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
Girlfriend
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never knowing where this thing is gonna end
Will it be another kind of love thing
Or shall we stop and say we'll just be friends
Never thought it would end up being like this
Situation is getting too out of control
Now we're faced with an ultimatum like this
Coz I got everything you want girl
You got everything I need
And even though you got a man at home girl
You know your love is meant for me
So baby come on now
And take a little time to think it through
Why would u stay with a man
Who just don't understand
What it takes to be with you
We can't have your boyfriend...hanging around
Coz I can't go on like this...playing around
What's it gonna be
Is it him or me
Coz we can't have your boyfriend...hanging around
How can I turn and walk away now
And regret forever what I left behind
Knowing that deep inside my heart girl
You were made for me though you're not mine
Started off as just a little fun though
We thought that we would never cross the line
But now I'm crazy over you
Coz you can settle for his loving
Or you can start a life with me
And even though I know he saw you first girl
It don't mean a thing to me
I know it ain't easy
And you need a little time to think it through
Why would you stay with a man
Who just don't understand
What it takes to be with you
We can't have your boyfriend...hanging around
Coz I can't go on like this...playing around
What's it gonna be
Is it him or me
Coz we can't have your boyfriend...hanging around
The lyrics of the song Girlfriend by Jay Sean tells the tale of a man who has been involved in a casual relationship with a woman for a while but now wants to take it to the next level. He expresses his confusion about their status, saying that they could either be in a relationship or just remain friends. As the song progresses, however, it becomes clear that the man wants more than just a casual fling. He wants to be the woman's boyfriend and is willing to take her from her current partner. He sings about having everything the woman wants and needs, and how their love is meant to be despite her being with someone else.
The man puts an ultimatum in front of the woman, asking her to choose between him and her current partner. He says he cannot continue playing around like this and wants a clear answer about who she wants to be with. He tells her that he cannot have her boyfriend around if they are going to pursue a relationship, and she needs to think about what she wants. He acknowledges that it is not an easy decision, but if the woman wants to be with him, she needs to leave her current partner as he does not understand what it takes to be with her.
Overall, the song is a plea from a man who wants to be in a proper relationship with a woman he cares about, but she is already taken. He tells her that he is willing to wait for her to make a decision but cannot continue in a casual relationship forever.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I have been chilling for a while now
We have been spending time together for some time now
Never knowing where this thing is gonna end
We are unsure of where our relationship is leading to
Will it be another kind of love thing
We are wondering if our relationship will turn into something else
Or shall we stop and say we'll just be friends
We are considering ending our romantic relationship and just being friends
Never thought it would end up being like this
I did not anticipate our relationship to become so complicated
Situation is getting too out of control
Our relationship is becoming difficult to manage
Now we're faced with an ultimatum like this
We have come to a point where we must make a difficult decision
Should I just stay or roll
I am considering whether to stay in the relationship or leave
Coz I got everything you want girl
I feel that I have all the qualities that you desire
You got everything I need
You possess all the qualities that I am seeking in a partner
And even though you got a man at home girl
Although you are already in a relationship with someone else
You know your love is meant for me
You feel a deeper connection towards me
So baby come on now
I am urging you to make a decision
And take a little time to think it through
I am requesting some time for you to consider your options
Why would u stay with a man
What are the reasons for you to remain in your current relationship
Who just don't understand
Your current partner does not comprehend your needs
What it takes to be with you
What is required to make a relationship with you work
We can't have your boyfriend...hanging around
For us to be together, your current partner cannot be in the picture
Coz I can't go on like this...playing around
I cannot continue to be in an unstable relationship
What's it gonna be
You need to make a decision
Is it him or me
Will you choose your current partner or me
How can I turn and walk away now
It is difficult for me to end things now
And regret forever what I left behind
I will always wonder what could have been
Knowing that deep inside my heart girl
I am aware in my heart that we are meant to be together
You were made for me though you're not mine
You are meant to be with me, even though we are not together currently
Started off as just a little fun though
Our relationship began as something casual
We thought that we would never cross the line
We did not expect our relationship to become more serious
But now I'm crazy over you
I have strong feelings for you
Coz you can settle for his loving
You can be content with your current partner's love
Or you can start a life with me
You have the option of beginning a new life with me
And even though I know he saw you first girl
I am aware that your current partner was with you first
It don't mean a thing to me
That fact does not matter to me
I know it ain't easy
I understand that this is a difficult situation
And you need a little time to think it through
I respect that you require time to make a decision
Contributed by Hudson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@labyrinthashish
this is such an under-rated song.