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.
What's The Use
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're all estranged yeah
Broke and in control of nothing
Sell or to buy?
You're cute I'm lucky
I feel it coming down
I feel the rumbling ground
If you feel the same way
Aw, what's the use
Ride the bloodline destination manifests over time become what you don't like shake it off and know your kind all alone so alone I'm on a soul cruise in my mind come along dig it
The lyrics to Jay & The Americans's song "What's The Use" contain several themes and ideas. The opening lines reference lost childhood innocence and the passage of time, with the mention of "Wild Boys" (presumably referring to mischievous youth) being replaced by more mature interests like watching television and being aware of pollution. The line "all alone so alone" suggests a sense of loneliness or feeling disconnected from others. The phrase "soul cruise in my mind" implies a journey of self-discovery and introspection.
The following lines continue to convey a sense of detachment and frustration. The line "You're all estranged" suggests a feeling of disconnection from others, while the phrase "broke and in control of nothing" reflects a state of financial and personal instability. The question "Sell or to buy?" implies a contemplation of one's values and priorities.
The lyrics then shift to a more positive tone, with the mention of someone being cute and the singer feeling lucky. The lines "I feel it coming down, I feel the rumbling ground" could be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of a major life change or revelation. The lyrics then invite someone to join the singer in escaping from the world's troubles, suggesting a desire for a fresh start or new perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost the Wild Boys taped over Pinochio over time watched the Range Kings zapping pollutant scum from the sky all alone so alone I'm on a soul cruise in my mind come along dig it
In my journey through life, I have left behind my adventurous and imaginative childhood (Wild Boys) and replaced it with conformity and artificiality (Pinochio). Over time, I have witnessed those in power (Range Kings) doing their part to eliminate the harmful elements (pollutant scum) that cloud our world. However, despite being surrounded by others, I still feel isolated and detached from reality, seeking solace in my own thoughts and introspection.
You're all estranged yeah
I feel disconnected and alienated from everyone around me.
Broke and in control of nothing
I am financially struggling, and I have no power or influence over my circumstances.
Sell or to buy?
Am I just a product to be sold or a consumer who buys into the expectations and norms of society? I question my purpose and whether I have the freedom to choose.
You're cute I'm lucky
Despite my struggles and feelings of isolation, I am fortunate to have someone who finds me attractive and charming.
I feel it coming down
I sense an impending change or challenge approaching.
I feel the rumbling ground
There is an underlying turmoil or instability in the world around me.
If you feel the same way
If you also experience similar emotions and existential dilemmas.
Let's runaway world's not stopping itself
Let's escape from the burdens and pressures of the world because it won't pause or slow down on its own.
Aw, what's the use
Expressing frustration and resignation towards the seemingly futile and meaningless aspects of life.
Ride the bloodline destination manifests over time become what you don't like shake it off and know your kind all alone so alone I'm on a soul cruise in my mind come along dig it
Embrace your family heritage and ancestral lineage, but also acknowledge that your true path and identity may evolve over time. Reject the aspects of yourself that you dislike and break free from them. Despite feeling alone, I am embarking on a personal journey within my own thoughts and emotions, inviting others to join and understand me better.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Aaron Thedford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind