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
Don't Rush
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why is it that you just run away
What is it that you don't wanna say
See girl I know your type
Never can seem to just settle down
Coz you're in search of those butterflies
Isn't that why you keep walking in and out of my life
Go ahead and play those games
Coz I know that in time no doubt
You'll come around
But just for now
[Chorus:]
Baby don't you rush
Girl we got the whole night
Touch caress and make love all night
Take it take it from me
Wake me before you leave [x2]
I don't know, is it me? Am I imagining?
Tell me girl, don't you feel anything?
When you're here lying beside of me
And now you're telling me
That it's late and you just gotta go
Why is it that you only wanna leave
At the point that you think that you might be falling in love
I won't complain
If you won't stay
Go ahead and play those games
[Chorus (x2)]
Something in the way you walk
When you go and turn your back on me
Tell me what you're trying to prove
When you get your things and leave
You can try to hide the truth
I don't buy the things you say
I know you'll be back again
That's why I'm never standing in your way
[Chorus (x6)]
The song "Don't Rush" by Jay Sean is an emotional plea from the singer to his love interest who has been coming in and out of his life. Jay Sean starts the first verse by addressing the girl whom he has not seen in a while, wondering why she always runs away and is hesitant to express her feelings. This leads him to conclude that the girl's anxiety to settle down and take risks with her emotions has kept her from staying grounded in any relationship. He acknowledges her flighty nature and accepts that he can't change her behavior, but he also hints that she will come back to him eventually.
In the chorus, the singer urges the girl to take her time and not rush into anything. He assures her that they have the whole night to be together and indulge in each other's affections. The tone of the song changes towards the end of the second verse when Jay Sean's frustration is palpable as he questions the girl's intentions, and why she only wants to leave when she thinks that she is in love.
The bridge of the song is a powerful statement on the singer's perception of the girl's true emotions. He talks about how she walks away so confidently, but he knows that she is trying to hide the truth. Although he doesn't believe what she says, he is convinced that she will come back to him, and he won't stand in her way.
Overall, "Don't Rush" is a song that speaks to anyone who has had a difficult relationship with someone who is emotionally unavailable or indecisive. It's a heartfelt plea to be patient with your loved one, and also a realization that sometimes love isn't enough to make a relationship work.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a while since the last time that I saw you girl
It's been so long since we last saw each other.
Why is it that you just run away
Why do you always run away from me?
What is it that you don't wanna say
What is the thing that you don't want to tell me?
See girl I know your type
I understand the kind of person you are.
Never can seem to just settle down
You never seem to be able to stick in one place.
Coz you're in search of those butterflies
Because you are in search of a new feeling.
Isn't that why you keep walking in and out of my life
That's why you keep coming and going from my life, right?
I won't complain, if you won't stay
I won't object if you don't stay with me.
Go ahead and play those games
You can go ahead and play games if you want.
Coz I know that in time no doubt
Because I know that you will eventually come back.
You'll come around
You'll definitely come back.
But just for now
But for the meantime, only for now.
Baby don't you rush
Don't hurry, my dear.
Girl we got the whole night
We have the whole night.
Touch caress and make love all night
We can touch each other, caress and make love all night.
Take it take it from me
Listen, trust me on this one.
Wake me before you leave [x2]
Wake me up before you go.
I don't know, is it me? Am I imagining?
I'm unsure. Is it just me or am I imagining things?
Tell me girl, don't you feel anything?
Tell me, don't you feel anything at all?
When you're here lying beside of me
When you're lying next to me right now.
And now you're telling me
And now you're saying that it's time to go.
That it's late and you just gotta go
It's already late and you have to go.
Why is it that you only wanna leave
Why is it that you always choose to leave?
At the point that you think that you might be falling in love
Just when you think that you might be falling in love.
Something in the way you walk
There's something in your walk.
When you go and turn your back on me
Whenever you turn your back on me.
Tell me what you're trying to prove
Tell me what you're trying to achieve.
When you get your things and leave
Whenever you grab your things and walk away.
You can try to hide the truth
You can try to conceal what's really happening.
I don't buy the things you say
I don't believe what you say.
I know you'll be back again
I'm aware that you'll come back.
That's why I'm never standing in your way
That's why I'm not trying to stop you.
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dewan Rahman
Jay sean is so underrated
Me You & Blue
I found my Me Against Myself CD and don’t have a damn CD player at home 🙄 this brings back memories of middle/high school
Mansurian
True
Anandh Booshanam
Yeah . mixed emotions😊😢
Gunjeet Singh
so underrated song....!
r3dharl0w
Too good <3 !!
Pratyush Panda
One of my all tyime favourite songs!
mila lynda
Me tooooo
FionaakaTammi
I love the song <3
Badhon Ebrahim
i die, everytime i listen to this.