Rihanna returns today with “Lift Me Up,” the lead single off the forthcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Ri’s first new solo song in six years is a tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman, who played the title role in the 2018 blockbuster Black Panther and died of colon cancer in 2020. The inspirational ballad soared straight to No. 1 on the Genius Top Songs chart.
Ludwig Göransson, composer of the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever score, produced “Lift Me Up” and wrote the song with the film’s director and screenwriter, Ryan Coogler, alongside Nigerian superstar Tems and Rihanna herself. In a press release, Tems spoke about what inspired her lyrics.
“After 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,” Tems said. “I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them.”
“Lift Me Up” opens with the chorus. Over stately, ringing piano chords, Rihanna sings to a departed loved one in a way that suggests death is not the end. This person remains a very real part of her.
Lift me up
Hold me down
Keep me close
Safe and sound
In the first verse, Rihanna sings of “burning in a hopeless dream.” She still longs for the protection of this person who’s left her too soon.
Hold me when you go to sleep
Keep me in the warmth of your love
When you depart, keep me safe
Safe and sound
The second verse is similar to the first, in that Rihanna needs this eternal love to counteract the harsh realities of the world.
Drowning in an endless sea
Take some time and stay with me
Rihanna ends the third verse with a lyric that also surfaces in the final chorus. “Lift Me Up” is obviously about Boseman and the tremendous impact he made, but the song also functions as a plea for hope and understanding at a time of tremendous global upheaval.
Keep me safe
We need light, we need love
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By arrives November 4, and the film follows a week later, on November 11. You can read all the lyrics to “Lift Me Up” on Genius now.
