Songfacts®:

• "Astronaut" takes us on an emotional ride through the heartbreak and sting of rejection post-breakup. Griff employs the language of space travel to capture the feelings of abandonment. "I wrote 'Astronaut' about the idea of being left behind," said Griff. "In young relationships, when someone needs time to figure out and find themselves without you, it hurts because you're left wondering what about yourself wasn't enough for them."
• Conceived in a solitary Airbnb setting, "Astronaut" underwent a transformative phase during Griff's stint as a supporting act on Coldplay's tour. Striking up a musical exchange with band frontman Chris Martin, Griff shared a demo of the song. Martin's insightful suggestion of a stripped-down and slowed-down approach resonated with Griff, prompting her to invite Martin to collaborate in the studio a few days later. Together, they reimagined the song with Martin working his magic on the piano.
• Griff co-produced "Astronaut" with:
  
  North London producer Sam Tsang. Their other collaborations include Griff's "Head On Fire" and "Vertigo."
  
  Bill Rahko, a seasoned producer who has worked with Coldplay for many years and is no stranger to creating music inspired by space travelers. In 2022, he co-produced Coldplay's single with K-Pop star Jin, "The Astronaut."
• The song is included on Vertigo Vol. 1, the reissue of Griff's Vertigo EP. "'Astronaut' completes Vol 1 as my most dark and insular songs," said Griff, "and this one is a story of not being able to make someone stay, and being left in the remains of what you thought was a special and real thing."
• The song is based on direct experience. "I think a lot of relationships can feel like that, Griff told The Guardian. "Especially as a young girl, you're there to give your heart and soul, and sometimes it's not reciprocated."