Emerging from the English-Indian underground, Sean's first album featured political content as well as emotional songwriting baring his personal insecurities and struggles, all of it drawing influence from the traditional pop music of India (such as Bhangra). Released 8 November 2004 in the U.K., January 2005 in Malaysia, and February 2005 in India on 2Point9 Records, Relentless Records, and Virgin Records, 'Me Against Myself' achieved highly supportive critical reviews, with Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music praising Sean's work as "an album of phenomenally accomplished R&B". His release was certified as multi-platinum in his native India and gold in the U.K. His three singles (composed with help from Sean's mentor Rishi Rich) also met with British chart success: "Dance With You" (#12), "Eyes On You" (#6), and "Stolen" (#4).
Sean's touring, as well as the success of his singles in clubs, led Tareck Ghoneim of Contactmusic.com to call Sean an "Asian sensation". Still, he had his eyes on breaking into the U.S. while also keeping his stride with the U.K. charts, and he wanted as well to incorporate more of a slick pop sound to his coming work. His sophomore release, 'My Own Way', featured him on the cover looking as dapper in his light brown suit as a master of business. Released 12 May 2008 on Jayded Records and 2Point9 Records, the work suffered from various leaks and also received some mixed reviews from critics.
Nonetheless, the album became commercially successful in the U.K., reaching #6 on the U.K. Albums Chart and #1 on the UK R&B Chart. It eventually became certified platinum. Lead single "Ride It" also garnered major airplay throughout Europe, featuring Sean remarking about "all about the games people play across the dance-floor on a night out". Momentum building, his third studio album, 'All or Nothing', came out 23 November 2009 with strong promotion in the U.S.
International top 40 singles "Down" and "Do You Remember" cemented Sean's status as a global superstar. With massive tours leading him from TV show to stadium across countries, "Down" (also known as "Down (Feat. Lil' Wayne)" and other titles due to Lil' Wayne's presence) in particular hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming later known as one of the iconic singles of 2009 in American memory. Other nation's listeners also gave his singles strong airplay.
The first official single from Jay Sean's fourth studio album, titled 'Worth It All', was "I'm All Yours", which he sent for airplay on April 18, 2012. The song featured rapper and entertainer Pitbull. Although not quite achiving as much success as he had hoped in the U.S., it became a major international hit, reaching the top 40 in both Germany and New Zealand, and it ended up being mutli-platinum certified in Australia.
When it comes to the business of being a singer there are artists, there are stars and there are phenomenons. Jay Sean is all of the above. The proof is in the press, the sales, the fans and above all, the music.
ALL OR NOTHING is both Jay Sean's first American release and first for Cash Money/Universal Republic Records. But while it's his debut over here, the 29-year-old Pop/R&B singer/songwriter/producer has been a major sensation and multi-platinum artist over there since 2004; releasing two smash albums, scoring two top ten singles, nominated for Britain's heralded MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award twice and building a worldwide, fervid fan-base that stretches from Russia to Australia to NYC.
In some ways ALL OR NOTHING is the best of both worlds. Featuring sizzling, brand new tracks like the lead off single "Down" (featuring label mate Lil' Wayne), ALL OR NOTHING also includes some of the songs that helped Jay Sean blow up around the rest of the world.
One of those songs is "Ride It" written "strictly on a vibe," built on a hypnotic, sinewy track, and delivered with Jay Sean's slick vocals. The video for "Ride It" clocked an astonishing 12 million hits on You Tube (20+ million hits across all online video channels) and captivated fans everywhere; including Cash/Money Records CEO and co-founder, Ronald "Slim" Williams who was turned on to Jay Sean's music by one of the singer's producers. Slim liked what he heard and proved it by making Jay Sean the first UK artist to join the Cash/Money family.
The match up of Nawlins swagger and UK Pop/R&B drives ALL OR NOTHING's first single "Down" ft/ Cash/Money soldier Lil' Wayne. Already taking radio by storm, "Down" resulted from a conversation that began about what's wrong in the world, and blossomed into a celebration of everything that's right - namely love.
Offers Jay Sean, "I'm a very positive, optimistic person and thought let me write a song about the idea that if you've got someone special in your life then nothing else really matters how you need to appreciate the little things. The title is a play on the word 'down.' That's why Lil' Wayne says, 'Are you down like the economy.' It's a fun, very easy track something to pump in your car."
