Welcome to Week Four of Oh CRUMBS!
This week, we’ll be looking at
My fourth single, Running On Time
Several quotes on time
A Richard Curtis classic
A poem by me
And the fourth Peach Picks!
Behind The Song 🎙️
The idea for Running On Time came to me when I was, ironically, running late to meet someone. I began cursing at myself - why hadn’t I left more time? Why was I not more organised, focused, insert-continuous-self-criticism-here? I remember it so vividly, sweatily running down Southbank in London, trying to shave minutes off my Google Maps’ suggested time of arrival when it hit me. What if I’m not late, or early, I’m just running on my time? And what if my time, was on time?
I noted the idea down in my phone and began thinking about it more as a potential idea for a song. On the tube home, I wondered if it could be a reminder to everyone (myself included) who kept worrying that they were “late” to their lives that they were actually right where they’re supposed to be?
I brought the idea to a writing session I had with the artist Nick Wilson and he related it to instantly. The music industry is always threatening artists with the lie that once you’re over a certain age, you’re over - if you don’t fit into their ‘cookie-cutter timeline’ you’re too late to be a success. I still know so many artists and performers who have a ‘stage age’ to hide how old they are so they won’t be overlooked. Nick and I wanted to challenge this nonsense, give people their power back, remind them to not be caught up in the comparison game and remember that it is a privilege to grow older each year - age is but a number. But if you need more proof than just my word, Bored Panda has a brilliant article providing evidence that what the entertainment industry says about age is complete poppycock.
When I started the production, I knew I wanted to co-produce the song with one of my favourite writer-producers in Nashville, Femke, who created such a driving rhythm and elevated the atmosphere of the production in ways I could never have imagined. And because he was my ride-or-die on this EP, the wonderful Youngr did the most superb job mixing in all the vocals (all 75 of them!)
Because this song has more of a cinematic feel, Jamie Korn and I discussed what it might be like to shake up the video a bit, move away from my mouth, and create more of a visual experience. So we found scenescapes, views of the natural and modern world, and inverted them to emphasise the importance of reframing what we have been told is true, and start seeing things from a different perspective.
If you are listening or watching Running On Time for the first time, I’d love to know your thoughts! You can listen here on Spotify, or Apple Music.
Quote For It 📜
Since Running On Time is both about trusting in your own timeline and not getting sidetracked by comparing yourself to others’ timelines, I wanted to share several quotes to cover all bases…
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is, you’re the pilot.”
“I have to stop asking people for directions to places they've never been. There is no map.”
“Stay in your own lane. Comparison kills creativity and joy.”
Watch It 🎬
Following this week’s theme about time, the movie I wanted to recommend to you this week is just that - About Time. It’s a Richard Curtis classic about the importance of making each day count, about making the most of the time we have, and has just the right amount of soppy-to-funny ratio.
If you haven’t seen About Time, I’d highly recommend it, and if you have, what was your favourite moment?
From The Poet Tree 📚
I have been working on a poetry book for a little while now, and as I’m going back through all my poems, slowly piecing them together to try and form a cohesive whole, I came across this one, which felt like an extension of this week’s theme (and for the athletes among us, you can always substitute ‘walking’ for ‘running’.)
Keep On Walking
Every sign has fallen, pointing downwards
The sky’s been covered over, no light to help guide you;
But you keep on walking.
The stones in your shoe cut deeper with every step
The sideways rain gets you nearly - but not quite - fully wet;
But you keep on walking.
The voices get so loud, you think you might go deaf
Or worse, that their bitterness will be all that’s left
Ringing in your ears and spilling from your mouth;
But you keep on walking.
You walk for the faith, the hope, the smiles, the beauty, the fire, the passion, the good days, the tomorrows, the views, the tears, the laughter, the toe taps, the headbangers, the maybe’s, the might be’s, the I-know-one-day-there-will be’s.
All you need to do is
Just.
Keep.
Walking.
Peach Picks 🍑
This is where I share my Spotify playlist of “Songs My Friends Wrote”. This week, the artists I love spending time with are Femke, Belle Mt and Emily Hackett.
The artwork for the playlist is by the incredible Austin Kleon
Thanks so much for following the crumbs with me, can’t wait to share more next week!
Love,