If you walked into a Brooklyn soda shop in 1962, you wouldn't just hear music. You’d hear a certain kind of drama. It was operatic, a bit sweaty, and completely unashamed. That’s the vibe of Jay & the Americans greatest hits, a collection that somehow survived the British Invasion without losing its New York soul. Most groups from that era were either surf-rockers or folkies, but these guys? They were doing something much weirder and more enduring.
The group didn't just have one "Jay." It had two. And then a third. Honestly, the hand-offs between lead singers are what make their hits so fascinating to track. You’ve got the early, moody stuff with Jay Traynor and then the soaring, glass-shattering era of Jay Black. If you're looking for a definitive "best of," you're really looking at a timeline of how American pop transitioned from doo-wop to full-blown orchestral rock.
The Secret History of Only in America
One of the weirdest stories in pop history hides behind "Only in America." It’s a staple on any Jay & the Americans greatest hits compilation. But did you know it was never meant for them? The legendary songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller actually wrote it for The Drifters.
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Wait. Think about that for a second.
The Drifters were a Black vocal group. In 1963, singing about how "only in America" a kid could grow up to be President was intended as a biting, satirical protest song about racial inequality. The record label got cold feet. They didn't want the controversy. So, they wiped the vocals and had Jay & the Americans sing over the track instead. It turned from a protest song into a straight-faced patriotic anthem.
The irony is thick, but it worked. It became a Top 30 hit.
Why Cara Mia is Still a Vocal Nightmare
If you’ve ever tried to sing "Cara Mia" at karaoke, you’ve probably failed. Most people do. Jay Black—born David Blatt—had a voice that shouldn't have belonged to a kid from Brooklyn. It was a four-octave monster. When he joined the group in 1962, replacing Jay Traynor, he brought a level of operatic intensity that changed their trajectory completely.
"Cara Mia" is the crown jewel of the Jay & the Americans greatest hits tracklist. It hit number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. Even more impressive? It stayed a cult hit for decades, eventually hitting number one in the Netherlands in 1980 during a random resurgence.
- She Cried (1962): The first big hit. It reached #5.
- Come a Little Bit Closer (1964): Their highest charter at #3. Total earworm.
- This Magic Moment (1968): A gold record. It sold over a million copies.
- Walkin' in the Rain (1969): A moody cover that proved they still had "it" at the end of the decade.
The Steely Dan Connection Nobody Mentions
People always forget that Jay & the Americans were a training ground for geniuses. In the late '60s and early '70s, the touring band included two young guys named Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Yeah, that Steely Dan.
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Jay Black used to call them "the Manson brothers" because of their long hair and general vibe. They weren't exactly a perfect fit for a clean-cut vocal group, but they helped craft the sound of the later records. It’s wild to think that the architects of Aja were once playing "This Magic Moment" on the road.
The Modern Resurgence
Why are we still talking about Jay & the Americans greatest hits in 2026? A lot of it comes down to movies. When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 featured "Come a Little Bit Closer" during a massive action scene, a whole new generation of kids started streaming it.
The song isn't just "oldies" music anymore. It's cinematic. It has that building tension that modern editors love. The same goes for "This Magic Moment," which has been used in everything from The Sandlot to The Sopranos. These songs have a theatricality that doesn't age the way standard 12-bar blues songs do.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that the group was just a "cover band." Sure, they did covers. "This Magic Moment" was originally a Drifters song, and "Crying" was a Roy Orbison track. But their arrangements were often more complex than the originals. They added layers of New York street-corner harmony that made the songs feel more "big city" and less "Nashville."
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Another thing? The name. The group was almost called "Binky Jones and the Americans." Seriously. Producers Leiber and Stoller wanted something "fun," but the band fought back. They settled on "Jay" as a compromise because it sounded more professional. Good move, guys. Binky & the Americans probably wouldn't have sold 15 million records.
How to Listen to the Hits Today
If you're hunting for the best way to hear these tracks, look for the 1995 EMI release titled simply Greatest Hits. It’s got the cleanest remasters of the 10 core essentials.
- Start with "She Cried" to hear the early Traynor-led sound.
- Move to "Cara Mia" to witness Jay Black's peak power.
- Finish with "Capture the Moment" from 1970 to see how they tried to adapt to the psychedelic era.
Don't bother with the re-recorded versions from the '80s and '90s. They’re fine for nostalgia, but they lack the punch of the original United Artists sessions. The originals have that specific "Wall of Sound" echo that defines the 1960s.
The group eventually fractured. Jay Black kept the name for a while before losing it in a bankruptcy auction to original member Sandy Deanne. It was a messy, public ending for a group that sounded so harmonious on record. But the music is what stays.
Go find a copy of the Jay & the Americans greatest hits collection. Put on "Come a Little Bit Closer." Turn it up loud. You’ll hear exactly why these Brooklyn kids were able to stare down the Beatles and hold their ground on the charts for ten straight years.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Credits: Look for the name "David Blatt" on early vinyl pressings; those are the rare original Jay Black era releases.
- Compare Versions: Listen to the Drifters' 1960 version of "This Magic Moment" side-by-side with the 1968 Jay & the Americans version to hear how they modernized the vocal arrangement.
- Support the Legacy: Sandy Deanne, Marty Sanders, and Jay Reincke (the "third Jay") still perform; checking out a live show is the only way to hear those four-part harmonies in person.