He sings everything with powerful emotion. I watched your reaction to Monsters too. That wrecked me for days. I think that’s where he got your attention. Good stuff mama.
I think James once said the song was based on one of his own earlier experiences. I reckon a very similar thing must have happened to loads of people at one time in their lives, I know it did for me too about 40 years ago, and I can still remember her face to this day.
If you on e.g. a bridge or beach finds that someone has taken out of their pockets, lined up the contents, neatly folded their clothes, it is a warning of a suicide.