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 Will My Mary Say
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heart is showing (don't go)
I better hurry away
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say
Your lips are thrilling
My arms are willing
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say
What would I do if she should meet me
And find me kissing you
She's always trusted me completely
Her poor heart would break in two
I must be going (don't go)
My heart is showing (don't go)
I better hurry away
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say
(Don't go)
(Don't go)
The song "What Will Mary Say" by Jay & The Americans is a ballad about a man who is torn between his current love interest and his faithful girlfriend, Mary. He knows that he shouldn't be with the other person, as it goes against his relationship with Mary, but his heart is drawn to them. His fear of Mary finding out his infidelity and the consequences that would follow drive him to leave, but he also wonders what Mary would say if she found out about his unfaithfulness.
The lyrics reveal the inner conflict of the singer, who seems to be struggling with his own moral compass. He recognizes that his actions could hurt Mary, who has always trusted him, but he is still drawn to the other person. The repetitive phrase "If I don't leave, I'll be sorry" emphasizes the fear and guilt that he feels, and the uncertainty of what may happen to his relationship with Mary.
Overall, the song portrays a common dilemma that people experience – the conflict between loyalty and temptation. It highlights the importance of being honest with oneself and one's partner in relationships, as dishonesty can lead to heartbreak and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
I must be going (don't go)
I need to leave so that I don't cause any problems with Mary.
My heart is showing (don't go)
I have feelings for you, but I know that it's wrong.
I better hurry away
I need to leave right now before things get worse.
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
If I don't leave now, I will regret it later.
What will my Mary say
I'm worried about how Mary will react if she finds out about us.
Your lips are thrilling
I'm attracted to you and your kisses.
My arms are willing
I'm tempted to stay and hold you, even though I know I shouldn't.
I know that I shouldn't stay
I realize that I need to leave, even though it's hard.
What would I do if she should meet me
I'm worried about what would happen if Mary caught me kissing you.
And find me kissing you
If Mary discovered us in a compromising position, it would be very bad.
She's always trusted me completely
Mary has always had faith in me and I don't want to betray that trust.
Her poor heart would break in two
If Mary found out about us, it would hurt her deeply and I don't want to do that.
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
I really should leave now or else I will regret it.
What will my Mary say
I hope that Mary doesn't find out about us because it would hurt her.
(Don't go)
I know that I should leave, but it's hard to resist you.
(Don't go)
I need to go, but I really don't want to.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Eddie Snyder, Paul Vance
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jsbach15
Wow! This is my favorite version of the classic. Jay Black's voice is so powerful and full of emotion. Wonderful!
Bobbie LaVanway
Love this, so smoothly done
Betty Scarselli
He has a gorgeous voice
jerseyragazz1
I try to see him in person whenever he performs locally, usually at the Basie theatre in Red Bank. He still has a powerful voice to go along with his sometimes comical routine.
Conrad
LOVE this version! Thanks! : )
edward gibbons
Jay Black has a better voice than Johnny Mathis!
Joanie Lorentz
Just beautiful, love this❤️
Joel Reinleib
This song is so dramatic and so well performed by Jay Black.
Mary Lynn Johnson-Kerker
@CSAcitizen Feather there is a version with early Jay and Americans with Jay Traynor. This is done 1968 with Jay Black. It was released as a 45
CSAcitizen Feather
It's Jay Traynor singing it.
Jay Traynor has a dynamic voice.