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)
Introduction to 21st Century Kid
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause with everyday things continue
To get more compromised
So who will fantasize
A new generation politicized
When things are done in our own name
Are we as much to blame
But only lately
And the ground is removed underneath
Shout it from the brink
You're louder than you think
21st century kid surrounded by illusion and confusion
So maybe if you're holding out for the truth now
Could it be the greatest weapon
Could it be the greatest weapon
Your weapon
Nothing is certain except a memory
And that's soon washed away by a low sea
Now sit yourself down my one
And see what you become
Ignoring a smoldering gun
The white dove's flown
D'ya think we're on our own
21st century kid surrounded by illusion and confusion
So maybe if you're holding out for the truth now
Could it be the greatest weapon
21st century kid surrounded by illusion and confusion
So maybe if you're holding out for the truth now
Could it be the greatest weapon
Could it be the greatest weapon
Your weapon
The lyrics to Jamie Cullum's song "21st Century Kid" are thought-provoking and focus on the idea of being surrounded by confusion and illusion in the modern world. The opening lines suggest that there may be a way to communicate an important message, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so as the world becomes more complicated, and the truth is harder to discern. The song touches on themes of political disillusionment, acknowledging the idea that the actions taken in our name may be doing more harm than good, and the idea that we are all complicit in the current state of affairs.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for people to speak out about what they believe in, even if it feels like they are alone in doing so. It suggests that the truth can be a powerful weapon against confusion and illusion, and that individuals have the ability to make a difference with their voices. The bridge of the song touches on the idea that everything is constantly changing and uncertain, and that memories can be easily washed away by the tide of time. The closing lines of the song seem to suggest the possibility of hope, as the image of a white dove suggests a symbol of peace and the idea that we are not alone in working towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
There's maybe a way I can tell you
The singer is suggesting they have a way to convey something important.
'Cause with everyday things continue
The singer is noting that advancements and events progress with each day.
To get more compromised
The singer believes that advancements and events are becoming increasingly flawed or harmful.
So who will fantasize
The artist poses a question about who will dream or imagine a better future given the current state of things.
A new generation politicized
The artist suggests that there needs to be a politically active and engaged new generation to make positive changes.
When things are done in our own name
The singer questions when actions are done by a certain group or entity on behalf of themselves.
Are we as much to blame
The singer questions whether the individuals associated with that group or entity are equally responsible for the consequences of those actions.
Now it's become clear to me
The artist expresses a realization they have come to.
But only lately
The artist notes that this realization has only come to them recently.
And the ground is removed underneath
The artist feels as though the foundation they've been standing on has been taken away, leaving them feeling unsettled or lost.
Shout it from the brink
The singer is urging people to speak out, even if they feel as though they are at the edge of a precarious situation.
You're louder than you think
The artist believes that people have more of a voice and impact than they may initially realize.
21st century kid surrounded by illusion and confusion
The singer refers to contemporary youth as being misled or uncertain in this era.
So maybe if you're holding out for the truth now
The singer believes that if someone is searching for or waiting for truth, they might find it.
Could it be the greatest weapon
The singer suggests that uncovering and embracing truth could serve as a powerful tool for positive change.
Nothing is certain except a memory
The artist suggests that remembrances are the only things that can be considered definitive.
And that's soon washed away by a low sea
The artist suggests that memories can easily be forgotten or lost over time like a receding sea.
Now sit yourself down my one
The singer addresses a singular person, encouraging them to take a moment to rest or contemplate something.
And see what you become
The singer suggests that by taking that moment, the person might discover who they truly are or aspire to be.
Ignoring a smoldering gun
The artist warns against ignoring an issue or threat that could eventually become much more dangerous.
The white dove's flown
The artist refers to the symbolic white dove of peace having left the context they are speaking of.
D'ya think we're on our own
The artist asks if people are now left to fend for themselves without guidance or support.
21st century kid surrounded by illusion and confusion
The singer refers to contemporary youth as being misled or uncertain in this era.
So maybe if you're holding out for the truth now
The artist believes that if someone is searching for or waiting for truth, they might find it.
Could it be the greatest weapon
The singer suggests that uncovering and embracing truth could serve as a powerful tool for positive change.
21st century kid surrounded by illusion and confusion
The singer refers to contemporary youth as being misled or uncertain in this era.
So maybe if you're holding out for the truth now
The singer believes that if someone is searching for or waiting for truth, they might find it.
Could it be the greatest weapon
The artist suggests that uncovering and embracing truth could serve as a powerful tool for positive change.
Your weapon
The artist suggests that truth-seeking and truth-telling could serve as a potent strength for the individual.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMIE CULLUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind