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
Im Gone
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cant even bare to see *you* smile
Nowdays I *can't* look in ur eyes and
Well I can but it takes a while
*Does it show*
Told a lot of white lies to hide it all
*They're beginning* to break me down
*Though* I promise *it's* over now
*I'm* gone I dont blame *you* at all
*Cuz* after all the things that *you* did for me
*Like feeding my* temptation
I'm gone girl *you're* better off alone
I dont want *you* to see
The truth in me
Try my best to keep it all together
*Gonna* take it back to where we were
Never *been too* good at *keeping* secrets
Give *you* reasons but for what *it's* worth let me go
What the hell would make *you* look at me the same *?*
Used to say *we're* unbreakable
But I jus went and changed it all
If I told *you,* could *you* live with that
If I told *you,* could *you* live with that
If I told *you*, I *couldn't* live with that
I 'couldn't* live with that
*No, I'd* rather give *you* no excuses at all
I'm gone I *don't* blame *you* at all
*Cuz* after all of the things *you* did for me
*Like feeding my* temptation
I'm gone
Girl *you're* better off alone
I *don't* want *you* to see
The truth in me
*You* gave everything and honestly
*It's every fault of mine
To beg *you* for forgivness just seems wrong
See leaving *you* is one thing
But you've got to realise
*Some things* are *best* unspoken
So please *don't* ask me why
*I'm* gone I *don't* blame *you* at all
*Cuz* after all ** the things that *you* did for me
*Like feeding my* temptation
*I'm* gone girl *you're* better off alone
I *don't* want *you* to see
The truth in me
*If I told you, could you live with that
If I told you, could you live with that
If I told you, I couldn't live with that
I couldn't live with that
No..
If I told you, could you live with that
If I told you, could you live with that
If I told you, I couldn't live with that
I couldn't live with that
No.. *
The song "I'm Gone" by Jay Sean is a heartbreaking tale of a man who realizes that he needs to leave his significant other. The lyrics express his reluctance to see his partner happy without him and his struggle to maintain eye contact with her. The singer admits to telling white lies to hide his inner turmoil, which is slowly breaking him down. He assures his partner that it is over and he does not blame her for anything. The chorus of the song is the singer telling his partner that he is gone and does not want her to see the truth in him.
The second verse of the song highlights the singer's attempt to keep their relationship intact, but he has failed miserably. He confesses that he is not good at keeping secrets and gives his partner reasons why he has to leave. He also questions if his partner would look at him the same if he told her the truth. The pre-chorus then features the singer questioning if his partner could live with the truth, and he admits that he couldn't live with himself if he stayed.
Line by Line Meaning
I dont wanna have to see you happy
I do not wish to witness your happiness.
I cant even bare to see you smile
I cannot bear to see the sight of your smile.
Nowdays I can't look in ur eyes and
These days, looking into your eyes has become a difficult task for me.
Well I can but it takes a while
I can, but it takes me quite some time to do so.
Does it show
Is it noticeable?
Told a lot of white lies to hide it all
I have spoken untruths to conceal my true feelings.
They're beginning to break me down
These lies are starting to have a negative effect on me.
Though I promise it's over now
However, I assure you that it is all over now.
I'm gone I dont blame you at all
I have left, but I do not hold you responsible in any way.
Cuz after all the things that you did for me
You did many things for me, and I appreciate them.
Like feeding my temptation
You helped me indulge in my desires.
I'm gone girl you're better off alone
It is better for you to be alone now that I have left.
I dont want you to see
I do not wish for you to witness.
The truth in me
The reality of my feelings.
Try my best to keep it all together
I am trying my hardest to maintain my composure.
Gonna take it back to where we were
I will take it back to the past when we were together.
Never been too good at keeping secrets
I am not skilled at keeping secrets hidden.
Give you reasons but for what it's worth let me go
I will provide you with an explanation, although it may not be sufficient to keep me from leaving.
What the hell would make you look at me the same?
What could possibly make you view me in the same way?
Used to say we're unbreakable
We used to believe that nothing could tear us apart.
But I jus went and changed it all
But I simply ruined everything.
If I told you, could you live with that
Do you think you could handle it if I were to tell you?
If I told you, I couldn't live with that
If I confess to you, it would be unbearable for me to concede.
No, I'd rather give you no excuses at all
Instead, I would prefer not to give you any explanations whatsoever.
You gave everything and honestly
You gave me all that you had, and for that, I commend you.
It's every fault of mine
It is entirely my fault.
To beg you for forgivness just seems wrong
Asking you for forgiveness feels inappropriate.
See leaving you is one thing
Departing from you is one thing.
But you've got to realise
However, you must understand.
Some things are best unspoken
Certain things should remain unsaid.
So please don't ask me why
Thus, I ask that you not inquire as to the reasons behind my decision.
If I told you, I couldn't live with that
If I confess to you, it would be unbearable for me to concede.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jay Sean, Paul Meehan, Timothy Daniel Woodcock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind