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Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster

Five Americans was a 1960s American band, most famous for the song "Western Union", which reached #5 in the U.S. Billboard chart, and was their only single to chart in the Top 20. "Western Union" contains the most repetitive word or phrase (in this case, the imitative word "dit") in a Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 record.

The Five Americans, previously known as The Mutineers, were from Durant, Oklahoma (Southeastern State College). For a short while after their hits "I See The Light", "Western Union", "Sound of Love", "Evol Not Love" and "Zipcode", they toured. However, their manager, Jon Abdnor Senior, president and owner of Abnak Records and Bankers Management and Services Insurance Co., was allowed control of their finances. After Abdnor's death in 1996, all rights to their songs should have reverted to the original group, but Sundazed Records bought the original tapes. The Five Americans had at least five singles in, or close to, the Top 40 and are now receiving the sales and publishing royalties.

The Five Americans broke up in 1969 and went their separate ways. Mike Rabon had a successful touring career afterwards, released two albums that sold well, and played guitar for the Tyler, Texas, pop group, Gladstone, whose "A Piece of Paper" reached #45 in October 1972. He later returned to college and acquired a master's degree in public school administration, and has been in the Oklahoma school systems for 28 years. John Durrill, the keyboardist, wrote "Dark Lady" for Cher and "Misery and Gin" for Merle Haggard, and was also a member of the touring band The Ventures. He now lives in Los Angeles. Norman Ezell (guitar and harmonica) was a teacher and minister in Northern California. Ezell died of cancer on May 8, 2010 at the age of 68. Jim Grant, bassist died on November 29, 2004. Jimmy Wright (drummer) is living in Ohio and is a videographer for Breakthrough Ministries.

As of July 2008, there was an online petition to induct the Five Americans into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The petition amassed over four hundred signatures.

In 1966 & 1967, this Dallas group enjoyed some modest national success with the number five hit "Western Union," as well as a few other Top 40 entries, "I See the Light," "Zip Code," and "Sound of Love." Dominated by high, bubbling organ lines and clean harmony vocals, the group favored high-energy pop/rock far more than British Invasion or R&B-inspired sounds, although a bit of garage/frat rock raunch could be detected in their stomping rhythms. Recording prolifically throughout the last half of the '60s (often with ex-rockabilly star Dale Hawkins as producer), and writing much of their own material, they were ultimately too lightweight and bubblegum-ish to measure up to either the era's better pop/rock or garage bands. Their 1966 hit "I See the Light" is their toughest and best performance.

01. I See The Light 2:09
02. The Losing Game 2:35
03. Goodbye 3:07
04. I Know They Lie 2:52
05. Twist And Shout 2:03
06. She's-a-my Own 1:50
07. The Train 3:12
08. It's A Crying Shame 2:29
09. I'm So Glad 2:14
10. Don't Blame Me 2:05
11. The Outcast 2:10
12. What'd I Say 2:41
13. The Train (previously Unissued Alternate Version) 3:01
14. Good Times (previously Unissued Alternate Version) 2:28