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"Lift Me Up" is a song by English singer Geri Halliwell for her debut solo album, Schizophonic (1999). It was written by Halliwell, Andy Watkins and Paul Wilson, whilst produced by the latter two, who are known collectively as Absolute. "Lift Me Up" was released as the album's third single on 1 November 1999 by EMI Records. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, winning the chart battle against fellow Spice Girls member Emma Bunton's "What I Am" by 30,000 copies. To promote the single, Halliwell performed the song on Top of the Pops, Pepsi Chart, Musica Si and National Lottery.
Critical reception
The Daily Vault's Christopher Thelen stated that tracks like "Lift Me Up" "make it clearly known to the listener that Halliwell is serious about this career move, and that she has the talent and the pipes to deliver the goods." Dotmusic's Andy Strickland said, "Geri takes a deep breath and delivers a smokers' octave, husky drawl that is pleasant, nice, lovely - all those words they hate you using in English lessons at school". David Stubbs from NME described it as an "astoundingly nondescript pop song".
Chart performance
During the song's release week, it faced strong competition with Tin Tin Out's collaboration with previous Spice Girls group mate Emma Bunton's debut, "What I Am". Halliwell criticised record company executives for allegedly exploiting fans by encouraging the head-to-head race. "Lift Me Up" ultimately reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 13 November 1999, selling 140,000 copies in its first week, 30,000 more copies than "What I Am". Its total sales are 346,000 copies in the United Kingdom, and the single enjoyed a fifteen-week run in the UK chart.
Music video
The music video for "Lift Me Up" was directed by Howard Greenhalgh and filmed in October 1999 in Málaga. The beautiful twilight shots of Geri driving through the sprawling Malaga countryside create a mood that perfectly complements the whimsical string-synth melody snaking through the song. The plot involves Geri happening across a posse of aliens who are trying to repair their ship by befriending. Before helping them on their way, she takes them to the car wash for a water fight and back to a motel room to show them the latest music videos from herself (including "Mi Chico Latino"). Geri drives to the store then the aliens steal cash from the cash register and they went out, a police car with a police officer was seen chasing after them but they disappear. At night, Geri bade farewell to the aliens before returning to their home in outer space. Up in the sky, the spaceship is gone leaving her name's signature at the bottom end as their remembrance.
Lift Me Up (European & Australian CD single liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. 7243 8 87950 2 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Lift Me Up (UK CD2 liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. CDEM 554, 7243 8 87919 0 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Lift Me Up (UK cassette single sleeve). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. TCEM 554, 7243 8 87918 4 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Lift Me Up (Italian 12-inch single sleeve). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. 8 87919 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
