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
Intro
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby are you down down down down down
Down....down...
Even if the sky is falling down
Down...down... (oOOooO)
You are a no (no...no...)
Tonight is the night to let it go
Imma gonna see how you lose control, so leave it behind with ----
Have a night of get away
So come on and fly with me, as we make our grand escape (escape...escape...)
So baby dont worry
You are my only
You wont be lonely, even if the sky is falling down
You'll be my only, no need to worry
Baby are you down down down down down
Down... down...
Baby are you down down down down down
Down..down...
Even if the sky is falling down
Just let it be,
Come on and bring your body next to me
Ill take you away (away)
Turn this place into a pub and get away
So leave it behind -----
Have a night of get away (away...away...)
So come on and fly with me, as we make our grand escape
So why dont we run away
Dont worry(worry, you are my only (oooOo)
You wont be lonely (no)
Even if the sky is falling down (falling down)
You'll be my only(ooo), dont need to worry(noo)
Baby are you down down down down down
Down...down..
Baby are you down down down down down
Down...down...
Hmm...you down
Even if the sky is falling down
Lil wayne;
Down like shes 'pose to be
She just got a lofe of me
Down like the temp
Just see me sheesy yo na greesy?
The song "Down" by Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne is an upbeat and catchy tune with lyrics that speak to wanting to escape reality and let loose. The chorus repeats the phrase "Baby, are you down down down down down?" with the added line "Even if the sky is falling down," suggesting a need to forget about the troubles of the world and just have fun. The song encourages the listener to let go, put on a show and lose control. The verse speaks about leaving reality behind, having a night of getting away, and flying away on a grand escape. It reassures the listener to not worry, as they will not be alone, regardless of any challenges that come their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby are you down down down down down
Asking if the person is feeling down and if they are on the same level/ready to connect
Down....down...
Repeating the same line to emphasize the connection
Even if the sky is falling down
Even if everything else around us is chaotic, we will still be connected
Down...down... (oOOooO)
Repeating again with a sound effect for emphasis
You are a no (no...no...)
Nothing else matters, we are fully invested in each other
Tonight is the night to let it go
Encouraging the person to release any inhibitions or worries and be themselves with the singer
Put on a show (show...show...)
Asking the person to perform or be themselves in the singer's presence
Imma gonna see how you lose control, so leave it behind with ----
The singer wants to see how the person acts when they let loose and leave their worries behind
Have a night of get away
The singer wants to escape with the person and have a fun, carefree night
So come on and fly with me, as we make our grand escape (escape...escape...)
Inviting the person to join the singer in a grand adventure and escape from reality
So baby dont worry
Reassuring the person that they don't need to worry about anything while they are together
You are my only
The singer only has eyes for this person and wants to be with them
You wont be lonely, even if the sky is falling down
The person won't be alone because the singer will always be there for them
You'll be my only, no need to worry
Repeating the sentiment that the person is the center of the singer's attention and they don't need to worry about anything else
Just let it be,
Encouraging the person to let go of their worries and enjoy the moment
Come on and bring your body next to me
Inviting the person to physically connect with the singer
Ill take you away (away)
The singer promises to give the person a new experience and take them away from their worries
Turn this place into a pub and get away
Wants to transform the environment into a place where they can relax and have fun
So why dont we run away
Proposing an escape from reality and all its troubles
Hmm...you down
The singer is checking if the person is truly interested and down for the adventure
Lil wayne;
Start of a new section of the song featuring Lil Wayne
Down like shes 'pose to be
Comparing the person to a standard of what he expects from a romantic interest
She just got a lofe of me
The person is fully invested in the singer
Down like the temp
Comparing the person to the weather's temperature, 'down' as in cool or casual
Just see me sheesy yo na greesy?
Lil Wayne playfully asks if the person sees him as cheesy or un-genuine
Contributed by Eli Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
benja303
The world doesn’t know about bangers like this
Afia Ranantat
They don’t deserve to, this is for the OG’s❤
kiid.mystik Official
heard it for the first time today
JAMAL Ibrahim
Now I feel like I understand sean rap style..finally
MostDope Captain
@JAMAL Ibrahimit’s beautiful isn’t it?
MostDope Captain
Whenever I listen to this mixtape i get crazy clear memories of being a youngin in Southern California. Music is a beautiful thing.
OTGeezus YBG
Nah fr this song helped me see through the bs in a crucial part of my life. I really saved my own life to this song. Just coming up with new ways to go about things and a whole lot of perspective change. This song grew me up. Real shit. It’s something bout that melody that sparks my mind to be a successor.
MostDope Captain
I’m so blessed to be able to hear a part of your story. It’s confessions like these that inspire me to spread positivity and the beautiful messages music can carry. I’m happy to hear you’re doing well. Keep it up. Cheers to the future!
Erricka Wesley
This song still such a banger 😭 timeless music came out of the 2010’s man
RichHeem
For the hood this was one of them anthems but for the world its something these dudes still needa listen to more than ever now ! 💯💯💯💯 🐀🙅🏾♂️🥎🤦🏾♂️