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
Waiting
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I woulda given you a billion chances
And everything that you'd like
You coulda had my undivided attention
With the keys to my
Crib and to my ride
But you kept me waiting
Don't wanna say goodbye
Oh you mighta got the best of me
I'm still in my clothes
Sitting here by the door
Waiting for you
To show up
But you didn't
So I'm only gonna say it one time
Gonna tell you what I'm
Thinking about waiting
It wasn't cool how you
Left me last night
Tell me how you're gonna
Keep ya boy waiting
I've been waiting so long Waiting
Promised me that you'd come Waiting
Why you do me so wrong
Tell me why you got your boy here
Waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Here for you girl
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Here for you girl
How would you feel if the
Tables were turned
Tell me would you try to forgive me
Or would you let this burn
It's funny how when a guy
Tries to treat u right
You m.I.a like you were last night
You kept me waiting
I don't wanna say goodbye
Baby, I gotta
Ooh you mighta got the best of me
I'm still in my clothes
Sitting here by the door
Waiting for you
To show up
But you didn't
I'm only gonna say it one time
Gonna tell you what I'm
Thinking about waiting
It wasn't cool how you
Left me last night
Tell me how you're gonna
Keep ya boy waiting
I've been waiting so long Waiting
Promised me that you'd come Waiting
Why you do me so wrong
Tell me why you got your boy here
Waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Here for you girl
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Here for you girl
I don't think you realise watcha got
I don't know maybe over
Time you forgot
I was the best thing
That you had going
Don't know why you got me waiting
You can look around the world
But you'd never find
Anybody that would treat you right
You were the best thing
But you left me guessing
Don't know why you got me waiting Oh girl
I'm only gonna say it one time
Gonna tell you what I'm
Thinking about waiting
It wasn't cool how you
Left me last night
Tell me how you're gonna
Keep ya boy waiting
I've been waiting so long Waiting
Promised me that you'd come Waiting
Why you do me so wrong
Tell me why you got your boy here
Waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Here for you girl
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me waiting
Girl you got me
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Here for you girl
The song "Waiting" by Jay Sean talks about waiting for someone who isn't showing up. The first verse is about how the singer is ready to give the person he is waiting for everything he has, but that person kept him waiting, making him feel like he's not worth their time. In the chorus, he repeats that he has been waiting for a long time and asks why they are keeping him waiting.
In the second verse, the singer confronts the person he's been waiting for, telling them they had the best thing with him and how they left him guessing. He also brings up the idea of how the person would feel if the tables were turned and the singer was the one who didn't show up.
Overall, the song represents the feeling of frustration and disappointment that comes with waiting for someone who doesn't value our time or effort. It's an expression of the desire for honesty and the willingness to communicate, which can ultimately fix the disconnect between people.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby baby you're so damn fly
You are really attractive and I like you a lot.
I woulda given you a billion chances
I was willing to forgive you many times.
And everything that you'd like
I would have given you anything you wanted.
You coulda had my undivided attention
I was willing to give you all of my attention.
With the keys to my crib and to my ride
I was willing to give you access to my home and car.
But you kept me waiting
You made me wait for you and that hurt me.
Don't wanna say goodbye
I don't want to end our relationship.
But I gotta
But I have to, because you're not treating me well.
Oh you mighta got the best of me
You may have taken advantage of me.
I'm still in my clothes
I haven't gone to bed yet.
Sitting here by the door
I'm waiting by the door for you to arrive.
Waiting for you
I'm waiting for you to come over.
To show up
To arrive.
But you didn't
But you didn't come over.
So I'm only gonna say it one time
I'm only going to say this once.
Gonna tell you what I'm thinking about waiting
I want to express how I feel about waiting for you.
It wasn't cool how you left me last night
I didn't feel good about the way you treated me last night.
Tell me how you're gonna keep ya boy waiting
Explain to me why you left me waiting for you.
I've been waiting so long Waiting
I have been waiting for a long time.
Promised me that you'd come Waiting
You promised me that you would come over.
Why you do me so wrong
Why are you treating me badly?
Tell me why you got your boy here
Explain to me why you made me wait for you.
Girl you got me waiting
You are making me wait for you.
Here for you girl
I'm here for you, waiting for you to arrive.
I don't think you realise watcha got
I don't think you understand what you have in me.
I don't know maybe over Time you forgot
Maybe over time you have forgotten about how great I am.
I was the best thing
I was the best thing that happened to you.
That you had going
I was the best thing going on in your life.
Don't know why you got me waiting
I don't understand why you made me wait for you.
You can look around the world
You can search the entire world.
But you'd never find
You can't find anyone better than me.
Anybody that would treat you right
No one would treat you better than I did.
But you left me guessing
But you left me uncertain about our relationship.
Oh girl
Oh, girl.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAY SEAN, CLAUDE KELLY, ROBERT W LAROW, JEREMY SKALLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MsBonny91
Gosh this is a classic, I haven't heard this in ages
aj2719
wow... great song... loving it
Joyce de Rooy
He's GREAT! Love this song.
Kim Di Franco
he´s my favourite singer i love all his songs
Ercüment K
feels like time is faster than light ...
miaangel247
the beat is sick, especially at 2:59 - 3:09!!
Tigraylove95
love it<3
Luna Barba
Great song :) great great great voice ^_^
Katelyn Rose
this song is HOOTTTTTT!this effin fella gets me weak when i spend too much time behind his songs..jay's so unique sexy and talented man u go boy!
Ess Pre
What a masterwork