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
Holding On
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What was going through my mind
Why'd you seem to have it all
Yet you're not mine
Started off as just good friends
Still we always step the line
Coz falling for you was so easy
Ohh..
You're everything I want
You're everything I need
You're everything I want my girl to be
And even though I know
You're in someone else's heart
I can't bare to be apart
See I've fallen for you
And I've gotta let you go
And I know that I have got to
Find a way to get on with my life
I don't wanna let you go (let you go)
But it's killing me inside (inside)
How can I just carry on
I need some piece of mind (need some piece of mind)
How do I just move along (along)
And ignore the love so strong (so strong)
So until I see this through
I'll be holding on to you
To you... baby...
Throughout the years with her I've tried
To find the joy beyond the pain
But when the words and tears subside
Girl it's still the same
And I can't look into her eyes
Without thinking about you
See I've tried but these feelings won't leave me
No....
You're everything I want
You're everything I dream
You're everything I want my girl to be
And even though I know
You're in someone else's arms
I can't bare to be apart
See girl I fell for you
And I don't wanna say goodbye
And I know that I have got to
Find a way to get on with my life
I don't wanna let you go
But it's killing me inside
How can I just carry on (how can I)
I need some piece of mind (piece of mind)
How do I just move along
And ignore the love so strong (so strong)
So until I see this through
I'll be holding on to you
I look away when he holds you
For I'm afraid that I might find
The look in your eyes
That I see when you were mine
So tell me why I've got to be
The one to walk away
And leave you there in someone else's arms
(Won't let you go away
I don't wanna let you go
But it's killing me inside (killing me inside)
How can I just carry on (how can I)
I need some piece of mind
How do I just move along
And ignore the love so strong
So until I see this through (till I...till I)
I'll be holding on to you
The song "Holding On" by Jay Sean is a heart-wrenching ballad about unrequited love. The lyrics convey the singer's confusion about how he let himself fall in love with someone who already belongs to someone else. He reflects on how easy it was to fall for her despite the fact that they were just good friends in the beginning. The singer is torn between his love for her and the need to move on with his life. The chorus repeats the sentiment of him wanting to hold on to her despite the futility of it all.
The second verse reveals that the singer has been trying to find happiness with someone else, but his thoughts keep going back to the one he loves. The lyrics suggest that even though he's been with his current partner for years, nothing seems to bring him the happiness he only previously experienced with the other woman. The last verse is a plea for the other woman not to leave him, that he'll hold on to her as long as he can, and it ends on this desperate note.
Overall, the song is a sad reminder of how complicated love can be, especially when it's not reciprocated. It's a message to those who are holding onto someone out of hope that one day, their love will be returned, emphasizing that it's better to take control of your own life and move on rather than to hold on to empty hopes and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
How'd I let it get this far
I can't believe I let my feelings for you grow so much, knowing that you're with someone else.
What was going through my mind
I don't understand why I fell for you, knowing that I can't have you.
Why'd you seem to have it all / Yet you're not mine
You have everything I am looking for in a girl, but unfortunately, I can't be with you.
Started off as just good friends / Still we always step the line / Coz falling for you was so easy / Ohh..
We started as friends, but our feelings grew stronger, and we couldn't help but start getting involved with each other, even though we knew we shouldn't.
You're everything I want / You're everything I need / You're everything I want my girl to be / And even though I know / You're in someone else's heart / I can't bear to be apart / See I've fallen for you / And I've gotta let you go / And I know that I have got to / Find a way to get on with my life
You are the perfect girl for me, but I can't be with you because you belong to someone else. It's hard for me to move on from my feelings for you, but I know I have to find a way to live without you by my side.
I don't wanna let you go (let you go) / But it's killing me inside (inside) / How can I just carry on / I need some piece of mind (need some piece of mind) / How do I just move along (along) / And ignore the love so strong (so strong) / So until I see this through / I'll be holding on to you
It's difficult for me to let you go because I can't imagine my life without you. I need to figure out how to move on and get some peace of mind, but for now, I am going to hold on to the hope that one day we can be together.
Throughout the years with her I've tried / To find the joy beyond the pain / But when the words and tears subside / Girl it's still the same / And I can't look into her eyes / Without thinking about you / See I've tried but these feelings won't leave me / No....
I've been with this girl for a while now, trying to find happiness with her, but deep down, I know it's not the same as what I feel for you. Even when I am with her, I can't stop thinking about you, and I've tried to let go of my feelings, but they won't go away.
And even though I know / You're in someone else's arms / I can't bare to be apart / See girl I fell for you / And I don't wanna say goodbye / And I know that I have got to / Find a way to get on with my life
Even though you're with someone else, I can't bear the thought of not having you in my life. I don't want to say goodbye, but I know I have to find a way to move on and live my life.
I look away when he holds you / For I'm afraid that I might find / The look in your eyes / That I see when you were mine / So tell me why I've got to be / The one to walk away / And leave you there in someone else's arms / (Won't let you go away
When I see you with him, I try to look away because I don't want to see the love that you once had for me in your eyes. It's hard for me to be the one to leave and let you be with someone else, but I can't let you go away from me entirely.
Contributed by Evan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Queeny308
Ich liebe dieses Lied! Es spiegelt das Leben :o( Es ist so wundervoll für traurige Stunden in denen man sich einfach fallen lassen möchte...
madalin rose
this is the cutest song ever