After six long, long years, Rihanna is back with new music, and the internet already can’t handle it. Fans’ suspicion was already brewing when she was announced to be the headliner for the 2023 Super Bowl half time show (though, of course, fans are joking that it’s still possible for her performance to just be a Fenty demonstration), and Rihanna confirmed the rumors that she’s returning to music with an Instagram post on Oct. 26. The song finally dropped on Oct. 28, and “Lift Me Up” is already a tearjerker — in fact, it’s been confirmed that the song is a tribute to Chadwick Boseman, the late Black Panther star.
“Lift Me Up” is part of the soundtrack for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The movie’s official Twitter account had also teased the song before Rihanna’s confirmation, posting a video of the movie’s logo that shifted to reveal the letter R. Now that the song is out, however, let’s take a look at the touching lyrics.
According to BBC, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler said about the song, “Honestly, I think it was Chad. … A lot of improbable things needed to happen for it to come through and Rihanna was very clear that she did that for him.” Boseman passed away in 2020 due to complications related to colon cancer, which came as a shock to many fans and friends of his since he was very private about his personal life and didn’t share details about his condition. The Black Panther cast has continued to honor him and his legacy, including at the premiere of Wakanda Forever on Oct. 26.
The chorus of “Lift Me Up” is simple but powerful. Rihanna sings, “Lift me up / Hold me down / Keep me close / Safe and sound.” With Wakanda Forever likely focusing on Boseman’s legacy after he’s gone — with a prominent fan theory that his character T’Challa’s younger sister Shuri (played by Letitia Wright) will be taking over the mantle as the Black Panther — this chorus could be a message asking Boseman and his memory for strength in dealing with grief.
The verses similarly contain lyrics about “Burning in a hopeless dream” and “Drowning in an endless sea,” which could be metaphors for grief. Rihanna sings, “When you depart, keep me safe,” likely referencing Boseman’s (and subsequently T’Challa’s) death.
The song also ends on the touching sentiment, “We need light, we need love.” In the wake of Boseman’s passing, many were shocked and heartbroken because of how Boseman spread love and light, especially as the first Black superhero to get his own film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (or any superhero franchise). With Wakanda Forever grappling with Boseman’s legacy, it’s fitting that this tribute to him would similarly emphasize love and light.
“Lift Me Up” will not be Rihanna’s only contribution to Wakanda Forever — in fact, she’ll have two songs in the movie, with both playing during the end credits, according to Polygon. Only time will tell what this next song sounds like and what it’s about, but for now, I’ll keep listening to “Lift Me Up” on repeat.