Peak
2
Weeks
20
Score
2,610
Chart Year
2022
"Lift Me Up" is an emotional ballad about reconnecting with a departed loved one. Over regal piano chords, Rihanna sings to her lost beloved, asking for their protection against life's harsh realities. Lift me up Hold me down Keep me close Safe and sound Rihanna recorded "Lift Me Up" for the soundtrack of the Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The song is also a tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 of colon cancer. Chadwick played King T'Challa, the protagonist in the original 2018 Black Panther film. Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems wrote the stirring song alongside Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, and Rihanna. "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 explained. "I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them." Ludwig Göransson, who wrote the score for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, also produced this sparse percussion-less ballad. Rihanna's own Westbury Road label released "Lift Me Up" in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings and Hollywood Records as the lead single from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack on October 28, 2022. The song marked RiRi's first solo musical output since 2016, so it was a huge coup for the Black Panther franchise. Rihanna was Coogler's first choice for the soundtrack, in part because she became a mother in May 2022. "We knew she was at a point in her life as well where she was focusing on different things - focused on business, motherhood, which is a big theme in our film," he said. "We were holding out hope that maybe it could work out and boy did it for this song." The Autumn Durald Arkapaw-directed video depicts Rihanna strolling along an empty beach at sunset interspersed with brief scenes from the film. American cinematographer Durald Arkapaw was director of photography on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Lift me up Hold me down Keep me close Safe and sound Burning in a hopeless dream Hold me when you go to sleep Keep me in the warmth of your love When you depart keep me safe Safe and sound Lift me up Hold me down Keep me close Safe and sound Drowning in an endless sea Take some time and stay with me Keep me in the strength of your arms Keep me safe Safe and sound Lift me up Hold me down Keep me safe Safe and sound Burning in a hopeless dream Hold me when you go to sleep Keep me safe We need light we need love Lift me up in your arms I need love I need love I need love Hold me hold me Hold me hold me hold me hold me Hold me hold me hold me hold me Hold me hold me We need light we need love
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 12, 2022 | 2 | 124 |
| 2 | Nov 19, 2022 | 22 | 104 |
| 3 | Nov 26, 2022 | 8 | 118 |
| 4 | Dec 3, 2022 | 11 | 115 |
| 5 | Dec 10, 2022 | 22 | 104 |
| 6 | Dec 17, 2022 | 35 | 91 |
| 7 | Dec 24, 2022 | 51 | 75 |
| 8 | Dec 31, 2022 | 57 | 69 |
| 9 | Jan 7, 2023 | 57 | 69 |
| 10 | Jan 14, 2023 | 25 | 101 |
| 11 | Jan 21, 2023 | 24 | 102 |
| 12 | Jan 28, 2023 | 39 | 87 |
| 13 | Feb 4, 2023 | 44 | 82 |
| 14 | Feb 11, 2023 | 51 | 75 |
| 15 | Feb 18, 2023 | 52 | 74 |
| 16 | Feb 25, 2023 | 41 | 85 |
| 17 | Mar 4, 2023 | 52 | 74 |
| 18 | Mar 11, 2023 | 65 | 61 |
| 19 | Mar 18, 2023 | 98 | 28 |
| 20 | Mar 25, 2023 | 72 | 54 |