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
Close To You
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me cater to you
And all them fantasies going on in your head
Imma do 'em to you
I know what you plan to do girl
You're just like an animal
So just do what's so natural to you
I wanna get close close close close closer to you
Close close closer to you
Close close close close closer to you
Close close closer to you
I wanna get
Closer to
I wanna get
Closer to
Say baby you should drop the act
And maybe we should start again
'Cause girl you know I'm here for that
So are you
And I know I know I know what you plan to do
You're just like an animal
So just do what's so natural to you
Cause you don't know how many times I've been thinking about you
I wanna get close close close close closer to you
Close close closer to you
Close close close close closer to you
Close close closer to you
You got something that I ain't seen before (I wanna get)
That only makes me want you more (closer to)
Let me put it down like I'm supposed to do (I wanna get)
Cause I just wanna get close to you (closer to)
You got something that I ain't seen before (I wanna get)
That only makes me want you more (closer to)
Let me put it down like I'm supposed to do (I wanna get)
Cause I just wanna get close to you (closer to)
I wanna get I wanna get close to you
I wanna get close to you
Close close close close closer to you
Close close closer to you
Close close close close closer to you
Close close closer to you
I wanna get
Closer to
I wanna get
Closer to
I wanna get
Closer to
I wanna get
Closer to
The lyrics to Jay Sean's song Close To You describe a sensual encounter between the singer and his lover. It starts off with a call for the woman to lay her body down on the bed so that he can indulge in her deepest fantasies. The singer acknowledges that she's just like an animal and he wants her to do what comes naturally and effortlessly to her. The repeated refrain of "I wanna get close close close close closer to you" emphasizes the intense desire the singer has towards his lover. He wants to get close to her physically, emotionally and spiritually, to the point where he wants to become one with her.
The second verse further emphasizes the singer's commitment towards his lover. He urges her to drop the act and start again as he's here for her. He reiterates that he knows what she plans to do because she's just like an animal to him. However, in his eyes, that's what makes her alluring and irresistible. The chorus is repeated over and over again, emphasizing the powerful attraction the singer feels towards his lover.
The song showcases the theme of intimacy and the yearning for a physical and emotional connection between two people. The lyrics speak to the primal desires within all beings, regardless of gender and age, capturing the essence of human desire for intimacy and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby girl lay your body down on the bed
As your lover, I want you to feel comfortable and relaxed
Let me cater to you
I want to pamper you and make you feel special
And all them fantasies going on in your head
I want to fulfill all your wildest dreams and desires
Imma do 'em to you
I am ready and willing to bring your fantasies to life
I know what you plan to do girl
I understand your intentions and desires
You're just like an animal
You are driven by instinct, just like any living creature
So just do what's so natural to you
Let go of your inhibitions and act on your primal desires
Cause you don't know how many times I've been thinking about you
I have been consumed by thoughts of you and our physical connection
I wanna get close close close close closer to you
I want to be as intimately close to you as possible
Say baby you should drop the act
I want you to be your true self with me
And maybe we should start again
Let's forget inhibitions and make a fresh start
'Cause girl you know I'm here for that
I am here to provide you with love and affection
You got something that I ain't seen before
You have qualities that set you apart from others
That only makes me want you more
Your unique qualities make me desire you even more
Let me put it down like I'm supposed to do
I will satisfy you the way a lover should
'Cause I just wanna get close to you
I am driven by a strong desire to be close to you
I wanna get close to you
I want to be intimately close to you
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JARED COTTER, ANTHONY HANNIDES, KHAMALJIT JHOOTI, KHALED ROHAIM, JEREMY SKALLER, M. HANNIDES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind