James Blake - Retrograde (Live On Letterman)

James Blake - Retrograde (Live On Letterman)
Assume Form
The new album by James Blake. Out now.
Listen at assumeform.com
Follow James Blake:
Facebook: / jamesblakemusic
Twitter: / jamesblake
Instagram: / jamesblake
www.jamesblakem...
Lyrics
You're on your own
In a world you've grown
Few more years to go
Don't let the hurdle fall
So be the girl you loved
Be the girl you loved
I'll wait
So show me why you’re strong
Ignore everybody else
We're alone now
I'll wait
So show me why you’re strong
Ignore everybody else
We’re alone now
Suddenly I'm hit
It's the starkness of the dawn
And your friends are gone
And your friends won’t come
So show me where you fit
So show me where you fit
I'll wait
So show me why you're strong
Ignore everybody else
We’re alone now (We’re alone now)
I'll wait (We’re alone now)
(We’re alone now)
(We’re alone now)
I'll wait (We’re alone now)
(We’re alone now)
(We’re alone now)
(We’re alone now)
(We’re alone now)
Suddenly I'm hit
It's the starkness of the dawn
And your friends are gone
And your friends won’t come
So show me where you fit
So show me where you fit
#JamesBlake

[@SmirkzHD]

James is a saxophone manifested into a person. 

[@minimoo2686]

Hahaha :')

[@TheGabeBondocCoverer]

Smerkuh Perfect

[@inspir.edmusic]

+Smerkuh Haha! True. But it's "saxophone" lol.

[@chlo3ism]

Couldn't agree more

[@The_Salty_Siren]

Yaaaaaassss

[@YourBoyEobard]

Not many artists sound this damn good live. Holy shit his voice is true.

[@masterculturedunkerque7918]

Victoria Legrand is also as good live as on record

[@aam77]

Wanted to say just that.

[@michmateo]

And when he repeats "we're alone now" i instantly get goosebumps

[@NormBash]

I was at that moment in the song when I came across this comment that's 10 years old.. i was thinking the same thing.

[@Raymondcurryjr]

I would have lost my shit in the crowd no lie

[@halfhigh]

+Raymond Curry I would have lost my shirt too

[@SherelleT92]

+Raymond Curry lol trust

[@suzannahdanielle7402]

+halfhigh opi

[@suzannahdanielle7402]

pkikkkop nephew o8i90

[@laleezy77]

Who you telling!

[@By.Design.]

how is it possible that his live performance sounds just like a recorded song on cd, too F'n amazing!

[@AlienBusDriver1]

lip synching?

[@MsANAIT]

+AlienBusDriver1 it's called actually talent.

[@AlienBusDriver1]

MsANAIT its called actually sarcasm

[@TayRivers222]

Huy Le I'm saying

[@TheMothernerd]

Yeah, his Godspeed on Fallon is also 99% true to the recording. So crazy.

[@Aleskandro]

The most elegant voice of our times. Blue velvet.

[@CassieJazz96]

Very elegant statement.

[@0xf1337]

i was there, about 3 rows from the front. the bass was incredible - his performances are something that need to be felt as much as heard.

[@malachdorell6026]

haha thats so cool. cant even imagine

[@SheMeetsCity]

I LOVE THE WAY HE GROOVES!! Damn! lol. Makes me want to move to the UK and marry him! His rhythm is ON point.

[@MissC333]

That's very interesting that you caught that. I did also and yes I would like to marry him as well shhhh don't tell anyone lol

[@Sahbla]

It's hard to tell at the time, but I have a feeling... when this time of music has passed, people will look back and remember James Blake fondly, and new generations will be able to relate to his messages. Fantastic.

[@MooseM3]

Well said

[@amoore3734]

Listening in 2021 like this came out last week. He voice is amazing..

[@palunium378]

in 2022 same

[@CharifRocka]

In 3024, still incredible. 👽

[@djblondi138]

in 2022 same...it sounds new every time i listen ...i luv his music 🎶🎶🎶

[@MrThessalonikiman1]

In 2023 nothing changed since 2013

[@saxtonmartin3956]

The echoes of "we're alone now" are infinitely beautifully haunting. GENIUS!

[@beobe99]

Sounds of desperation, uncertainty, confusion, love slain, zero hope, and passion! All the ingredients that create Soul. It doesn't matter what your Nationality is, most of us have it! Some more than others, and only a few can radiate it vocally. James Blake confuses your stereotypical senses to remind us we're all one!! In other words, pretty good song :)

[@astonmargolis-dias7089]

Even though its old, I'm vibin to this song sooo much right now

[@Muzikman127]

Took the words out of my mouth, only 7 years earlier lol

[@adamramirez507]

I'm still vibin 😊

[@ebonyjones1206]

I love the way James Blake groove to his own sound. I got to have it!

[@theruff713]

get the album. it's crazy...

[@kayrup3712]

Ikr, it's so ......sexy and simple

[@serenavenus4233]

It’s the fact that his voice is studio ready for a live audience 🥰🥰🥰 my ears are in love

[@HomegirlfromKC]

this is where i discovered him, saw this on tv when it aired, the next day went and bought his album.deadass no bs.10 years lm still in awe of his voice. PUT SOME MF RESPECT ON THAT MANS NAME. it honestly makes me cry. love from KANSAS CITY, KANSAS USA

[@shakylaashabazz4059]

I was crying before he even started singing

[@giselcastillo2080]

god his voice gives me chills

[@jonathanoxlade4252]

It gives me chills why can't morden music be more mixed like this and with more talent than the auto tuned over bassy hits and distorted Vocals

[@VanIsleBC]

drummer went hard on this. what a beast

[@KruthiNair]

I want to die listening to his heavenly humming.

[@rushijoshi3880]

Ya i love this humming 😍😍😍

[@chameleon8656]

me too... if that happened i'd die in peace

[@jimmiejones9596]

I was Absolutely Blown away by this Performance.. So beyond Magnificent, even more POWERFUL Than the Original Studio Recording... That Speaks Volumes and is a Testament to you and your Bandmates.. ✊🏿💯💯💯

[@ptitesirna1]

Whoa. I haven't been rendered speechless from such raw talent in....forever....

[@3nduser]

hauntingly good

[@LoddyDah]

Also, Dave is goat, legend, icon etc...

[@pinkmazohyst]

I like how at the end of the performance Letterman asks Rob what instrument he's playing

[@jadefitzgerald9151]

Still one of my favourite live TV performances of any artist - almost 10 years on.

[@qwertyismymom]

There are two things I'm envious of: Incredible knowledge and musical talent. Just listening to this gives me goosebumps and sweaty palms

[@LoddyDah]

Still a brilliant live performance. 🎶🎧😌💙

[@m.v.1054]

I usually don't like live versions of songs bcause the artist always does something different with it, BUT OMG, James Blake did this song justice!!! He sounds just like the recorded version, Love this song, so powerful and somber and sad at the same time. NICE job!!

[@brianbelcher7279]

Is prince feeling up michael in your profile pic?

[@GladRaisaMunaiseche]

Brian Belcher 😂😂😂😂😂

[@bransonlights]

Dang....he is amazing. Love his voice.....some baby making music right there.

[@ssharkbait]

I heard this song song on the Lianne La Havas station on Pandora and have been trying to find it. Finally! I've been dying to hear it again.

[@LindaWisdomphotography]

This video looks so dated, but the song was and still sounds ahead of its time!! Brilliance!

[@chilliwraslin2510]

HOW TF AM I ONLY SEEING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME. AMAZING!

[@sierradelta07]

Can't. Stop. Playing. This. Song! So so beautiful. Masterful live performance.

[@MrSyabuSyabu]

he is a fucking genius.

[@toyagibson7976]

Some artist have the ability to glide straight past your entrances and pierce your soul. Hes one of them. This has repeat status credibility as far as I'm concerned

[@askfirmationassociation]

I wanna walk down the aisle to this. I wanna sound off an army to this. I wanna good gawd this is...just. if I could bottle up his voice and sell it...but this type of voice has to be free. How can I leash and leave this voice in straight abandon. I need a SDLP projector so I can put crazy pictures all over my wall and listen to this. This is divine. He's like a white Erykah Badu man. He's making me feel like I felt when I was a kid and fell in love with Michael Jackson. I'm a kid all over again and its all because a white boy with a black voice....fuck it I'm buy in this and I'm dead broke.

[@postmodernfreak]

wow...he's really affected you. I love him. I saw him perform live in Manchester. It was amazing. I saw Erykah Badu there, too...she's so cool!

[@huntern64]

No, she's saying James Blake has a lot of soul in his voice.

[@Flirtkakat]

Well here's a fucking tip: Stop making "having soul" a racial thing. Either you have it or you don't, black or not.

[@pavansridharan]

Markus Eriksson No need to lose your temper, son. Black people predominantly had "soul", not white people. You need to stop making everything a "racial thing" just because a reference to black or white is made.

[@postmodernfreak]

pavan sridharan You say that ''black people predominantly had soul'' and then say ''stop making everything a racial thing''. You just did! Singers all have 'soul' regardless of colour or how they express it; soul music, on the other hand, has been associated with black vocalists.

[@massivelikes]

I saw him live. It was flawless, on top of that he's so humble. Blake is going to go far.

[@malibumalik5169]

My God this may just be one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard

[@ItsBonnieAdams]

This is the first time im hearing him and Im infatuated. i remember hearing this actually i think in a commercial or in the background of a YT video and It was killing me for months that I couldnt find out what it was called. Now I found it and Im obsessed

[@willfloydart]

My god to this day, it's still so fresh

[@Runmindrun]

Man James Blake will have me crying like a woman quick yo...music from the heavens.

[@crystab96]

he sounds just like he does on the album. incredible voice. so hauntingly beautiful. ugh just LOVE james blake!

[@brindlebriar]

When someone said, "I'm going to hum part of the song..." and then the world changes, and humming becomes the highest form of music ever.

[@marshamichelle2393]

His voice is so phenomenal!!! My God!! what talent... One of the best I have ever heard, can't stop listening...

[@Sally4831]

the power and control he has over his voice is just mesmerizing. so much love

[@TheJones1]

Omg. Hr freaking sounds so mother FREAKING dope!!! The vocals live are currently unmatched by MANY!!!! MAGNITUDES

[@RandomPersonette]

He's a huge D'angelo fan and you can definitely see and hear the influence.

[@gigaha]

It would be nice to hear D’Angelo make some synth-heavy music like this.

[@RebeccaDInbal]

Just genius.. An angel fallen.. Amazing and so sensitive ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MrJsGotTheGoods]

sign of a good musician: his song and voice sounds the same live

[@MrJsGotTheGoods]

*sign of

[@carolynrogers8715]

Jahdan Gooden-Samuel, yep😃✌.

[@STAUG2001]

Wow, just wow. He sounds even better live! I'm awestruck by the vocals!! Pure heavenly and such control.

[@timoniksen9857]

This songs gives me goosebumps and tears in my eyes very damn time. Gold

[@cannibale101]

Unbelievable. I keep coming back to this

[@Demial_Sparda]

I dont know... but I always crying at part when he sing "And your friends now gone, and your friends wont come"...

[@christopherroblodowski6699]

I first heard this song in The Leftovers Season one trailer. Didn't hear it again until I just randomly found it on KZbin. It's a great song.

[@Andreiiiiiioooooshellllll]

this is one of my favorite tracks in my whole damned life

[@georgiafreedomfinancial3726]

2023... New York, USA still vibing to this song ❤

[@jbs1713]

I could listen to this every single minute of my life

[@kustomkure]

highly agreed

[@sweetangiegirl1]

There should be a like button for comments. I am so agreeing with most of the commentary. I was watching HBO and heard this song. It immediately caught my attention and I immediately downloaded it. His voice is so mature and sexy. It's got some deep down, make you close your eyes and do a stank face, grit and funk and soul. I'm all in.

[@MochaPRBarbie]

All I have to say is Wow! I'm blown away.

[@loisjohnson-mead7304]

Just heard this on the pilot for HBO's LeftOvers.... this is amazing, rich, and elegant! Well done!

[@DernLud]

I love this song.. I was not expecting him to look like he does. His voice is heaven...

[@DavidRichardson95]

Daley and James Blake should do a collaboration together. I bet British R&B will dominate America once again.

[@bluehalo8604]

I second that, lol. That would be an epic collab sir.

[@DavidRichardson95]

Soul II Soul; Tears for Fears; Lisa Stansfield; Central Line; Junior; Billy Ocean; Beverley Knight; Fine Young Cannibals; Eternal; George Michael to name a few. Classic British R&B.

[@SSKMusicBeats]

You was right!!! lol

[@3rd_eyeairbrush]

That would be dope on all levels

[@florentincraineanu7848]

best live performance of the song

[@ointexas965]

Watching the Left Overs and heard this jam and had to Shazam it. Nice!

[@Mothica]

this gives me goosebumps

[@goldengal1989]

I love his voice!!

[@pashe01]

Pure and utter perfection.

[@completeunknown83]

I just wanna know what foundation he's using okay.. his skin is flawless. also james blake is a genius etc

[@mmmmrobbie]

just saw him in barcelona , outstanding favorite of the whole primavera festival

[@SuperMaoman]

Like a boss James !! Why can't i sing like you aaggghhh

[@TheFreshkidd310]

IRA!

[@TechnoEmanHDTV]

LEGEND. Nothing can touch this

[@AshleyReinaFit]

The best white soul singers from this generation come from Britain...Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sam Smith, James Blake

[@Narut0Kur0saki]

Julie NYC 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lizardlenny]

You can't blame another country for America's problems. I think you'll find Britain does not have anywhere near the problem of prejudice as the US does so somewhere along the line you have to start blaming yourselves.

[@shatzposter]

except for james blake, this list kinda suck.

[@poopalover]

Yeah shittynlidt list. unless you buy smash hits

[@lunairies]

@Julie NYC Wow no, no no no no nooope. That's a very ignorant comment to make. Britain has most absolutely definitely given its very large share of gross into the world with the colonisation of many many countries. Most countries have positive and negative contributions to the world. But do not think that because Britain has a decent role in general media that there is not more underneath that.

[@melanieweiber5486]

this guy... always flawless

[@djoowbe]

holy fucking shit!!!! i love this mann

[@teddy.yellowbuckets]

Such a beautiful voice

[@marvelandgroup]

These UK male artists never cease to amaze me. Real singers. Elton John George Michael Boy George Sam Smith Daley Leo Kalyan James Blake live sounds just like the CD

[@kimmykimko]

Omg those low notes get me!!! Hell yes! You got it dude! 2:09 is what makes me a woman.

[@fishmilk1026]

His voice is so fluid it's crazy. Amazing

[@ambianahooks2139]

I love James Blake his voice is like Magic OMG

[@jimblak1799]

because of leftovers, I'm now a fan of this song and maybe other ones he's sings too.

[@hauntedfantasy87]

I never get tired of this performance! James is magical !

[@LyddieR]

Obsessed!

[@setlasmon]

agreeeeeeed.. seeing him for the third time tonight!

[@GrandExtravagant]

yo this guy... Awesomeness!!!!

[@ElyYusuf354]

I'm feeling this.. He got it

[@gerrenx7]

I might even like this one more than the original one

[@Siran4228]

Christ this is the best I've heard him live on here. Richness. 😩😍

[@starlightegirl]

Omfg this sounds like something that should be played in movies when something super dramatic happens like war is started and it's like people signing papers and stuff (when it gets to the techno bit) Oh wait they did use it already, in izombie ☺️☺️

[@nathland12]

Used in a video game too, Tales From The Borderlands

[@TashirrK]

This performance is even better. This song relaxes me so much...

[@chatwithtisa]

Pure Talent, this is music! it touches your soul. I like his live performance more!

[@kemikalrxn]

Dat voice

[@arellispinelli84]

This is one if those artist that you never get tired of, loop the album for days, it's a " I'm tired of everything " kinda song . You'll never catch me not listening to it. I've had it on repeat for months now, this song is going on the cd I want played at my funeral.

[@cocoajo]

He's better than Sam Smith.

[@AlejandraRafa]

+cocoajo That goes without saying!

[@therealKINDLE]

Silence is better than Sam Smith.

[@theripepineapple8034]

Both are good

[@MrPaulWesthead]

the best comment hahah

[@wehttamsetneuf]

THAT'S the best comment fr

[@alexiamorrow7710]

When you find a treasure....... Thank you!! He not only has a beautiful voice but I can tell he listen's to a wide variety of music!! You can tell he absolutely love music, You listen to everything within the song!! Instrument's and beat's and all the added spice to enhance the sound!! Lovely

[@florigian5379]

This song literally comes on a few times a day at my work (RH). It was the first time I heard it and it is my new favorite song right now.

[@noshyosh]

killed it.

[@jasmineeeee433]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!

[@nickdabeast47]

Honestly when I first heard this song I thought he was black... He has an amazing voice; great range

[@sana0hk]

His voice is outta this world.