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)
Love Is In The Picture
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Against the tide
Can you see these arms
They′re flung open wide
It brings me to my knees all this in my dream
So will you be the vine that climbs
The walls to me
Let it pull you from the depths of the ocean
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It′s coming down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
See it creeping in, in red and gold
It′s in the shadows where your tear bare your soul
So will you meet me out there in that field
So in a garden bursting for all of you
And I said, oh
When I look beyond the border I′ll breathe you
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It′s comin' down the river
I′m falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya'
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don′t ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
Whoa, whoa
It's comin' down the river
I′m falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya′
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
The lyrics of Jamie Cullum's "Love Is In The Picture" suggest that the singer is attempting to persuade an individual to enter into a romantic relationship with them despite the inherent risks and obstacles that come with it. The singer questions the subject's bravery and determination, inquiring whether they possess the courage to "swim the sea against the tide." Additionally, the singer acknowledges that forming a romantic relationship can be intimidating and susceptible to causing physical and emotional vulnerability, represented through the lyric "It brings me to my knees all this in my dream." The singer then provides a gentle metaphor of a vine climbing a wall as a means of illustrating their desire for the subject to take the risk of pursuing them.
Throughout the chorus, the singer describes the overwhelming and undeniable feeling of being in love. The lyrics "It's coming down the river, I'm falling like a meteor" hints the speed and unstoppable nature of falling in love. The singer compares the experience to a meteor and claims a feeling of immediacy and intensity upon falling in love. The repetition of the phrase "When love is in the picture" in the chorus serves to emphasize the importance of seizing the opportunity presented to them.
The second verse begins with a description of love and its ability to infiltrate every aspect of one's life symbolized through the imagery of "creeping in, in red and gold." The singer acknowledges that true vulnerability is not found in the shadows, but rather when one has to face the difficulties of love and life head-on. The singer then urges the subject to join them in a forthcoming journey characterized as a "garden bursting for all of you." Ultimately, the lyrics of "Love Is In The Picture" are a plea for the individual not to shy away from love but embrace it fully.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you gonna swim the sea
Are you willing to go to great lengths for love?
Against the tide
Even if it's hard and goes against convention?
Can you see these arms
Can you see that I'm open and vulnerable?
They're flung open wide
I'm ready to embrace love with all that I am
It brings me to my knees all this in my dream
The idea of love is so powerful that it humbles me
So will you be the vine that climbs
Will you work hard and persistently to get closer to me?
The walls to me
My heart and affection
It's coming down the river
Love is approaching
I'm falling like a meteor
I'm falling deeply and quickly in love
You know when it hits ya
It's unmistakable when love hits you
When love is in the picture
When love is present in your life
You could be the dreamer
You can have high hopes and aspirations for love
You could be the fighter
You can overcome obstacles for love
But don't ever be a stranger
Don't be distant or closed off in love
So in a garden bursting for all of you
Together we can enjoy the abundance of love
See it creeping in, in red and gold
Love can come unexpectedly and beautifully
It's in the shadows where your tear bare your soul
Love can reveal our deepest emotions and vulnerabilities
So will you meet me out there in that field
Will you join me in pursuing love?
And I said, oh
The singer is emphasizing their words
When I look beyond the border I’ll breathe you
I'll embrace you fully and passionately
Until you feel that maybe you're not alone
Love can make us feel connected and supported
Writer(s): Jamie Cullum
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
fil_is_weird
Lyrics
Are you gonna swim the sea, against the tide
Can you see these arms, they're flung open wide
It brings me to my knees all this in my dream
So will you be the vine that climbs the walls to me
And I said, oh
Let it pull you from the depths of the ocean
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It's coming down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
See it creeping in in red and gold
It's in the shadows where your teeth bare your soul
So will you meet me out there in that field
So in a garden bursting for [?]
And I said, oh
When I look to you on the border I'll breathe you
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It's comin' down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
It's comin' down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
Yosep Ditiya
[I Know You Need a Lyrics ]
Are you gonna swim the sea, against the tide
Can you see these arms, they're flung open wide
It brings me to my knees all this in my dream
So will you be the vine that climbs the walls to me
And I said, oh
Let it pull you from the depths of the ocean
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It's coming down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
See it creeping in in red and gold
It's in the shadows where your teeth bare your soul
So will you meet me out there in that field
So in a garden bursting for [?]
And I said, oh
When I look to you on the border I'll breathe you
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It's comin' down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
It's comin' down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
Claudiu Vlad
Are you gonna swim the sea, against the tide
Can you see these arms, they're flung open wide
It brings me to my knees all this in my dream
So will you be the vine that climbs the walls to me
And I said, oh
Let it pull you from the depths of the ocean
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It's coming down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
See it creeping in in red and gold
It's in the shadows where your teeth bare your soul
So will you meet me out there in that field
So in a garden bursting for [?]
And I said, oh
When I look to you on the border I'll breathe you
Oh, until you feel that maybe you're not alone
It's comin' down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
It's comin' down the river
I'm falling like a meteor
You know when it hits ya
When love is in the picture
You could be the dreamer
You could be the fighter
But don't ever be a stranger
When love is in the picture
Siyabonga Africa
Since the first time I heard Jamie Cullum I fell in love with his music. And that love has not stopped. What a talent.
RØMÏ
Just brilliant. ❤ I used to listen to your music a lot whenever I was dealing with a lot of stress and mental health problems in middle and high school. Just know you got a special place in my heart forever. ❤
Miguel Gilbert
me too!!
Naomi Bird
Baby like a bosss
Bel Ato
In my heart too.
Nyenbeku George
Me too :)
Grinding Only
Jamie Cullum is way too underrated.
Dem Memо
ШИКАРНО!!!..СРОЧНО ДУЭТ!!!...ПЕРЕЧИСЛЯТЬ НЕ БУДУ!)))
Adrian
Amazing vocal in that high register. Sounds beautiful with that reverb-drenching. A masterful composition.
Thanks for the music JC. Just gets better and better.
Ralph Jackson
If there is something electronic subtly present on that long note he holds,I was thinking how would it sound if it was just his voice or with a backing vocalist coming in not too obtrusively just for that bit?