I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. The latter spoke about the meaning and creative process of the song: Īfter speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. The song was written by Rihanna, Göransson, Ryan Coogler and Tems. Produced by Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, who composed the movie's score, the song acts as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who played T'Challa, the titular protagonist in Black Panther Boseman died on August 28, 2020.
Composition Īccording to Clash, "Lift Me Up" is an "emotive" R&B ballad that "speaks from the heart".
On October 26, Rihanna announced her first solo single release since " Love on the Brain" (2016), with "Lift Me Up", which would be appearing on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By, the soundtrack album to the eponymous 2022 film. In addition to "Lift Me Up", Rihanna recorded the track "Born Again". On October 18, 2022, it was confirmed that the singer has recorded two songs for the soundtrack of the Marvel Studios film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to Black Panther (2018). Following the birth of the singer's first child on May 13, 2022, Rihanna said she was working on new record material. In 2017, Rihanna took an extended hiatus from music after the release of her eighth studio album Anti (2016) and several collaborations, including " Wild Thoughts" with DJ Khaled, " Lemon" with N.E.R.D., " Loyalty" with Kendrick Lamar, and her latest collaboration, " Believe It", with PartyNextDoor. Rihanna performed "Lift Me Up" for the first time at the 95th Academy Awards. American cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw directed the music video, which sees Rihanna on an empty beach interspersed with short scenes from the film. It was certified platinum by Music Canada, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP), and silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). "Lift Me Up" reached number one in Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, and South Africa, number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, top five in Australia, the United Kingdom, France and the top ten in various other countries. The song has also won 4 awards so far, including Best Original Song in a Feature Film at the 13th Hollywood Music in Media Awards and Best Song at the 2023 African-American Film Critics Association. It received various film awards nominations, including Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards and Best Original Song at the 80th Golden Globe Awards. Music critics were divided on the song some praised Rihanna's vocals, but others labeled the song's lyrics and the production generic. An R&B ballad, "Lift Me Up" was written and produced by Ludwig Göransson, with additional writing from Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Nigerian singer Tems. The song marks Rihanna's first solo music output since her 2016 studio album, Anti. It was released on October 28, 2022, by Westbury Road, Roc Nation, Def Jam, and Hollywood Records, as the lead single from the soundtrack album of the 2022 superhero film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. " Lift Me Up" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna. įrom the album Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By
Two alternative digital single covers for "Lift Me Up" were also released.