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.
When You Dance
Jay & The Americans Lyrics
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When you dance you'll squeeze her, yes, with all your might
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
Well, hold her tight when you dance
When you dance you'll feel the warmth of her embrace
Then you'll know this feeling, yeah, is no disgrace
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
You may do a rhumba or a tango
Mambo, calypso or a strand
Lights are turned down low
You go hand and
When you dance be sure to hold her tight
When you dance you'll squeeze her, yes, with all your might
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
Hold her tight
The lyrics for Jay & The Americans's "When You Dance" speak to the excitement and passion of dancing with someone you love. The song encourages the listener to hold their dance partner tight and to embrace the thrill of being close to one another. The lyrics mention various dance styles, including rhumba, tango, mambo, calypso, and strand, suggesting that this feeling can be found in any type of dance.
The song's chorus is particularly meaningful, as it repeats the phrase "Hold her tight when you dance" multiple times. It emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and cherishing the time spent with your dance partner. The lyrics speak to a timeless feeling of connection and intimacy that can be found through dancing.
Overall, "When You Dance" is a love song that celebrates the joy of dancing with someone you care about. Its upbeat melody and catchy lyrics make it a classic tune that continues to be enjoyed by generations of music fans.
Line by Line Meaning
When you dance be sure to hold her, hold her tight
Take care to embrace your partner tightly when dancing
When you dance you'll squeeze her, yes, with all your might
You'll want to hold your partner close with all your strength while dancing
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
Feeling your partner's proximity during the dance is an exhilarating experience
Well, hold her tight when you dance
Make sure to keep your partner close throughout the dance
When you dance you'll feel the warmth of her embrace
Dancing with your partner allows you to feel the warmth of their embrace
Then you'll know this feeling, yeah, is no disgrace
Feeling emotional or vulnerable during the dance is not shameful
You may do a rhumba or a tango
Different styles of dance can be performed with your partner
Mambo, calypso or a strand
Other dance styles like Mambo, Calypso or Strand can also be performed with your partner
Lights are turned down low
The lighting during the dance is typically dim or low
You go hand and
You are joined with your partner during the dance
Well, hold her tight when you dance
Keep holding your partner close during the dance to enhance the experience
When you dance you'll squeeze her, yes, with all your might
You'll want to hold your partner as closely as possible while dancing
Such a thrill, oh, when she's close to you
The feeling of being near your partner while dancing is a source of excitement and joy
Hold her tight
Keep holding your partner close throughout the dance for maximum intimacy
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANDREW JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind