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.
Tonight
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
So can you come with me? (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
Can you keep me company? (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
Can you keep me company, ayy ayy
I don't wanna be alone tonight (no, no, no)
I just got done with a show tonight (makin', makin' money)
So much goin' on in my life
So much goin' on in my life
I don't know if I'm wrong or right (yeah, yeah)
I got motherfuckers prayin', prayin' I fall
Women, women that wanna take my dough
But I'm focused, focused, I don't notice, notice
I'm still glowing, glowing, look at me balling (swish)
Ballin' like Lebron, I'm the king (king)
I won't ever quit, I put that on everything, yeah (woo)
My name's known worldwide (worldwide, wide)
But I still need someone by my side, yeah (it's you)
Oh baby, are you down to ride?
Lemme know
I don't gotta lotta time 'cause
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
So can you come with me? (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
Can you keep me company? (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
So can you come with me? (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
Can you keep me company
Ayy, ayy, you don't bring your man here
Ayy 아주 좋아 오늘은 내가 네 애인이야
Ayy, ayy, ayy, let me, let me spend my paper
뭘 하고 싶은지는 I ain't gotta mention
Maybe, maybe you can spend your time on me
난 너랑 작업하러 같이 갈래 작업실로 (oh)
네 Double D가 대신 대답하지 씰룩 (true)
몇 시간만 지나면 네 몸은 see through (yeah, yeah)
I don't want no lonely nights (nights)
I can do you proper
어서 맘을 정해 난 시간이 많진 않아
Don't want no lonely nights ayy
Baby, you're my type
You don't want no lonely nights, too
You gon' love this pipe, yeah
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
So can you come with me? (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
Can you keep me company? (ooh, ooh)
I don't wanna be alone tonight
I don't wanna be alone tonight
I be workin', workin', workin', getting no sleep
So my mama worried, worried, worried 'bout me
I'm tryna put whole team on, we hustlin', we grindin' all day
Like Kanye like we got none to eat
Time be flying by, I'm the kind of guy
Riding for my side, it's a homicide
When I'm on the mic, they just cry and cry
We couldn't see eye to eye
If you were goliath height
I'm all the way the up, oh (way up)
I'm not tryna fuck you, ah
I just wanna love you
It's that turn down
Sip some Henny in your room now
Netflix is soundin' real cool now
Resting my head right on you now, ooh wow
I don't wanna be alone tonight ('lone, 'lone, 'lone)
I don't wanna be alone tonight (swish)
The song "Tonight" by Jay & The Americans is about the singer's desire to not be alone after a show. The singer is a famous and wealthy individual who has people praying for their downfall and others looking to take their money. Despite this, the singer remains focused on their career and is still very successful. However, despite their fame, they still desire companionship and support in their life.
The song is essentially a plea to the person they are addressing to keep them company and not leave them alone. The song is made more interesting because it is a mix of English and Korean lyrics. The Korean lyrics add a layer of depth and international appeal to the song.
The song has a pulsing beat that gives it an infectious quality that is sure to get people dancing. The lyrics are catchy and easy to sing along to, making it a fun addition to any party playlist. This is a classic example of a song that makes you want to get up and dance.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna be alone tonight (ooh, ooh)
The singer is looking for someone to keep them company tonight and not be alone.
So can you come with me? (ooh, ooh)
The singer is asking if the person can come with them and not leave them alone.
Can you keep me company? (ooh, ooh)
The singer is asking if the person can stay with them and not let them be alone.
I just got done with a show tonight (makin', makin' money)
The singer just finished a performance and made money.
So much goin' on in my life
The singer's life is very busy and they have a lot of things happening.
I don't know if I'm wrong or right (yeah, yeah)
The singer is uncertain if they are making the right decisions in their life.
Women, women that wanna take my dough
There are women who are interested in the singer only because of their money.
I'm still glowing, glowing, look at me balling (swish)
The singer is successful and feeling proud of themselves.
Ballin' like Lebron, I'm the king (king)
The singer feels like they are on top of the world like a king.
I don't gotta lotta time 'cause
The singer doesn't have a lot of time to spend with someone.
My name's known worldwide (worldwide, wide)
The singer is famous and their name is known all over the world.
Oh baby, are you down to ride?
The singer is asking if the person is willing to go with them and be their partner.
Maybe, maybe you can spend your time on me
The singer is suggesting that the person spend their time with them.
Don't want no lonely nights ayy
The singer doesn't want to be alone at night and wants someone to spend time with.
I can do you proper
The singer promises to treat the other person well.
Resting my head right on you now, ooh wow
The singer is relaxing and getting comfortable around the other person.
I don't wanna be alone tonight ('lone, 'lone, 'lone)
The singer still doesn't want to be alone tonight.
It's that turn down
The mood is being set in a comfortable manner.
I'm not tryna fuck you, ah
The singer is not just looking for a hookup tonight.
I just wanna love you
The singer just wants affection and companionship from the other person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Woogie, Jay Park, Min Sik Kwon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ed Heffernan
How can anyone not fall in love with this song- done perfectly, I love then and now. Thanks.
howard264
I loved this song then, as a youngster on the Lower east Side of N.Y. City. I loved it then, I love it more now. A real New York sound!
MTN - A Rainbow Pastures Company
This was their very first single, but it never cracked the Top 40 until “She Cried” became their first hit to reached the Top 5.
Bill White
This song was a hit in the Tri-State area.It sold 45,000....It was Traynor's 1st release with the Americans........
P.S....the photo to the left is Jay Seigel-Bill White & Jay Traynor
John "Jay" Traynor 1943-2014 RIP
Frankie C
Released in 1961 not 1962. Reviewed in Cashbox in the Sept. 23,1961 issue.
MTN - A Rainbow Pastures Company
It was released in 1961, but “She Cried” came a year later.
Ellis Kay
great song but enough with wasting 30 seconds of promoting yourself