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
Maybe
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now there goes my phone
And once again
I'm just hoping it's a text from you
It ain't right
Read your messages twice, thrice, four times a night it's true
Everyday I patiently wait
Feeling like a fool but I do anyway
Cause no way I would've waited in pain
[Chorus]
And maybe it's true I'm caught up on you
Maybe there's a chance you're stuck on me too
Maybe I'm wrong it's all in my head
Maybe we're afraid of words we both hadn't said
I'm always connected online
Turn facebook all the time
Hoping you've checked my profile
Just can't help wondering why you play it cool
But sometimes I'm hopelessly falling for you
Every night on the phone and I
In love with you and I know that you like it girl
All joking inside lets see you and I
Come out and say what you're trying to hide
[Chorus]
Like I really want you
I think I need you
Maybe I miss you
I'm thinking of you
Like I really want you
I think I need you
Maybe I miss you
I'm thinking of you
[Chorus]
In Jay Sean's song "Maybe", the lyrics describe the constant inner turmoil that comes with waiting for a text or message from someone you have feelings for. The singer admits to spending hours each night rereading the same messages and social media profiles in hopes of receiving signs that their feelings are returned. Despite feeling like a fool, the singer's hopefulness lingers and they begin to question whether the other person may also be secretly pining for them. However, the fear of rejection keeps both parties from expressing their true feelings, leaving them in a state of limbo.
The song captures the frustration and confusion that can arise from modern dating cultures where messaging and social media communication is often the primary form of interaction. The singer longs for a deeper connection with the person they are interested in, yet is unable to break through the barriers of technology and societal norms to express their true feelings. The chorus echoes this sentiment, acknowledging the possibility of mutual feelings but also the fear that holds them back from taking the next step.
Overall, "Maybe" is a relatable and introspective song that speaks to the universal experience of wanting something more but being held back by fear and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Beep, beep on
The sound of my phone buzzing
Now there goes my phone
My phone just received a notification
And once again
This happens regularly
I'm just hoping it's a text from you
I am waiting for a message from you
It ain't right
I know it's not correct
Read your messages twice, thrice, four times a night it's true
I keep reading your messages many times at night
Everyday I patiently wait
I am waiting patiently every day
Feeling like a fool but I do anyway
Even though I feel silly, I keep waiting
Nothing can feel as sweet and as real
Nothing feels as genuine and lovely
Cause no way I would've waited in pain
I wouldn't have waited so long if it wasn't worth it
[Chorus]
Refrain
And maybe it's true I'm caught up on you
Maybe I am obsessed with you
Maybe there's a chance you're stuck on me too
Perhaps you also have feelings for me
Maybe I'm wrong it's all in my head
Maybe I am just imagining things
Maybe we're afraid of words we both hadn't said
We might be hesitant to express our true feelings to each other
I'm always connected online
I am always using the internet
Turn facebook all the time
I frequently check Facebook
Hoping you've checked my profile
I hope you have looked at my social media profile
Just can't help wondering why you play it cool
I am curious why you act disinterested
But sometimes I'm hopelessly falling for you
Sometimes I fall for you without control
Every night on the phone and I
We talk on the phone every night
In love with you and I know that you like it girl
I am in love with you and I think you know it
All joking inside lets see you and I
Let's stop playing around and face the situation
Come out and say what you're trying to hide
Let's be honest about our feelings
[Chorus]
Refrain
Like I really want you
I want you very much
I think I need you
I believe I need you
Maybe I miss you
Perhaps I miss you
I'm thinking of you
I am constantly thinking about you
Like I really want you
I want you very much
I think I need you
I believe I need you
Maybe I miss you
Perhaps I miss you
I'm thinking of you
I am constantly thinking about you
[Chorus]
Refrain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JEREMY SKALLER, ROBERT LAROW, KAMALIIT JHOOTI, ALAN SAMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind