The Drifters (Rudy Lewis lead vocalist, Johnny Moore, Gene Pearson, Johnny Terry and Charlie Thomas) recorded "Only In America" (Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller - Barry Mann - Cynthia Weil) in 1963. Wikipedia: "The song was written at a time before integration, and the lyrics were originally about racism. It had the following chorus: "Only in America, land of opportunity, can they save a seat in the back of the bus just for me. Only in America, Where they preach the Golden Rule, will they start to march when my kids go to school." Atlantic Records had a problem with the lyrics, so the songwriters changed them to be a satiric message of patriotism. The Drifters recorded the song with these new "patriotic" lyrics, but refused to release it because they did not believe that message.

Later that year Jay And The Americans (Jay Black lead vocalist, Jay Dean, Howard Kane, Marty Sanders and Kenny Vance) recorded their vocals over the original "Only In America" backing track used by The Drifters as produced by Leiber and Stoller. The tune peaked at number twenty-five on Billboard.