Cullum was born in Romford, East London. He was brought up in Hullavington, Wiltshire, and educated at the independent fee-paying Grittleton House School and the sixth form at Sheldon School. He then went on to study English Literature, and minored in Film Studies, at Reading University where he graduated with First Class Honours.
His mother, Yvonne, is a secretary of Anglo-Burmese origin, whose family settled in Wales after Burma's independence; his father, John Cullum, worked in finance. His paternal grandfather was a British Army officer, while his paternal grandmother was a Jewish refugee from Prussia who sang in Berlin nightclubs.
Cullum married British model Sophie Dahl at a country hotel in the New Forest National Park in England on 9 January 2010.
Cullum released his first album, Jamie Cullum Trio—Heard it All, in 1999, of which 500 copies were made. Due to their rarity, original copies have sold for as much as £600 on eBay. The success of Heard It All Before resulted in Cullum being invited to appear on Geoff Gascoyne's album Songs of the Summer.
After graduating from Reading University, Cullum released a best-selling album, Pointless Nostalgic, which stirred interest from Michael Parkinson[2] and Melvyn Bragg.
Just after Cullum made his first television appearance, on Parkinson in April 2003, he signed a £1m contract[3] for three albums with Universal, who beat Sony in a bidding war. Cullum's third album, Twentysomething, released in October 2003, went platinum and became the #1 selling studio album by a jazz artist in the United Kingdom. Cullum ended 2003 as the UK's biggest selling jazz artist of all time.[3]
Although primarily a jazz musician, he performs in a wide range of styles and is generally regarded as a "crossover" artist with his musical roots firmly based in jazz. Cullum draws his inspiration from many different musicians and listens to an eclectic mix of music from Miles Davis[4] to Tom Waits and many more. Cullum has belonged to several bands, ranging from banging drums in a hip hop group to playing guitar in rock bands such as Raw Sausage and The Mystery Machine, in his teenage youth. Cullum names his elder brother, Ben Cullum, as his biggest musical influence, and the two continue to collaborate extensively.
Cullum is well known not only for his abilities on the piano, but also for his unique entertainment style and charisma. One of the many things that features in Jamie's concerts is the "stompbox" (not to be confused with an effect pedal for guitars), made from a small wooden block. The stompbox is used to amplify a musician's tapping foot. Jamie found this in Australia and uses it to enhance upbeat and fast-paced songs such as Seven Nation Army originally by the White Stripes and "Gold Digger", originally by Kanye West. He is also often found using a looping machine. This plays a heavy part in Cullum's versions of Seven Nation Army and Teardrop by Massive Attack. Cullum is also often found beatboxing at most gigs.
As well as the White Stripes and Kanye West, Cullum has performed work by Massive Attack, Rihanna, Pussycat Dolls, Radiohead, Gnarls Barkley, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Joy Division, Lady Gaga and many others. He has also performed with Kylie Minogue, Sugababes, Will.i.am and Burt Bacharach.
Cullum rarely works to a set list and on average his gigs last just over two hours. The gigs are largely improvised, rooted in jazz but not solely consisting of jazz music.
Cullum has played at many large music festivals, including Glastonbury Festival (in 2004 & 2009), Coachella 2005, 2006 South by Southwest, North Sea Jazz Festival, the Hollywood Bowl (performing with the Count Basie Orchestra) and the 2006 Playboy Jazz Festival. On the April 29th 2006 Cullum played his biggest ever crowd on Queensday in The Netherlands.
Discography:
1999 - Heard It All Before
2001 - Pointless Nostalgic
2003 - Twentysomething
2005 - Catching Tales
2009 - The Pursuit
2010 - Devil May Care
2013 - Momentum
2014 - Interlude
2018 - The song society playlist
2019 - Taller
2020 - The pianoman at christmas
2021 - The pianoman at christmas (The complete edition)
Give Me The Simple Life
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't believe in frettin' or grievin'
Why mess around with strife?
Guess I was cut out to step up and strut out
Give me the simple life
It must be pleasant dining on pheasant
I want tomatoes and mashed potatoes
Give me the simple life
Cottage small is all I'm after
Not one that's spacious and wide
Ah, that brings the joy and laughter
With the ones that you love inside
You take the high road, I'll take the low road
Free from all care and strife
Sounds corny and seedy, oh yes, indeed
Give me the simple life
A cottage small is all I'm after
Not one that's spacious and wide
A house that brings the joy and laughter
With the ones that you love inside
You take the high road, I'll take the low road
Free from all care and strife
Sounds corny and seedy, oh yes, indeed
Give me the simple life, give me the simple life
In Jamie Cullum's song "Give Me The Simple Life," the singer shares his desire for a life without complications, and instead, filled with simple pleasures. He starts off by saying that he doesn't believe in fretting or grieving and questions why people bother with such strife. He thinks he was meant to step up and strut out and wants to live life simply. He then mentions how he would find pleasure in dining on pheasant and using the proper knife, but ultimately wants just tomatoes and mashed potatoes.
The second verse emphasizes his desire for a cozy and small cottage. He doesn't want one that's spacious and wide but instead wants a house that brings joy and laughter with loved ones inside. He wants to take the low road and be free from all care and strife. Despite sounding corny and seedy to some, the singer insists that he finds joy in the simple life.
The song's message is straightforward and heartfelt, and it resonates with people who find peace in the little things in life. The singer's desire for a simple life stripped of complications and filled with joy and family is universal, and many people can relate to it. It's a reminder to appreciate the moments that matter and to cherish the people who bring happiness into our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't believe in frettin' or grievin'
I don't believe in worrying or sorrowing unnecessarily.
Why mess around with strife?
Why involve oneself in conflict, struggle or difficulty?
Guess I was cut out to step up and strut out
I think I was made to be confident and display my talents.
Give me the simple life
I desire a life that is unpretentious and modest.
It must be pleasant dining on pheasant
Eating pheasant must be enjoyable and luxurious.
Using the proper knife
Eating with the correct utensils must be important for some people.
I want tomatoes and mashed potatoes
I prefer simple and uncomplicated food.
Cottage small is all I'm after
I don't need or want a large home.
Not one that's spacious and wide
I don't need or want a house that is big and roomy.
Ah, that brings the joy and laughter
Having a small cottage can bring happiness and enjoyment.
With the ones that you love inside
Being with loved ones in a small space can be comforting and fulfilling.
You take the high road, I'll take the low road
We can take different paths to reach our goals.
Free from all care and strife
Without problems or difficulties.
Sounds corny and seedy, oh yes, indeed
It may sound old-fashioned or cheesy, but it's what I desire.
Give me the simple life, give me the simple life
I really want a life that is simple and untroubled.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY RUBY, RUBE BLOOM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind