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
Words
Jay Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can run out we can fly
We get caught in traffic yeah
We can sink or we can swim all just look like passing...
We can survive or let it die, it's only one way this can go
Do we know exactly what we saying
I never thought I'll end here like this with you
And our future now depends on the words we use
This ain't how I picture it out
But bay here we are standing face to face in a moment things could change
Be careful after words we say
'cause this is go too far like bullets shots in space
We've been going that ...
Be careful after words we say
The word we say
Wrapping here, wrapping here you said never again
And here we are, I see you're scared to even look at me
Cause you like I do cause this might be just the end
I need to wake up, something got to give in
I never thought I'll end here like this with you
And our future now depends on the words we use
At the end at the line and now it's time for us to choose
This ain't how I picture it out
But bay here we are standing face to face in a moment things could change
Be careful after words we say
'cause this is go too far like bullets shots in space
We've been going that ...
Be careful after words we say
The word we say
Lay down, lay down, lay down and calm down...
Lay down, lay down, lay the words we say
Oh,
Lay down, lay down, lay down and calm down...
Lay down, lay down, lay the words we say
Oh
Thank you baby, take a minute to your self casus this ain't how I picture us, this ain't how I picture us,
But bay here we are standing face to face in a moment things could change
Be careful after words we say
'Cause this is go too far like bullets shots in space
We've been going that ...
Be careful after words we say
The word we say
The song Words by Jay Sean is a soulful ballad that explores the impact of words on relationships. The lyrics suggest that words have the power to either build or destroy relationships. The song begins with the singer stating that they can run or fly, but they can also get caught in traffic. This signifies that situations can be favorable or unfavorable, but it all depends on the words one uses to handle them. The chorus intimates the importance of the words used by the singer and their partner. The singer ponders the importance of the words they say and their future together depends on how they communicate.
The lyrics also explore the fragility of relationships. The singer states that they never thought they would end up standing face to face in a moment where things could change. The repetition of the line "Be careful after the words we say" conveys the singer's concern about the impact of their words. The bridge of the song encourages the singer's partner to take a minute to themselves and reflect on the situation. The singer acknowledges that what is happening between them is not how they would have pictured it, but they stand at a crossroads where their choice of words could either break them apart or strengthen their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
We can run out we can fly
We have the freedom to make choices and explore new possibilities
We get caught in traffic yeah
We may encounter obstacles and challenges in our journey
We can sink or we can swim all just look like passing…
We have the potential to succeed or fail, but everything will eventually pass
We can survive or let it die, it’s only one way this can go
We must decide whether to continue persevering or give up and accept defeat
Do we know exactly what we saying
We should be mindful of the words we use and their impact on others
I never thought I’ll end here like this with you
I never imagined our relationship would come to this point
And our future now depends on the words we use
The way we communicate with each other will determine the fate of our relationship
At the end at the line and now it’s time for us to choose
We have reached a critical point in our relationship and must make a decision
This ain’t how I picture it out
Things didn't turn out the way I anticipated
But bay here we are standing face to face in a moment things could change
We are facing each other in a pivotal moment where our relationship could change direction
Be careful after words we say
We must be cautious and thoughtful about what we say to each other
‘cause this is go too far like bullets shots in space
The impact of our words could be far-reaching and difficult to undo
We’ve been going that …
We have been going through a lot of challenges and struggles
Lay down, lay down, lay down and calm down…
We need to take a step back and calm ourselves down
Lay down, lay down, lay the words we say
We need to lay down the words we use and choose them carefully
Thank you baby, take a minute to your self casus this ain’t how I picture us, this ain’t how I picture us
We should take a moment to reflect on how our relationship has turned out and where we want it to go
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEREMY SKALLER, KHALED ROHAIM, ROBERT LARROW, JAY SEAN, JARED COTTER, MICHAEL GEORGE HANNIDES, ANTHONY ATHANASIOS HANNIDES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind