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
Where Do We Go
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been with you for so many years
And we've had our laughs and we've cried some tears
Now something tells me you're not the same
Maybe it's me that's changed
Now I, I don't know what I'm gonna do
When all that I can begin with you
If you're better off that way, that way
Where do we go from here?
My heart, my soul, won't let you go
I don't know
Where do we go from here?
It's never, lady forever
Where do we go?
Tell me yeahhhh
Where do we
Oh whey-ey-ey-ere do we go?
Love
Love is not a fairy tale
But it ain't supposed to be this hard
And now the visions of our love fade away
More everyday-day
And I, I don't know what I'm gonna do
When all that I can begin with you
I'll turn around and walk away
If you're better that way, that way
Where do we go from here?
My heart, my soul, won't let you go
I don't know
Where do we go from here?
It's never, lady forever
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
See girl I need to know
See girl I need to know
See girl I don't know where
Girl I really need
So baby won't you break it down
Said I'm so so tired
See girl I need to know
So baby won't you break it down?
Oh baby won't you tell me?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Jay Sean's song "Where Do We Go" is a song about two people who have been together for a long time, but now something has changed. The singer of the song is wondering where they go from here, as they are uncertain about their future. The lyrics convey a feeling of confusion and uncertainty, as both of them don't know how to proceed or whether they should stay together.
The song begins with the singer reflecting on their past with their partner, and how they have both been through good times and bad. However, something has changed, and they don't feel the same connection they used to have. They are struggling to figure out what to do next, and whether it's better to stay together or go their separate ways.
The chorus of the song is a plea for answers. The singer wants to know where they should go from here, as their heart and soul won't let their partner go, but they are unsure of what the future holds. The singer acknowledges that love isn't supposed to be easy, but it's not supposed to be this hard either. They are hoping for some clarity and guidance about their future together.
Overall, "Where Do We Go" is a beautiful and emotional song that captures the uncertainty and confusion that can come with long-term relationships. It's a heartfelt plea for answers and a search for direction, as two people navigate the complexities of their love for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey girl
Addressing the girl the singer is in a relationship with
I've been with you for so many years
Expressing the amount of time spent together in a relationship
And we've had our laughs and we've cried some tears
Acknowledging the ups and downs of the relationship
Now something tells me you're not the same
Feeling that the girl has changed in the course of the relationship
Maybe it's me that's changed
Wondering whether the change is in the singer himself
Now I, I don't know what I'm gonna do
Confessing uncertainty about what to do next
When all that I can begin with you
Realizing that starting anew with the girl is difficult
I'll turn around and walk away
Willingness to let go if necessary
If you're better off that way, that way
Acceptance of the possibility of the girl being better off without him
Where do we go from here?
Questioning what the future holds for the relationship
My heart, my soul, won't let you go
Holding onto the love that still exists despite uncertainties
I don't know
Admitting being unsure about the future of the relationship
It's never, lady forever
Suggesting that the relationship doesn't last forever
Love is not a fairy tale
Realizing that love is not purely romantic and idyllic
But it ain't supposed to be this hard
Acknowledging the challenges of a relationship
And now the visions of our love fade away
Noticing that the passion and intensity of the relationship has waned
More everyday-day
Expressing the gradual loss of the romance every day
See girl I need to know
Asking the girl to share her thoughts about the relationship
So baby won't you break it down
Urging the girl to communicate and discuss what's on her mind
Said I'm so so tired
Expressing the exhaustion of the uncertainty of the relationship
Where do we go?
Repeating the central question of the song
Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sunethra
He has such an amazing voice...quite popular in the UK, but he needs to be more out there in the America's dang...very talented.
Sidne Jewel
This song needs more recognition, it's so beautiful 😩
KSG🤩
So agree with u bro🤘😎
Sepoima Taotua
so true
Awase Zaman
tweet it!
Jocelyn Dominguez
Sidnee J :'’'"*
Jocelyn Dominguez
Sidnee J
LifeOfGavin
Such a good singer. Wonderful voice
Nyapha Kamba
jay seann is the best 😍😍😍😍😍😍
Jasmine Ekusai
How sad that a lot of people don't even know this song exists :(