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)
Usher
Jamie Cullum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Used to find my god under the flashing lights
I met him in Tribeca in 2002, he told me
"Love is the truth inside a life that's cruel"
So get me a time machine
To relive my dreams
So get me a time machine
Yeah, did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
Did I ever tell ya, tell ya?
Did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
But I'm telling ya, he ain't no you
He ain't no you
He ain't no you
He said to me "There's nothing on the other side, c'mon
Everyone you love someday will die
But when you bring the party but you also bring the truth
Life is a beauty for a minute or two"
So get me a time machine
To relive my dreams
So get me a time machine
To relive my dreams, ooh
Yeah, did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
Did I ever tell ya, tell ya?
Did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
But I'm telling ya, he ain't no you
He ain't no you
He ain't no you
Get me a time machine
Get me a time machine
Get me a time machine
Get me a time machine
Get me a time machine
Yeah, did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
Did I ever tell ya, tell ya?
Did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
But I'm telling ya, he ain't no you
He ain't no you
He ain't no you
The lyrics to Jamie Cullum's song "Usher" depict a longing for a past time or relationship that was once meaningful. In the opening lines, Cullum refers to a place called "no man's land," which symbolizes a state of emotional detachment or emptiness. He recalls finding solace and a sense of transcendence in the "flashing lights," likely referring to a club or a vibrant nightlife. He then mentions meeting someone in Tribeca in 2002 who shared an insightful perspective on love, describing it as the truth in a cruel life.
The chorus emphasizes the desire to go back in time, to "get me a time machine" in order to relive past dreams. Cullum then questions if he mentioned before that he used to know Usher, a reference to the famous American singer. However, he ultimately concludes that while he knew Usher, the person he is addressing is something more special, someone who can't be compared to Usher. The lyrics suggest that this person holds a unique place in the singer's heart and has a profound impact on his life.
Overall, the song conveys a nostalgia for a lost connection, a yearning to relive past experiences, and an acknowledgement that some relationships or moments cannot be replicated.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me down to no man's land tonight
Lead me to a place where there are no rules or restrictions, where I can escape from the pressures of life.
Used to find my god under the flashing lights
I used to believe that music and fame were my ultimate sources of fulfillment and happiness.
I met him in Tribeca in 2002, he told me
"Love is the truth inside a life that's cruel"
I encountered someone in Tribeca back in 2002 who enlightened me by explaining that love is the only genuine and meaningful aspect in an otherwise harsh and unfair world.
So get me a time machine
To relive my dreams
I wish I could go back in time to experience and relive the dreams and aspirations I once had.
Yeah, did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
Did I ever tell ya, tell ya?
Have I mentioned before that I was acquainted with Usher? Have I ever shared this with you?
But I'm telling ya, he ain't no you
He ain't no you
He ain't no you
However, I want to emphasize that Usher is not comparable to you in any way. He doesn't possess the qualities and significance that you do.
He said to me "There's nothing on the other side, c'mon
Everyone you love someday will die
But when you bring the party but you also bring the truth
Life is a beauty for a minute or two"
He shared with me his belief that there is nothing beyond this life, and someday all the people we care about will pass away. However, he emphasized the importance of living in the moment, finding joy in celebration, while still staying true to ourselves and acknowledging the fleeting nature of beauty.
Get me a time machine
I desire to obtain a time machine.
Get me a time machine
Get me a time machine.
Get me a time machine
Acquire a time machine for me.
Yeah, did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
Did I ever tell ya, tell ya?
Have I mentioned before that I was acquainted with Usher? Have I ever shared this with you?
But I'm telling ya, he ain't no you
He ain't no you
He ain't no you
However, I want to emphasize that Usher is not comparable to you in any way. He doesn't possess the qualities and significance that you do.
Get me a time machine
I desire to obtain a time machine.
Get me a time machine
Get me a time machine.
Get me a time machine
Acquire a time machine for me.
Get me a time machine
I wish to possess a time machine.
Get me a time machine
Obtain a time machine on my behalf.
Yeah, did I ever tell ya that I used to know Usher?
Did I ever tell ya, tell ya?
Have I mentioned before that I was acquainted with Usher? Have I ever shared this with you?
But I'm telling ya, he ain't no you
He ain't no you
He ain't no you
However, I want to emphasize that Usher is not comparable to you in any way. He doesn't possess the qualities and significance that you do.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ben Cullum, Jamie Cullum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind