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
On and On
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nowadays it seems I'm watching life just pass me by
The world is spinning beneath my feet at an unforgiving pace
And I, I just find myself falling victim to the chase
If only I could take it back, to the days when I was younger
Then maybe I would cherish that moment I grew older
Finally I understand that time won't wait for no one (no no no)
On N on, on N on, it don't look back (people move)
On N on, on N on, they won't look back (and thought I've moved)
On N on, on N on, I won't forget
What it took to get me here,
How much I sacrificed
Maybe I allowed myself to be consumed
Turned my back on what once the only life I knew
Too busy loving me to notice everything had changed
And I've come to terms that nothing ever stays the same
If only I could take it back, to the days when I was younger
Then maybe I would cherish that moment I grew older
Finally I understand that time won't wait for no one (no no no)
I can't live in the past
On N on, on N on, it don't look back (people move)
On N on, on N on, they won't look back (and thought I've moved)
On N on, on N on, I won't forget
What it took to get me here,
How much I sacrificed
Now I see, that on the road that I chose
I can't leave, when the weakness begins to show
Finally, I just gotta let it go
On N on, on N on, it don't look back (people move)
On N on, on N on, they won't look back (and thought I've moved)
On N on, on N on, I won't forget
What it took to get me here,
How much I sacrificed [x3]
The song On and On by Jay Sean is a contemplative look at the passage of time, the realization of the fleeting nature of life, and the acceptance that one cannot cling to the past. The first verse speaks to the reflective mood of the song, with the singer lamenting the loss of days gone by and feeling like life is rushing past him. The second verse explores the idea of being too focused on oneself to notice the changes happening around, resulting in a failure to appreciate what one has until it's gone. The chorus of the song, "On N On," emphasizes the message that life moves forward, people and circumstances change, and one must keep moving ahead.
The lyrics of the song are touching and compelling, as they not only speak to the universal feeling of nostalgia but also reinforce the message of moving on and embracing the present. The tone of the song is melancholic, but it is not without hope, as the singer comes to terms with the inevitable passage of time and the need to let go of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinking bout all of those days I left behind
Reflecting on the past and the memories that were left behind
Nowadays it seems I'm watching life just pass me by
Feeling like life is moving fast and time is slipping away
The world is spinning beneath my feet at an unforgiving pace
Feeling overwhelmed with the chaos of the world and how fast everything is moving
And I, I just find myself falling victim to the chase
Feeling like he is being consumed by the fast-paced nature of life
If only I could take it back, to the days when I was younger
Wishing to go back to a time before life became so complex
Then maybe I would cherish that moment I grew older
Realizing that growing older is a privilege and should be valued
Finally I understand that time won't wait for no one (no no no)
Coming to terms with the fact that time passes quickly and waits for no one
I can't live in the past
Recognizing that dwelling on the past is not productive
On N on, on N on, it don't look back (people move)
Life moves on and people continue to progress without looking back
On N on, on N on, they won't look back (and thought I've moved)
Others will continue to move forward without reflecting on their past
On N on, on N on, I won't forget
Not forgetting the sacrifices made to get to this point in life
What it took to get me here,
How much I sacrificed
Reflecting on the hard work and dedication it took to achieve success
Maybe I allowed myself to be consumed
Acknowledging that personal desires and priorities can push aside other important things in life
Turned my back on what once the only life I knew
Neglecting the importance of things that were once a big part of life
Too busy loving me to notice everything had changed
Being self-centered and not noticing that life has changed around him
And I've come to terms that nothing ever stays the same
Accepting that change is a constant part of life
Now I see, that on the road that I chose
Realizing that life choices have consequences
I can't leave, when the weakness begins to show
Feeling the responsibility to continue even when things get tough
Finally, I just gotta let it go
Accepting that sometimes the best thing to do is to move on
On N on, on N on, I won't forget
What it took to get me here,
How much I sacrificed [x3]
A repetition of the earlier sentiment about remembering the sacrifices made to reach this point in life
Contributed by Hunter H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Y3
Almost 2 decades and this song still feels so fresh .. Jay Sean is a legend and will always be a legend changed the game forever .. 🔥🔥
MyNameIsNotSparky
Jay Sean is a sexy, talented artist. I love the verses to his songs. I can connect to different experiences in my life. Jay Sean Chicago loves you!!!
Sahil Khiwani
U rock buddy .. ur voice made me fallen in love with ur songs.. proud to be a punjabi..
foxy654
I love this song!! It makes me sad, because I remember playing this song before going to university and seeing all my friends go there separate ways! I miss my friends & family so much ! Never take anything for granted & anyways remember where you came from!! <3
Mohammad Shabih
I love This Song! Jay Sean YOU ARE THE BEST!
freshlypicked
I love Jay Sean and his music!
allstardesiraja
Jay Sean you're just awesome! Love and admiration for u!
Elena Popazie
this is one of my favorite songs ! i love it !
Katelyn Rose
damn this guy's voice puts me in a daze he surely gets a hold on your mind when u listen!
Stefan Weber
His voice. Awesome