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
Guns N Roses
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why are those tears falling
Why do I hear 'em calling out my name, out my name
Look I know we both said some things
But we don't mean half of what we say, we say
Throwing these words like hand grenades
You got a way to drive me out my mind
That's when I turn it back at you
Fire away without a clue
Of how much is really hurting you
So baby go ahead and take your aim at me again
'Cause I'm okay with war if love is how it ends
The way that you say sorry and put those lips on me
It ain't gon' be picture perfect, but what it is
Is guns n roses, we're guns n roses
You can throw a bomb my way
For every time I make mistakes
But you know that'd never break what we built
And baby that makeup sex
Makes all of this pain worth it
So I'll fight with you over and over again
So baby go ahead and take your aim at me again
'Cause I'm okay with war if love is how it ends
The way that you say sorry and put those lips on me
It ain't gon' be picture perfect, but what it is
Is guns n roses, we're guns n roses
We've got a bleeding love
You are my deepest cut
And I believe in us
You should know
'Cause every man will have his faults
Like every rose will have its thorns
If it don't hurt then we're not feeling love at all
So baby go ahead and take your aim at me again
'Cause I'm okay with war if love is how it ends
The way that you say sorry and put those lips on me
It ain't gon' be picture perfect, but what it is
Is guns n roses, we're guns n roses
Guns n roses, we're guns n roses
The song "Guns N Roses" by Jay Sean is a ballad about a troubled relationship that is full of arguments and misunderstandings. The lyrics suggest that both parties are hurling insults and hurtful words at each other, but at the same time, they are deeply in love and willing to fight for each other. The line "Throwing these words like hand grenades / Up in the air and watch 'em rain" portrays the intensity of the situation.
The chorus of the song revolves around the metaphor of "Guns N Roses," suggesting that their love is both beautiful and dangerous, like the sharp thorns of a rose. Despite the conflicts, they continue to build their relationship, and even though it's not perfect, it's still worthwhile. The lines "And baby that makeup sex / Makes all of this pain worth it" acknowledge the difficulties in the relationship, but they also suggest that the physical intimacy between them is the ultimate resolution to their problems.
Overall, "Guns N Roses" is a complex exploration of the ups and downs in a relationship. It acknowledges the intensity of emotions that can arise, but ultimately suggests that love is worth fighting for.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, oh baby, oh why? mmm why?
The singer is wondering why their partner is crying and calling out their name.
Why are those tears falling
The singer is questioning the reason behind their partner's tears.
Why do I hear 'em calling out my name, out my name
The singer is wondering why their partner is calling out their name while crying.
Look I know we both said some things
The singer acknowledges that both parties have said hurtful things.
But we don't mean half of what we say, we say
The singer admits that both parties don't actually mean what they say when they are angry.
Throwing these words like hand grenades
The singer compares their words to hand grenades, dangerous and explosive.
Up in the air and watch 'em rain
The singer is picturing their words raining down like bombs.
You got a way to drive me out my mind
The singer confesses that their partner can make them crazy.
That's when I turn it back at you
The singer admits to retaliating when they are hurt or angry.
Fire away without a clue
The singer acknowledges that they may say or do things that hurt their partner, even if unintentional.
Of how much is really hurting you
The singer admits that they may not know the full extent of how their actions or words hurt their partner.
So baby go ahead and take your aim at me again
The singer is willing to face their partner's anger or hurt once again.
'Cause I'm okay with war if love is how it ends
The singer is willing to fight and work through issues as long as it leads to a stronger love between them.
The way that you say sorry and put those lips on me
The singer is appreciative of their partner's apologies and the way their partner shows affection after an argument.
It ain't gon' be picture perfect, but what it is
The singer acknowledges that their relationship might not be perfect, but it's real and worth fighting for.
Is guns n roses, we're guns n roses
The singer compares their relationship to the band Guns N' Roses, with both being explosive and passionate.
You can throw a bomb my way
The singer is telling their partner that they can handle their anger or hurt.
For every time I make mistakes
The singer acknowledges that they are not perfect and make mistakes.
But you know that'd never break what we built
The singer is confident that their relationship can withstand conflicts or disagreements.
And baby that makeup sex
The singer is acknowledging the intimacy that follows after an argument.
Makes all of this pain worth it
The singer believes that the love and passion shared with their partner is worth the struggles and conflicts they may face.
We've got a bleeding love
The singer describes their love as intense and passionate, but also hurtful at times.
You are my deepest cut
The singer admits that their partner can hurt them the most, but also loves them the most.
And I believe in us
The singer has faith in their relationship and their ability to work through conflicts.
You should know
The singer is conveying a message to their partner that they should understand their love and faith in each other.
Every man will have his faults
The singer acknowledges that everyone has flaws, including themselves and their partner.
Like every rose will have its thorns
The singer compares their relationship to a rose, beautiful but with its own set of challenges.
If it don't hurt then we're not feeling love at all
The singer believes that experiencing pain or hurt in a relationship is a necessary part of love, and it shows that they truly care for each other.
Guns n roses, we're guns n roses
The singer reiterates the comparison between their relationship and the band Guns N' Roses, with both being full of passion and intensity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: BRIAN KENNEDY SEALS, DWAYNE WHITMORE, KAMALJIT SINGH JHOOTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind