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
Take That Off
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see that you took your time to please me
Don't get me wrong, I'm loving it all
Look at those heels
Loving your dress
Rocking that Chanel
Girl that's straight sex, I
Everything is right then, there's one other thing I'd like
I don't wanna see those clothes on
They look better on the floor, yeah
Girl, you know it ain't no secret
You look so much better, girl
When you're wearing nothing, nothing, nothing at all
When you're wearing nothing, nothing, nothing at all
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
That's what I'm talking about
You know what it is
Come and put that body on me
It's so good
You can take my clothes off too
I'm loving your breath
Up on my neck
Let me put my lips girl all over your chest then
Tasting your skin, it's driving me wild
I can't get enough of you
I don't wanna see those clothes on
They look better on the floor, yeah
Girl, you know it ain't no secret
You look so much better, girl
When you're wearing nothing, nothing, nothing at all
When you're wearing nothing, nothing, nothing at all
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
So take it up
Higher girl
You set me on
Fire girl
Don't need nothing girl
'Cause you alone
Know exactly how to turn me on
To turn me on
To turn me on
There's one other thing I'd like
I don't wanna see those clothes on
They look better on the floor, yeah
Girl, you know it ain't no secret
You look so much better, girl
When you're wearing nothing, nothing, nothing at all
When you're wearing nothing, nothing, nothing at all
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
Baby take that off, off, off
The lyrics to Jay Sean's "Take That Off" can be interpreted as a sensual song about a man admiring a woman's beauty, particularly her dress and shoes. He expresses his pleasure and infatuation with her, but ultimately reveals that he wants her to take off her clothes. The chorus repeats the phrase "Baby take that off" as the man becomes more and more enamored by the woman's physical appearance, and is desirous of seeing her naked. He also mentions kissing and tasting her skin, which further suggests his excitement and sexual attraction towards her. It is possible to interpret this song as objectifying towards women, as it reduces them to their physical appearance and implies that they are most desirable when they are naked. However, it can also be seen as a consensual and mutually enjoyable interaction between adults.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey girl, how could you don't own it
I can't believe you don't realize how stunning you are
I see that you took your time to please me
I appreciate you putting effort into looking good for me
Don't get me wrong, I'm loving it all
I want you to know that I appreciate everything about you
Look at those heels
I am admiring your high heels
Loving your dress
I think your dress is beautiful
Rocking that Chanel
You look amazing in your Chanel clothing
Girl that's straight sex, I
You are incredibly attractive
I just can't lie, all of that's nice
I am not exaggerating when I say you look great
Everything is right then, there's one other thing I'd like
You are perfect, but there's one thing I desire
I don't wanna see those clothes on
I would prefer if you took your clothes off
They look better on the floor, yeah
You would look better without clothes than with clothes
Girl, you know it ain't no secret
I am hoping you also feel the same way I do
You look so much better, girl
You are incredibly attractive without clothes
When you're wearing nothing, nothing, nothing at all
I find you attractive when you are naked
Baby take that off, off, off
Please take your clothes off
That's what I'm talking about
That's exactly what I want from you
You know what it is
You understand what I want from you
Come and put that body on me
I want you to be physically close to me
It's so good
I am enjoying this moment with you
You can take my clothes off too
I am okay with being naked with you as well
I'm loving your breath
I am enjoying your close proximity to me
Up on my neck
You are kissing or breathing on my neck
Let me put my lips girl all over your chest then
I want to show you physical affection by kissing your chest
Tasting your skin, it's driving me wild
I am aroused by your physical touch and scent
I can't get enough of you
I want more physical affection from you
So take it up
I want to escalate things physically
Higher girl
I am encouraging you to get more physically intimate with me
You set me on
You are turning me on physically
Fire girl
I am incredibly attracted to you
Don't need nothing girl
I don't require anything else besides being physically intimate with you
'Cause you alone
You are enough for me
Know exactly how to turn me on
You understand how to physically excite me
To turn me on
To physically excite me
Contributed by John Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
PromotingTheBeat
It really says a lot when Jay's "Mixtape" albums have better songs than the "Label" release albums.
Keep up the great work Jay. A fan since your UK releases : )
Sandra k,
I agreed the mixtapes even better than Labels.ย
Anjani Bhardwaj
The most underrated artist in the music industry.
J. Singh
Can't wait for the mixtape!
princessXdam
I'm beyond super excited to hear this mixtape!!! Only 10 seconds into this and it gives the vibe from Part 1 and I Loved the whole Mistress Album...Also Congrats to Jay and the always beautiful Thara for finally bringing baby Ayva into the world on 12.13.2013, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!! Blessings ๐๐
MADMEN Sinclair
AMAZING SOONG why doesn't his record label make him release this type of music
princessXdam
You know it ain't no secret "you look so much better when you're wearing nothing"...hmmm....so I've heard? In love with this ๐๐๐๏ปฟ
Madhu Ray
Love this song!! Beautiful!!
LucaDayzTV
Jay once again a sickaaaass RnB joint!! this is ur thing homie u shud do more of these!!!
Dina wiliam
LucaDayzTV when you wearing nothing at all๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