Rihanna didn't just drop a song. She ended an era of waiting.
When the credits rolled for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the theater stayed silent. It wasn’t just because the movie was a heavy, emotional tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. It was that voice. After six years of focusing on Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, Rihanna returned with a lullaby that felt like a collective exhale for a grieving world. The lyrics for Lift Me Up aren't complex. They aren't trying to be a chart-topping club banger with intricate wordplay or aggressive beats. Instead, they’re stripped back, raw, and surprisingly short.
Honestly, the simplicity is what makes it work.
If you look at the tracklist for the Wakanda Forever soundtrack, this song stands out as the anchor. It was co-written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna herself, and the film's director, Ryan Coogler. Tems actually mentioned in interviews that she wanted to write something that felt like a warm embrace for all the people she’s lost in her life. You can feel that. It’s a prayer.
The Deep Meaning Behind the Simple Words
"Lift me up / Hold me down / Keep me close / Safe and sound."
Those opening lines set the tone immediately. In the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, specifically the loss of King Tcha’lla, these words are a direct plea. They reflect the stage of grief where you just want to feel the presence of the person who’s gone. But outside of the movie, it’s a universal sentiment.
The repetition is intentional. In musicology, this is often used to create a meditative state. Rihanna’s delivery is breathy and careful. She isn't belting like she did on "Love on the Brain." She’s whispering. This shift in her vocal style caught a lot of fans off guard. Some critics initially called it "too simple," but they sorta missed the point. You don't scream a funeral march; you hum it.
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Who Really Wrote the Song?
There’s a bit of a misconception that Rihanna just showed up and sang what was put in front of her. That's not how this went down. Ryan Coogler was deeply involved in the lyrical direction because the song needed to bridge the gap between our world and the fictional Wakanda.
Tems, the Nigerian sensation who has been dominating the global R&B scene, was the primary lyrical architect. She spoke about how she tried to imagine what it would feel like if she could sing to someone she loved one last time. When Rihanna heard the demo, she connected with it as a new mother. She had just given birth to her first son, RZA, a few months prior. That perspective changed the "Lift me up" meaning from just a song about death to a song about the cycle of life—the literal lifting of a child and the metaphorical lifting of a fallen hero.
Breaking Down the Second Verse
"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."
This part gets interesting. The "hopeless dream" line is likely a nod to the restless nights that come with mourning. It's a vivid image. It contrasts the "warmth of love" with the cold reality of departure.
Musically, the song is backed by a soft string section and a solo cello. Ludwig Göransson, who is basically a genius when it comes to blending traditional African sounds with orchestral arrangements, kept the production minimal. He didn't want anything to distract from the lyrics for Lift Me Up. He recorded parts of the soundtrack in Lagos, London, and Los Angeles to get that global, timeless feel.
The Impact on the Charts and the Oscars
The song was a massive commercial success, but it was also a critical darling. It earned Rihanna her first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. She performed it at the 95th Oscars, and even without the high-tech stages of her Super Bowl Halftime show, it stole the night.
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Why? Because it’s authentic.
People are tired of over-processed pop. They wanted something that felt human. The lyrics for Lift Me Up provided that. The song debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, which is wild for a ballad that has zero "radio-friendly" drums. It proved that Rihanna’s star power hadn't dimmed a bit during her hiatus. If anything, the anticipation made the payoff even sweeter.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Tribute
A lot of listeners think the song is only about Chadwick Boseman. While he was the primary inspiration, the writers have clarified it's a broader tribute to ancestors. In African cultures, the connection between the living and the dead is a central theme. The lyrics reflect the idea that those who have passed are still "holding us down" (protecting us) from the other side.
It’s about legacy.
When you hear Rihanna sing "Keep me safe," she isn't just asking for physical protection. She’s asking for her memory and the memories of those she loves to be preserved. It’s a heavy burden for a four-minute song, but it carries it well.
Comparing "Lift Me Up" to "Born Again"
On the same soundtrack, Rihanna had another track called "Born Again." While "Lift Me Up" got all the glory, "Born Again" is arguably more intense. It deals with the struggle of moving on. However, "Lift Me Up" remains the definitive track of that era because of its accessibility. Anyone can sing those four lines. Anyone can feel that "safe and sound" sentiment.
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It’s rare for a movie tie-in song to become a staple at both funerals and lullabies, but here we are.
How to Truly Appreciate the Track
To get the most out of the lyrics for Lift Me Up, you really have to listen to the instrumental version first. Notice how the strings swell right when Rihanna sings "Safe and sound." That’s not an accident. The music is designed to mimic a heartbeat.
If you’re trying to learn the song or analyze it for a project, look at the phrasing. Notice how she lingers on the word "close." It’s almost like she doesn't want to let the word go. That’s the "human-quality" that AI or a less experienced singer just can’t replicate. It’s the slight crack in the voice, the intake of breath, the silence between the notes.
What’s Next for Rihanna’s Music?
Since the release of this track, the world has been hungry for R9 (the rumored ninth studio album). While "Lift Me Up" was a soundtrack single, it served as a "proof of life" for Rihanna the singer. It showed she hasn't lost her touch for emotional storytelling. Whether her next project is dancehall, pop, or more soulful ballads like this one, the bar has been set incredibly high.
The song reminds us that sometimes, the best way to say something big is to use very few words.
Actionable Insights for Music Lovers and Creators:
- Study the Power of Simplicity: If you’re a songwriter, analyze how Tems used only a few recurring phrases to create a massive emotional impact. You don't always need a thesaurus to write a hit.
- Vocal Dynamics Matter: Listen to the track with high-quality headphones. Focus on Rihanna's "head voice" versus her "chest voice." Notice how she uses a softer tone to convey vulnerability—a technique you can use in public speaking or singing to build intimacy.
- Contextualize Your Art: Understand that the lyrics for Lift Me Up work because of the story behind them. When creating anything, whether a song or a blog post, the "why" is just as important as the "what."
- Support the Creators: Check out the rest of the Wakanda Forever soundtrack to see how Ludwig Göransson integrates various cultural influences. It’s a masterclass in global music production.
- Reflect on the Themes: Use the song as a starting point for journaling about your own support systems—who "lifts you up" and who you "hold down" in your own life.