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
Eternity
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A love like this (like this)
A love like this (like this)
Yeah
Lately, I've been thinking about
How you changed me
From my days of playing around
That ain't me now
Girl why's this happening
Never looking back again
Baby you don't need to change
Cause you make me wanna give you my last name
And even though we have our highs and lows
Girl if there's one thing I know
I will love you eternally
For eternity
They'll never break us down
I will love you eternally
For eternity
And I'll always be around
And I never thought I'd find a love like this (like this)
Never thought I'd find a love like this
And I'm so glad I got a love like this
Got a love, got a love, got a love.
That's why I love you for you,
You, you, you, you, you, you.
That's why I love you for you,
You, you, you, you, you, you.
They say, that we've been moving too fast
And you say, baby tell me more 'bout your past
That ain't me, (no!) that ain't me now
They be confusing me, i'm a keep it true to you
Baby you don't need to change
Cause you make me wanna give you my last name
And even though we have our highs and lows
There's one thing I know
I will love you eternally
For eternity
They'll never break us down
I will love you eternally
For eternity
And I'll always be around
And I never thought I'd find a love like this (like this)
Never thought I'd find a love like this
And I'm so glad I got a love like this
Got a love, got a love, got a love.
That's why I love you for you,
You, you, you, you, you, you.
That's why I love you for you,
You, you, you, you, you, you.
Said if your with the one you love tonight let me here you say
Oh-ho (oh-ho)
Said if your with the one you love tonight then let me here you say
Oh-ho (oh-ho)
And if you can't be with the one you love,
Then just try and love the one you with
Say oh-ho (oh-ho)
Say yeah (yeah)
I will love you eternally
For eternity
They'll never break us down
I will love you eternally
For eternity
And I'll always be around
And I never thought I'd find a love like this (like this)
Never thought I'd find a love like this
And I'm so glad I got a love like this
Got a love, got a love, got a love.
That's why I love you for you,
You, you, you, you, you, you.
That's why I love you for you,
You, you, you, you, you, you.
The song "Love Like This" talks about a love that the singer never thought he'd find. The first verse begins with the repetition of "a love like this," indicating the rarity of the love that he has found. The lyrics then go on to say that he has been changed by this love and that he is grateful to have found it. The chorus expresses the singer's unwavering commitment to his love, with the repetition of the phrase "I will love you eternally" emphasizing the depth of his devotion. Despite any obstacles, he promises to always be around and continue loving his partner for who they are.
The second verse responds to the doubts and criticisms of others who feel that their relationship is moving too quickly. The singer asserts that he will always be true to his partner and that their love is strong enough to withstand any judgment. The bridge encourages listeners to cherish the one they love, even if they are not with them at that moment.
Overall, "Love Like This" is a song that celebrates finding a love that is rare and transformative, and promises to keep that love alive forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought I'd see a love like this (like this)
I never expected to find a love as great as this
Lately, I've been thinking about
Recently, I have been contemplating
How you changed me
How you have transformed me
From my days of playing around
From my past of being promiscuous
But that ain't me
But that is not who I am anymore
That ain't me now
I am a different person now
Girl why's this happening
Why is this situation taking place?
Never looking back again
I am leaving the past behind and moving forward
Baby you don't need to change
You do not have to change who you are
Cause you make me wanna give you my last name
Because of you, I want to marry you and share my surname with you
And even though we have our highs and lows
Although we experience both good and bad times
Girl if there's one thing I know
One thing I am certain of is
I will love you eternally
I will love you forever
For eternity
For all time
They'll never break us down
No one will ever be able to damage our relationship
And I'll always be around
I will continuously be present
And I never thought I'd find a love like this (like this)
I never believed I would come across love like this
That's why I love you for you,
That is why I love you just the way you are
They say, that we've been moving too fast
Others have expressed that we are progressing too quickly
And you say, baby tell me more 'bout your past
And you have inquired about my history
That ain't me, (no!) that ain't me now
That is not me anymore
They be confusing me, i'm a keep it true to you
They are clouding my judgment, but I will always be honest with you
Said if your with the one you love tonight let me here you say
If you are with the one you love, repeat after me
Oh-ho (oh-ho)
Oh-ho
And if you can't be with the one you love,
And if you are unable to be with the one you love
Then just try and love the one you with
Then simply attempt to love the person you are currently with
Say oh-ho (oh-ho)
Say oh-ho
I will love you eternally
I will love you ceaselessly
Got a love, got a love, got a love.
I am fortunate to have such love in my life
That's why I love you for you,
That is why I love you for who you are
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEREMY SKALLER, ROBERT LAROW, JARED COTTER, KAMALJIT JHOOTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind