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)
Turn On The Lights
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna feel that winter solstice high
Can it make everything alright?
Show me reindeer flying through the midnight sky
We've got a dream that comes back every year
Fallen pines needles and stockings full of cheer
I want it all until it disappears
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us darling getting closer
It's coming down the road, and stopping it now
Stopping it now is impossible
I built a snowman out the back
It came alive and flew me round this sleepy town
I put an old scarf round its neck
And every time you kiss me, my head turns upside down
We've got a dream that comes back every year
Fallen pines needles and stockings full of cheer
I want it all until it disappears
'Fore it's gone, gone, gone
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us darling getting closer
It's coming down the road, and stopping it now
Stopping it now is impossible
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us darling getting closer
It's coming down the road, and stopping it now
Stopping it now is impossible
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us darling getting closer
It's coming down the road, and stopping it now
Stopping it now is impossible
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us darling getting closer
It's coming down the road, and stopping it now
Stopping it now is impossible
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
The lyrics of "Turn On The Lights" by Jamie Cullum capture the anticipation and joy of the Christmas season, emphasizing the importance of coming together with those we love to share in the warmth and hope that the holiday evokes. The chorus, which repeats the titular phrase "turn on the lights" multiple times, encourages us to embrace the festive spirit and bask in the joy and light that the season brings, despite any challenges or difficulties that we may face.
The verses of the song further emphasize the importance of family and tradition during the holiday season, with references to "reindeer flying through the midnight sky" and "fallen pines needles and stockings full of cheer." The repetition of the phrase "Another Christmas is around the corner / And I can feel us darling getting closer" reinforces the connections between people that are deepened during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Let's light up the darkness and bring in the warmth and comfort of the festive season
I wanna feel that winter solstice high
I want to experience the euphoria and excitement of the winter celebration
Can it make everything alright?
Can this joyful season bring an end to all the worries and troubles of the year?
Show me reindeer flying through the midnight sky
Let's indulge in the magical and fantastical elements of Christmas and revel in the wonder of the season
We've got a dream that comes back every year
There's a recurring vision of happiness and optimism that accompanies the holiday spirit
Fallen pines needles and stockings full of cheer
The sights and sounds of Christmas create a heartwarming and festive atmosphere
I want it all until it disappears
I want to savour every moment of the season before it inevitably comes to an end
'Fore it's gone, gone, gone
Before it disappears completely, let's enjoy the magic of Christmas
Another Christmas is around the corner
It's time to get excited for another round of holiday festivities
And I can feel us darling getting closer
I sense a deeper bond forming with my loved ones during this special time of year
It's coming down the road, and stopping it now
The holiday season is approaching, and there's no way to halt its arrival
Stopping it now is impossible
No matter what we do, the holiday season is inevitable and will arrive soon
I built a snowman out the back
I created a whimsical creature from the snow to add to the festive mood
It came alive and flew me round this sleepy town
In my mind's eye, the snowman sprang to life and gave me a tour of the quiet town
I put an old scarf round its neck
I adorned the snowman with a knitted scarf to keep it warm and festive
And every time you kiss me, my head turns upside down
In your embrace, I feel dizzy with happiness and love, and everything else seems to fade into the background
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Let's illuminate our surroundings and soak in the holiday cheer
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jamie Cullum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jenny Rikkonen
Lyrics ✨
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
I wanna feel that winter solstice high
Can it make everything alright?
Show me reindeer flying through the midnight sky
We've got a dream that comes back every year
Fallen pine needles and stockings full of cheer
I want it all until it disappears
'Fore it's gone, gone, gone
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us, darling, getting closer
It's coming down the road
And stopping it now, stopping it now is impossible
I built a snowman out the back
It came alive and flew me 'round this sleepy town
I put an old scarf 'round its neck
And every time you kiss me
My head turns upside down
We've got a dream that comes back every year
Fallen pine needles and stockings full of cheer
I want it all until it disappears
'Fore it's gone, gone, gone
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us, darling, getting closer
It's coming down the road
And stopping it now, stopping it now is impossible
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us, darling, getting closer
It's coming down the road
And stopping it now, stopping it now is impossible
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us, darling, getting closer
It's coming down the road
And stopping it now, stopping it now is impossible
Another Christmas is around the corner
And I can feel us, darling, getting closer
It's coming down the road
And stopping it now, stopping it now is impossible
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Turn on the lights, turn on the lights
Time to turn on all the lights, all the lights
Vivia Teller
I'm ready to listen to this Christmas song for the next 50 years. Thank you, Jamie
Farry James Scott
Me too :) merry Christmas
Vivia Teller
@Farry James Scott Merry Christmas! :)
Caleb - Singer and VA
Almost time for another year.
Catherine Courageux
Thank you so much for this beautiful song full of such energy that you immediately feel good and make you want to dance even if the Christmas tire is shifted in the calendrier.
Thanks for this good time.
Catherine Courageux
Sorry, Christmas time
Ana Rosa Hernández Cruz
Precioso 💕
Eve Mora
I find such comfort in your music. No matter how sad I'm feeling, I feel happy when I listen to you. No matter how dark is my mind when I'm depressed, I'm able to forget all of that for the few minutes your songs lasts... you're amazing. I've never felt such conection to someone's music. Thank you so much, for everything you do. You're the best. Much love xx
Karly E
Ahhh this was so good! Love the close ups on all the instruments. Can't wait for the album!
Craig Johnson
In this year of the pandemic when so many people lost so much, and many feel they are in a dark place, what a gift Jamie has given us. A happy song about Christmas being near, and keeping that happiness for as long as possible by turning the lights on! I recently saw a delightful documentary featuring all the places in the UK that had indoor and out door Christmas lights for the public to see. "Turn On The Lights" brought this back .