Pop Rock Music

The song “Come A Little Bit Closer” by Jay and The Americans is a sixties rock and roll story song. It was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart (later known for songs for The Monkees) and Wes Farrell. In 1964, it went to #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #4 on Cashbox, and #1 in Canada. Because the song was so popular, Jay and The Americans were able to join The Beatles on their first American tour, as did The Righteous Brothers.

Jay and The Americans formed in Queens, New York, in the late 1950s. They  auditioned for the songwriters/producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who liked them, and gave the group their name. Group members were originally John “Jay” Traynor, Howard Kane, Kenny Vance, and Sandy Deanne. Traynor left in 1964 and was replaced by Jay Black (his name was David, but he changed it to Jay when he joined the group as the lead vocalist).  Guitarist Marty Sanders also joined the group.

Here are the lyrics for “Come a Little Bit Closer” by Jay and The Americans:

“In a little cafe
Just the other side of the border
She was just sitting there givin’ me looks
That made my mouth water

So I started walking her way
She belonged to bad man, José
And I knew, yes I knew I should leave
When I heard her say, yeah

Come a little bit closer
You’re my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer
I’m all alone and the night is so long

So we started to dance
In my arms, she felt so inviting
And I just couldn’t resist
Just one little kiss, so exciting

Then I heard the guitar player say
“Vamoose, José’s on his way”
Then I knew, yes I knew I should run
But then I heard her say, yeah

Come a little bit closer
You’re my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer
I’m all alone and the night is so long

Then the music stopped
When I looked the cafe was empty
Then I heard José say
“Man, you know you’re in trouble plenty”

So I dropped my drink from my hand
And through the window I ran
And as I rode away
I could hear her say to José, yeah

Come a little bit closer
You’re my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer
I’m all alone and the night is so long

La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la
Wo oh ho
I still hear her say
I still hear her say”

For another song by Jay and the Americans: “Cara Mia.”
Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Come a Little Bit Closer” by Jay and The Americans.