment to act is now.
Good jobs are out there, just waiting to be found
There are abundant employment opportunities available.
But they won't come to you, uh uh!
Even though jobs are available, you must pursue them actively.
Things are changing for the better
The world is evolving positively.
Things are changing for the better
The world is evolving positively.
Now's the time for you to better yourself
This is your opportunity to improve your life.
Things are changing for the better
The world is evolving positively.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: MIKE E. LOVE, BRIAN DOUGLAS WILSON, PHILIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind