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
Easy As 123
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ohhh
Can I talk to you
Can I talk to you for a minute
Hold on
Ooohhh yea
Hey girl now that I got you here with me, alone
I have been thinking about us N while we got going on
And I know this thing is far too long
But still should have let you know the deal
Let me tell you how I feel
I'll let you know
The feeling is mutual
I make you feel
There ain't nothing I won't try
Don't be afraid
Get a little physical
Even though I'm out of taking some time
I really wanna made it be right
It's easy as 123
Abc
You and me
You know it
It's easy as 123
Abc
You and me
It doesn't take a genius to know
Loves me babyy
I know when you know the world knows that your are fine
So later
I ain't gonna feed your ego on the time
Because you are so much more than looks and priety smile and girl that's just my style
I know it's been a hile
But I'll let you know
Baby girl the feeling is mutual
I make you feel
There ain't nothing I won't try
Don't be afraid
It's so much more than physical
Guess I'm only making up for the last time
But I really want it just to be right
It's easy as 123
Abc
Babygirl
You and me
Can't you see
It's easy as 123
Abc
You and me
Oohhh
Who can know it's been years
Since we broken own way
Baby girl I really can't compete with you
And I really hope you don't take this personal
And I know that when you are with me
You think of me too
It's easy as 123
Abc
Baby you should know
You and me
It's easy as 123
Abc
You and me
Baby we should be together
123 abc
You and me
It's easy as 123
Abc
You and me
In the song "Easy As 123," Jay Sean is introducing the idea of an intimate relationship to a girl that he has been thinking about. He starts by acknowledging that they are alone and that he has been thinking about their situation. Despite the fact that the relationship has been going on for a while, he confesses that he has not let her know how he feels about her. He wants her to understand that his feelings towards her are mutual and that he will do anything to keep their relationship going.
Jay tries to build the girl's confidence by assuring her that he does not love her only because of her physical appearance, but also because of her inner and intellectual allure. He emphasises that they have been apart for a while, but he is willing to do everything possible to reignite their love. He professes his love to her by explaining that their love is as easy as 123 and ABC, and he continuously reassures her of the ease of their love as he tries to convince her to be with him.
Overall, the song is about a man trying to convince the girl he loves that he wants a lasting relationship and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey girl now that I got you here with me, alone
I've been wanting to talk to you for some time now and I'm glad to finally get the chance to have a conversation with you in private.
And I know this thing is far too long
I understand that we've been together for a while, but there are a few things I need to say.
Let me tell you how I feel
I want to express my emotions to you and explain how much you mean to me.
The feeling is mutual
I have strong feelings for you and I believe you feel the same way about me.
I make you feel
I want to make you feel good emotionally, physically, and in every possible way.
There ain't nothing I won't try
I am willing to experiment and try new things with you to make our relationship better.
Don't be afraid
Don't feel scared to express your emotions and let me know how you feel.
Get a little physical
I want to become intimate with you and share physical touch with you.
Even though I'm out of taking some time
I've been away for a while or busy, but now that I'm here, I want to make things right.
I really wanna made it be right
I want to ensure our relationship is solid and happy, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it right.
It's easy as 123
Our relationship is straightforward, and we can make it work simply by loving and caring for each other.
Abc
Our bond is easy and intuitive, like the basic ABCs of the alphabet.
You and me
Our relationship is all about you and me, and we should work together to make it grow stronger.
It doesn't take a genius to know
Anyone can see that we're meant to be together and that our love is real.
Loves me babyy
I love you more than anything in the world, and I hope you feel the same way about me.
So later
I don't want to flatter you or make you feel overly important because your true value goes beyond your looks and appearance.
Guess I'm only making up for the last time
I want to compensate for the time we've been apart and show you how much I care about you.
Can't you see
I hope you also see that our relationship is wonderful and should continue to grow stronger.
Baby we should be together
We make such a great couple, and I hope we can stay together and continue to strengthen our love.
Contributed by Addison V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Some Plonker
The beat is niiiice
SK
So Many Memories attached to this song. xoxo miss you
Omarr Koroma
A Genius knew!
Rushalee Gupta
Cool video
Omarr Koroma
Are you alone now?
Omarr Koroma
Super ghetto!