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
M.U.R.D.E.R
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(chorus)
M-U-R-DER
you are.
Girl you're murder
Boy you're murder
(repeat)
That girl is murder
she's a one day in seven
her looks are her weapon
ay o ay o ayyyy o
That boy is murder
he's a one eighty seven
no other man can step to him
ay o ay o ayyy oo
(Jay Sean)
yo, oh theres this girl i know
shes so incredible
talkin bout how to make a man play his song
treat her just like a queen
make you give up everything
this girl is better in me
step one
- Erase all the girls from my phone
Two
- Give up everything that i own
Three
- Dont even see my boys no more
no no no no nooooooo
Four
- leme do ?
Five
- Selling mixtapes with my favourite songs
Six
- Somebody tell me whats going on, mann i dont know
(chorus)
That girl is murderrr
she's a one day in seven
her looks are her weaponn
ay o ay o ayyyy o
That boy is muder
he's a one eighty seven
no other man can step to him
ay o ay o ayyy oo
M-U-R-DER
you are.
Girl you're murder
Boy you're murder
No no noooooooo
(Thara)
He's the reason that i'm in this place
that i swore i'd never be
and the way that im actin round ma girls hittin on me.
n i don't care wat my daddy says and thats whats really me.
even though their just tryna save me
but i dont need it
(chorus)
That girl is murderrr
she's a one day in seven
her looks are her weaponn
ay o ay o ayyyy o
That boy is muder
he's a one eighty seven
no other man can step to him
ay o ay o ayyy oo
(Thara)
Boy i dont know, this is unusual
how u got me chasing u
not even my average but the chemistrys auto-matic.
slowly im losing myself but i dont wonder how
but were meant to be with murderes
errs errs errs..
(chorus)
That girl is murderrr
she's a one day in seven
her looks are her weaponn
ay o ay o ayyyy o
That boy is muder
he's a one eighty seven
no other man can step to him
ay o ay o ayyy oo
M-U-R-DER
you are.
Girl you murder
Boy you murder
Baby don't u know that ur
M-U-R-DER
u r
Girl you murder
Boy you murder
but i don't know why i put up with u
cause ur murder baby
ur murder baby
ur murder lady
ur murder boy
The song "Murder" by Jay Sean featuring Thara is a rhythmic track about falling for someone so hard that it feels like they're killing you. The lyrics convey this message through the use of the word "murder" as a metaphor for the irresistible attraction that the guy and the girl in the song feel for each other. The song has a catchy, upbeat tune that's perfect for dancing or just enjoying a night out.
The song opens with the lines "New York to London, We're international baby" which emphasize on the idea that love knows no boundaries. It's followed by the refrain of "Hey ho" repeated four times, which acts as an energetic preface to the catchy chorus "M-u-r-d-e-r, you are, girl you're murder, boy you're murder". The subsequent verses imply that the attraction between the two people is so strong that it's killing them, but they just can't resist it. The chorus repeats twice throughout with a bridge that serves as a prelude to the final run.
The song's underlying theme is love being fatal, but the beat is lighthearted and fun, which provides an upbeat twist on the idea of attraction being so strong that it's deadly. Overall, the song's lyrics, arrangement, and style come together to create a catchy and irresistible track about the overpowering nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
New york to London, We're international baby
Jay Sean and Thara are a globally known couple
M-u-r-d-e-r, you are, Girl you're murder Boy you're murder
The person being referred to is dangerous and deadly attractive, whether male or female
That girl is murder, shes a 187 Her looks are her weapon Eh oh, eh oh, eh oh
The female being referenced is so stunning, her appearance itself is deadly
That boy is murder, he's a 187 No other man can step to him Eh oh, eh oh, eh oh
The male being referenced is so dangerous and attractive, other men pale in comparison
Yo, oh there's this girl I know, shes so incredible Talking that type that make a man wanna sell his soul Treat her just like a queen, make you give up everything This girl is murdering me.
The female in question is so phenomenal that it's worth it to Jay Sean to give up everything, even his soul
Step one, erase all the girls on my phone Two, give up everything that I own Three, don't even see my boys no more No, no, no, no, no
Jay Sean is willing to do anything for this person, even at the cost of his friendships and possessions
He's the reason that I'm in this place that I swore id never be And the way that I'm acting round my girls, hittin' on me Now I don't care what my daddy said and that's whats killing me Even though, there just tryna save me, but I don't need that anymore
Jay Sean has fallen so deeply under this person's spell that he's doing things he swore he never would do, even though he knows it's wrong
Boy I don't know, this is unusual How you got me chasing you, Like you did my average but the chemistry's automatic Slow-ly I'm losing myself but I don't want no help We're meant to be with murderers ers ers ers
Jay Sean admits that this situation is unhealthy, but he can't help himself because of their intense chemistry, and he even feels like they're meant to be because of their toxic qualities
M-u-r-d-e-r, you are, Girl you're murder (murder) Boy you're murder Baby don't you know you're, M-u-r-d-e-r, you are (yes you are) Girl you're murder (murder) Boy you're murder You should really know you're Murder, murder
The repetition of the word murder emphasizes how dangerous and attractive the person in question is
And I don't know why I put up with you Cause you're murder baby You're murder baby Cause you're murder lady Oh, you're murder boy, yeah Murder, murder, that's what you are
Jay Sean is aware of the toxicity of the situation, but he can't resist this person because of their dangerous and deadly allure
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joel San.
old but gold ♥
Yoda123
8 years later, this comment makes this even older lol
Sydney's Lost Tapes
@Yoda123 dam man we are old :(
M Begum
Love this song soooooo much ❤️
Ava chowdhury
His voice is magical
asdfg qwerty
Ava chowdhury ..i agree.. i still listen to Jay Sean. I support his new music 😘
Thaeme Miguel
continua um hit (2021)
Mariya Khan
OH MY DAYS! aint heard this in time lol, used to love it :] jay sean.
Raania Tahseen
Love both Thara and Jay's parts
Nadeem Nasir
lovely,rockin,cool,sweet,cute,fun song......JAY SEAN ur a M-U-R-D-E-R...love u!