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
Just a Friend
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Both our bodies close together
Teasin' me
Let me get to know you better
Plaince me
This chemistry between us, can't you see
But I guess you're not there for me
Baby close the door
There's somethin' you should know
What's been goin' on
It's messin' with my heart
I can't even start
To describe what I've been holdin' inside
[Chorus:]
Cause she's just a friend
Yes, you'll never know
It's makin' it harder for me to let go
Cause she's just a friend
Yes, you'll never know
Sometimes I wish I never matter at all
(really!)
Tell me
I gotta be tryna' make this thing alright
Can't be
If they're makin' mistakes on all day, all night
Tellin' me
Cause I want you girl, hurts the most
That you're just too blind to see, Baby
I can't take this no more
Baby close the door
There's somethin' you should know
What's been goin' on
It's messin' with my heart
I can't even start
To describe what I've been holdin' inside
[Chorus:]
Cause she's just a friend
Yes, you'll never know
It's makin' it harder for me to let go
Cause she's just a friend
You'll never know
Sometimes I wish I never matter at all
(really!)
Still I haven't felt a way to show my feelings for you
There were so pretty times that I thought you knew
Like a fool I've waitin' every time you take me back
And I feel the same way too
[Chorus:]
Cause she's just a friend
You'll never know
It's makin' it harder for me to let go
Cause she's just a friend
You'll never know
Sometimes I wish I never matter at all
(really!)
Baby, don't you know
Don't you know what I've been tryin' to tell you
[Chorus:]
Cause she's just a friend
You'll never know
It's makin' it harder for me to let go
Cause she's just a friend
You'll never know
Sometimes I wish I never matter at all (really!)
In Jay Sean’s song Just a Friend, the lyrics describe a situation where the singer is clearly in love with someone but finds out that the person they are in love with only sees them as a friend. The first verse describes the physical and emotional attraction the singer has towards the person they love, whose affection is not returned. The second verse focused on his confession to the person, but it does not seem to be very effective. The chorus repeats the frustration that the person he is in love with does not see him in the same way he does. The third verse expresses regret about wasting so much time on a relationship that can never go anywhere. The song ends with the singer lamenting the fact that he has fallen in love with someone who does not return his feelings, wishing he had never met this person.
Overall, the song is about unrequited love, regret, and the pain of rejection. It is a relatable experience that many people have been through, which is why the song continues to be popular.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold me
Embrace me tight
Both our bodies close together
Let's be physically intimate
Teasin' me
Flirting with me
Let me get to know you better
Let me develop a deeper connection with you
Plaince me
Acknowledge the chemistry between us
This chemistry between us, can't you see
We have undeniable chemistry
But I guess you're not there for me
But unfortunately, you do not reciprocate my feelings
I can't take this no more
I cannot handle this situation anymore
Baby close the door
Please close the door for privacy
There's somethin' you should know
I need to tell you something important
What's been goin' on
What has been happening lately
It's messin' with my heart
It is affecting my emotions
I can't even start
I cannot even begin
To describe what I've been holdin' inside
To express what I have been bottling up
Cause she's just a friend
She is only my friend
Yes, you'll never know
You do not realize the extent of my feelings
It's makin' it harder for me to let go
It is preventing me from moving on
Sometimes I wish I never matter at all (really!)
At times, I regret even having feelings for you
Tell me
Inform me
I gotta be tryna' make this thing alright
I am attempting to fix this problem
Can't be
Cannot continue being in this situation
If they're makin' mistakes on all day, all night
If I am unable to focus on anything due to these feelings
Cause I want you girl, hurts the most
Because I have feelings for you, it is extremely painful
That you're just too blind to see, Baby
You are unaware of what is really going on
Still I haven't felt a way to show my feelings for you
I have not found a way to express my emotions to you
There were so pretty times that I thought you knew
There were instances where I believed you were aware of my feelings
Like a fool I've waitin' every time you take me back
I foolishly wait each time you return to me
And I feel the same way too
I reciprocate the same feelings you have for me
Baby, don't you know
Do you not realize
Don't you know what I've been tryin' to tell you
Don't you know what I have been attempting to express to you?
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALAN MARK SAMPSON, JAY SEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bharat
Hmm, this song describes how I feel about a girl I've asked out. I hope she knows I actually want to be together with her.
hippopcrazy
over the last week I been listening to this song more..its growing on me, its now one of my favorites from jay
BroadwayAriel
It is a very good song! Alot of emotion in it!
Roro Patel
i like this song. it's really good. i never heard it. the beat is sick and the lyrics rock. reallly good. nice job jay.
El Flaco
omg this is my song. Its like they took a part of my life and just put it in that song. I was going through that same thing and it was really hard for me but now im getting over it little by little.
Gerry V.
such a beautiful song... I really love it!
F
this song is a hit!
Kyra Schroeder
There's somethin' you should know What's been goin' on It's messin' with my heart I can't even start To describe what I've been holdin' inside
bit4life95
this song is mad good. its the same way i feel about a guy.i wish i never met him at all
Roses4Faeries
his beats are awasome;....i love all his songs