Retrograde

Interesting song. In my opinion it is about loss, and pain, and trying to cope. The lyrics depict a conversation, possibly between two lovers, or two close people. But I like another idea better: I think that James is talking to himself. That this is some kind of a pep talk, he is in a bad place and he is trying to make himself feel better.

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"Suddenly I'm hip" - this may be too obvious, but could refer to his overnight success last year (upon releasing his EP). It may not have been an easy experience. A lot of changes, a lot of expectations, a lot to deal with. The name of the album may also hint to that - "Overgrown". As if the young musician has been through a lot in a short time.

Either way, this event that starts the 'story' of the song is abrupt, sharp, almost impossible to prepar to. And it hits hard. When the dust settles, things are not good. "Darkness". Emptyness. "Your friends are gone...". Nevertheless, he still hangs on to hope - "Is this the darkness of the dawn?..." he asks. He seeks reassurance that this is just the beginning (=dawn) and not the end. That it's going to get better.

Comes the answer - the voice in his head telling him to hang in there - "Few more years to go, don't let the hurdle fall." Yes, this IS just the beginning. Have faith. But it's not going to be easy, so use what you have. "Be the girl you loved." She is someone you think highly of, so learn from her (her strength? Her patience? We'll never know...). She can be your inspiration in this journey.

Just remember, James, when you go back out there, "You're on your own". You can't expect help from others, "Your friends won't come." You should not trust others, "Ignore everybody else." This is no longer your place. You need to get up and find a new place for yourself. "Show me where you fit."

It will take time. But it's okay, "I'll wait". You have it in you. Now prove to me, to yourself, that you can move on. "Show me why you're strong."

"We're alone now", he repeats to himself, like a mantra, until it will sink in.

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The name of the song - "Retrograde" - could also support this interpretation. "Retrograde" - move backword, retreat, go back to an earlier condition. As if (very freely -) he needs to pull out of the race, to retreat to a safe place, so he can to gather his strength, so he can go back to being who he was before all this.

Another definition (just discovered this now when I looked it up, and I love it :) ): "Retrograde motion" - to move opposite to something else (as in a satellite orbiting its planet opposite to the planet's rotation direction.) (Again, very freely -) you don't have to keep walking the same path as most of the others do. Even if that means that you'll be alone from now on, be true to yourself, be strong, ignore everybody else. Show me where YOU fit.