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
Down
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even if the sky is falling down? (Down, down)
You oughta know, tonight is the night to let it go
Put on a show, I wanna see how you lose control
So leave it behind 'cause we have a night to get away
So come on and fly with me, as we make our great escape
You won't be lonely, even if the sky is falling down
You'll be my only, no need to worry
Baby are you down, down, down, down, down? (Down, down)
Baby are you down, down, down, down, down? (Down, down)
Even if the sky is falling down?
Just let it be, come on and bring your body next to me
I'll take you away, hey, turn this place into our private getaway
So leave it behind 'cause we have a night to get away
So come on and fly with me, as we make our great escape
(So why don't we run away?)
Baby don't worry, you are my only (ooh)
You won't be lonely, even if the sky is falling down
You'll be my only, no need to worry
Baby are you down down down down down? (Down, down)
Baby are you down down down down down? (Down, down)
Even if the sky is falling down?
Down like she 'posed to be
She gets down low for me
Down like her temperature, 'cause to me she zero degrees
She cold, over freeze
I got that girl from overseas
Now she my Miss America
Now can I be her soldier please?
I'm fighting for this girl
On a battlefield of love
Don't it look like baby cupid sendin' arrows from above
Don't you ever leave the side of me
Indefinitely, not probably
And honestly, I'm down like the economy (yeah)
Baby don't worry, you are my only
You won't be lonely, even if the sky is falling down
You'll be my only, no need to worry
Baby are you down, down, down, down, down? (Down, down)
Baby are you down, down, down, down, down? (Down, down)
Even if the sky is falling down
Ooh, no
And the sky is falling down
The lyrics to Jay Sean's song, "Down," are about love and taking risks. The person singing is asking their partner if they are down, even if the sky is falling down. They want to spend time with their partner and let go of their worries, having fun and enjoying each other's company. The lyrics urge the partner to come closer and get away with the singer, turning their surroundings into a private getaway. The singer promises that their partner won't be lonely, even if the sky is falling down. They express their devotion to their partner and promise to fight for their love. The singer is free-falling in love but doesn't have any fear or worry, even if they are taking a big risk.
The chorus is sung twice, to emphasize the message of the song. The lyrics "are you down" is repeated several times, as the singer wants their partner to agree to take a leap of faith in their relationship. The rap verse in the middle is sung by Lil Wayne, whose lyrics are about how much he loves his partner and will do anything to protect and keep them. He uses creative and clever metaphors to describe his partner's beauty and how much he is willing to fight for their love, likening it to a battlefield of love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Down" are about taking risks for love and enjoying life with the person you love. The song encourages living in the moment and not worrying about the future, as long as you have the person you love by your side.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby are you down, down, down, down down? (Down, down)
Asking if the listener is ready to let go of their worries and be carefree
Even if the sky is falling down? (Down, down)
Reassuring the listener that they will still have someone to rely on even in the worst of times
You oughta know, tonight is the night to let it go
Encouraging the listener to live in the moment and forget about their troubles
Put on a show, I wanna see how you lose control
Challenging the listener to show their true self and have fun
So leave it behind 'cause we have a night to get away
Emphasizing the importance of forgetting about responsibilities and enjoying the present
So come on and fly with me, as we make our great escape
Inviting the listener to join the artist in a carefree adventure
Baby don't worry, you are my only
Declaring the listener's importance and value to the artist
You won't be lonely, even if the sky is falling down
Assuring the listener that they will have someone to rely on in tough times
Just let it be, come on and bring your body next to me
Suggesting physical intimacy to further connect with the listener
I'll take you away, hey, turn this place into our private getaway
Promising to create a private and intimate space with the listener
Down like she 'posed to be
Praising the listener for dancing in a way that is expected or accepted
She gets down low for me
Describing the listener's willingness to physically engage with the artist
Down like her temperature, 'cause to me she zero degrees
Comparing the listener's energy to a low temperature that excites the artist
She cold, over freeze
Emphasizing the listener's cool and attractive nature
I got that girl from overseas
Boasting about the artist's international appeal and attractiveness to people from other countries
Now she my Miss America
Comparing the listener to the ideal American beauty pageant winner and showing adoration
Now can I be her soldier please?
Asking for the opportunity to protect and cherish the listener
I'm fighting for this girl
Asserting the artist's commitment to a serious relationship with the listener
On a battlefield of love
Using a metaphor to describe the fights and struggles that can occur within a relationship
Don't it look like baby cupid sendin' arrows from above
Comparing being in love to being struck by Cupid's arrow
Don't you ever leave the side of me
Asserting the listener's importance and the artist's desire for them to stay together
Indefinitely, not probably
Promising an everlasting relationship, not a temporary one
And honestly, I'm down like the economy (yeah)
Using wordplay to connect the artist's confidence in their feelings to economic terms, showing a firm belief in their commitment to the listener
Ooh, no
Adding a musical refrain to emphasize the earlier line and to provide a sense of finality to the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jay Sean, Dwayne Michael Carter, Jared Cotter, Robert W Larow, Jeremy Skaller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hothands4882
12 years later, if you're watching this you're a legend.
@notgei1730
The Legend yes
@cauafusaro9021
Oh yeah!!👌
@melreimer2949
Hell yes
@limaicri5957
<3
@norindahauliaclara6530
Yes,i am😂
@coolbeans7571
I’m proud of the people in this generation who loved all these songs
@keiraroarty6287
I had nothing else to do but listen to good music back then 😂
@mr.toofamous
I'm younger and so happy to have older brothers and sister to show me these good music
@XoAzora12
@@mr.toofamous same i am glad my cousins used to show me these songs back then im a 03 kid btw wby?