Another mid tempo breeze born out of real life is "War." The message? "To battle with anybody, whether it's your girl, family or another country never solved anything," explains Jay Sean.
It is that mix of introspection and keenly crafted Pop/R&B songs that has brought Jay Sean from where he was to where he is.
Born and raised in London, England and of Indian/Punjabi heritage, Jay Sean started rapping at 12 and credits rap with helping him structure, produce and write songs. Inspired by R&B stars Jodeci, Brian McKnight, Joe, and Musiq Soulchild, Jay Sean started singing hooks and then stepped it up.
Amazingly, at the same time he was exploring his artistic side, Jay Sean was at med school; surely a steadier profession than "pop-star." Luckily Jay Sean's parents had his back.
"It wasn't as though they suddenly went 'you sing?' Jay Sean laughs. "They knew there might be a strong possibility I'd do music. They told me, 'The same way you apply yourself to your studies you have to work hard doing music.' That's always stayed with me."
Jay Sean's songs caught the attention of a producer putting together a groundbreaking project fusing traditional Punjabi music and contemporary Pop/R&B. As soon as the single dropped, Jay Sean became the face and voice of a new generation.
"It was so interesting that the kids who love listening to Pop/R&B and traditional Indian music said, 'What the hell is this, it's brand new.'"
Along with galvanizing a heretofore, untapped demographic, Jay Sean caught the ears of the industry, because as he explains, "The English labels knew I had this huge following.
His solo debut ME AGAINST MYSELF dropped in 2004 and exploded on the Internet. Jay Sean toured through Europe, South East Asia, as well as spot dates in the US. He even performed, with Akon, at the Ruler of Dubai's daughter's sweet sixteen. In India, this album outsold Jay-Z, Britney Spears and Madonna.
"I have a heavy fan-base in many countries including India. I'm in a minority culture but in many countries, there's still Indians there and they all knew me," says Jay Sean.
After dealing with creative issues and the desire to change his musical direction to straight-forward Pop/R&B, Jay Sean made the decision in 2008 to go for self.
"I realized I had a global fan base so why not make the music myself?"
Those instincts paid off and then some when MY OWN WAY, his first release on his own label, Jayded Records, out sold and then some Jay Sean's prior effort. The album peaked at #6 on the UK album chart.
All of which brings Jay Sean to ALL OR NOTHING and a future that is just beginning.
Speaking with a refreshing mix of humility and confidence, Jay Sean says, "I've got a different up-bringing and take on a music that you guys make so well and would like to think that I'm a fresh new face and voice. Hopefully American audiences will like it. People always like a change. That's what I have to offer."
See: www.jaysean.com
All Or Nothing
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd do some stupid things and I'd laugh at those too,
And we went together like the summer in June
But who'd have known that it'd rain so soon
Thought I'd be the only one that'd make you smile,
Thought I'd be the only one that'd really know how
But you showed me different and I know better now,
I replay it over and over again
You were my girl, now we 'ain't even friends,
You could've been my all or nothing, all or nothing,
Now to me you're nothing, girl you are nothing, now you're nothing
Put you on a pedestal, girl I held you so high
Was never too good at finding the words to describe,
Just how I felt for you but you know that I tried,
But somehow we went and changed inside
You damn near were my everything you're still on my mind,
But I'd rather be here all alone and I'm doin' just fine
Gotta take it back to the days before we met
And live our lives as strangers again
I replay it over and over again
You were my girl, now we 'ain't even friends,
You could've been my all or nothing, all or nothing,
Now to me you're nothing, girl you are nothing, now you're nothing
I replay it over and over again
You were my girl, now we 'ain't even friends,
You could've been my all or nothing, all or nothing,
Now to me you're nothing, girl you are nothing, now you're nothing
December days, my summer turned to winter
When you went away, I can't help but wonder
Was he worth my pain, you should know better, and I should've too
And I cried, and you cried and we tried to make it work,
Almost died while we tried, is that what our love was worth,
If I could do it again, I would be a better man,
Now I'm living with just memories
I replay it over and over again
You were my girl, now we 'ain't even friends,
You could've been my all or nothing, all or nothing,
Now to me you're nothing, girl you are nothing, now you're nothing
I replay it over and over again
You were my girl, now we 'ain't even friends,
You could've been my all or nothing, all or nothing,
Now to me you're nothing, girl you are nothing, now you're nothing
In Jay Sean's song "All or Nothing," he reflects on a failed relationship that he thought would last forever. He first sings about how he loved everything about his partner, even the silly things she did. They were so in sync that they went together like "summer in June." However, the good times didn't last long, and soon after, it began to rain. This is a metaphor for how their relationship came to an end.
