Twenty nine
By Tom Foolery on March 1, 2026 12:05 pm
This week I turned 29. A year ago, I was trying (and struggling) to write a song that put into words that feeling that I had outlived so many influential people that died at that fateful age of 27, realising how truly young they were, but also feeling a little bit stunned at how they had managed to carve out such a legacy in such a short time, and how it can feel a bit like I have barely made a dent in this world. That only feels like a month ago, yet here we are another year on.
I wrote this song early for once, and focused just on writing it out before trying to record it. It's funny how easily I can be proud of so many people, and find wonder in the things around me, yet how difficult that can be to sometimes turn back on myself. I remember feeling so proud of the first tomato plant that grew in my garden. What if I allowed myself to feel that way about the achievements in my life? This song is about that.
Otherwise this week:
- Saw Black Country, New Road, Hatchie (on my birthday!!! Divine, I cried), and Merzbow.
- Birthday celebrations with friends, colleagues, two cakes (too many).
- A run followed by swimming in the bay! Times two!
- Shooting a roll of 120 film in my RB67 for the first time in a year (oops).
- Went for a trip to site with work and got to experience the planes flying right over me. At this particular site the sound of the planes was incredible, but more interesting was the sound of the wake ripping through the air about 30 seconds after the plane was gone.
- Watching Reformat the Planet with friends and feeling inspired all over again.
Musically, I wanted to keep this simple - just me and the guitar (another DADGAD piece). Writing it separately to recording it was an interesting experience! It flowed very quickly, and kept it nicely broken up into neat sessions. However, when I came to record it, I had a half blocked ear and my voice was not playing ball. I would have loved to have another go at getting a good vocal take for the chorus, but I have run out of time.
there's an insect in your garden
you've been watching as it grows
your sister's even smarter
than anybody knows
your friends they move around you
you never run alone
your brother had a baby
now she stands on her own
somewhere in this busy life
don't forget to look
at the man in the mirror
at the man in the mirror
I know you don't slow down at all
but let yourself take note
of the things that you have done
of the man you have become
mum helped you plant the seedlings
and they grew by themselves
each small fruit that ripened
sits proudly on your shelf
dad thinks he's getting slower
but you still can't keep up
some nights you sit and wonder
if you could ever do as much
but somewhere in this busy life
don't forget to look
at the man in the mirror
at the man in the mirror
I know you don't slow down at all
but let yourself take note
of the things that you have done
of the man you have become
you've made it so far
be proud
now that you've found your voice
sing loud
though you didn't build the walls
you've made them now a home
and though you've had some helping
this life it is your own
Audio works licensed by author under:
CC Attribution Noncommercial No Derivative Works (BY-NC-ND)