Jay Sean then talks about how he thought he was the only one who could make her smile and truly know her. But she showed him otherwise, and he now wants to get over her. He replays the memories of their time together, finally realizing that they "ain't even friends" anymore. He puts her on a pedestal and realized that she was almost everything to him. He now wishes to go back to the days before they met and start again as strangers. The lyrics show how someone can go from being everything to nothing in a failed relationship and how painful it can be.
Line by Line Meaning
There wasn't anything I didn't love about you,
The singer had genuine affection for their partner, accepting them for who they are, flaws included.
You'd do some stupid things and I'd laugh at those too,
The singer and their partner had a playful relationship where they could joke around with each other.
And we went together like the summer in June
The couple had a great connection – things felt effortless, just like a perfect summer day.
But who'd have known that it'd rain so soon
Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived, and complications arose.
Thought I'd be the only one that'd make you smile,
The singer believed they were the only source of happiness for their partner.
Thought I'd be the only one that'd really know how
The singer felt they had an unmatched understanding of their partner's needs and desires.
But you showed me different and I know better now,
The partner ended up revealing a different side of themselves, prompting the singer to reevaluate their relationship.
I gotta get you out my system somehow
After the breakup, the singer knows they need to move on from their former partner.
Put you on a pedestal, girl I held you so high
The singer put their partner on a pedestal, thinking they were perfect and above everyone else.
Was never too good at finding the words to describe,
The singer struggled with expressing their love for their partner.
Just how I felt for you but you know that I tried,
Despite their struggle, the singer tried their best to express how they felt about their partner.
But somehow we went and changed inside
Both the singer and their partner changed and their relationship was no longer the same.
You damn near were my everything you're still on my mind,
The singer still thinks about their former partner, who was very important to them at one point in time.
But I'd rather be here all alone and I'm doin' just fine
Despite their lingering feelings, the singer is content with being alone and moving on from the relationship.
Gotta take it back to the days before we met
The singer wishes they could go back to a time before they met their former partner and start fresh.
And live our lives as strangers again
The singer wishes they could have a clean slate with their former partner and start again as strangers.
December days, my summer turned to winter
After the breakup, the singer's life felt cold and bleak.
When you went away, I can't help but wonder
The singer is left wondering what could have been and what went wrong.
Was he worth my pain, you should know better, and I should've too
The singer questions whether their former partner's new love interest was worth the pain they caused.
And I cried, and you cried and we tried to make it work,
Both the singer and their partner tried to make things work before ultimately breaking up.
Almost died while we tried, is that what our love was worth,
The singer wonders if their relationship was worth the pain and struggle they went through to keep it alive.
If I could do it again, I would be a better man,
Looking back, the singer knows they could have made better choices and been a better partner.
Now I'm living with just memories
The singer is left with only memories of their former relationship, which they treasure despite the breakup.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeremy Skaller, Robert Larow, Jared Cotter, Jonathan Perkins, Kamaljit Jhooti, ROBERT W LAROW, JAY SEAN, JARED LINCOLN COTTER, KAMALJIT SINGH JHOOTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@berry6568
My 14 year old self singing my heart out 😂😂 good days.
@DasNaily
Your comment made me EXTREMELY NOSTALGIC.
@riyagopaul7671
My everyday song since 2012..
@indiarocks5731
Velli
@ajmedina963
This just made me flashback at least 4 relationships of memories.. none of them lasted .now their nothing.
@Iam_Duar
2023 🔥
@russellsbikehike1090
Nice guitar and drums on this !!! 😁
@deborahmatthews6685
love this song
@user-pu9zv6uh8i
I always loved this song so I'm spreading the word to not put money on the phone it's been hacked
@shizuloveu
very touching song!!! love u jay