"Head Above Water" - Avril Lavigne (Song Review)

"I've gotta keep the calm before the storm

I don't want less, I don't want more"

I really love the 2019 single "Head Above Water" released by Avril Lavigne. One of the reasons I like it so much is because of the hidden story behind the story. Avril was diagnosed with Lyme disease which is a hard thing for a lot of people to understand. 3 years ago an ABC interview was conducted where Avril completely broke down talking about how she was bedridden, had to put her life and career on hold, seeing specialist after specialist and being given the run-around. I really can't imagine how it feels to be successful, the world at your back, ready to take your life any direction you want it, but even that's not enough when something out of your control happens and now everything changes. That's not an easy thing to deal with. These are the things you have to look at through the lens of a celebrity.

Avril, despite being a raging punk rockstar, was raised a Christian in her early life. Actually, the first time her mother discovered she could sing is when she sang "Jesus Loves Me" on the way home from church when she was only 2. That's just the kind of story you hear in a vanilla Christian parenting blogsite, but it holds a certain weight to this particular story. God.

God is without a doubt the big theme surrounding the song "Head Above Water", as if not only is the song a cry for help, a desperation plea to stay alive under the ordinance of some higher power, but a callback to when she was younger, when I can imagine life was simpler for her, before the stardom and fame and 2000s trends, when she was just a church girl only beginning to tap into her vocal talent. A nostalgia-inspired song.

I feel the exact same vibes when I listen to "Head Above Water", which musically is a powerful, invigorating, electric, and emotional song all at once with arguably Avril's best vocals recorded ever and an incredible range of pitches you don't see anybody perform in pop music much anymore. The violin, piano, drums, everything insinuates a strong, strong melody that inspires so much emotion and peace of mind.

"God keep my head above water

Don't let me drown, it gets harder"

But far more important than that, is the recovery-inspired aspect of this song. I once heard that recover is the most badass thing a person can do, and damn do I sure believe that's correct.

It's remarkable how much her story parallels that of Kesha, another pop star around at the same time as her, who recently filed a charge for sexual assault against Dr. Luke, a fellow producer, losing a court battle to end her contract, and coming back a few years later with a hit song "Praying" that was also God-inspired but deeply highlight how she would overcome this trial period in her life.

In an interview, she described the symptoms of lyme disease, which include loss of breath. She said she had trouble breathing, as if she were underwater.

It's hard for anyone to just accept that you're dying, but even harder for someone who has so much more to give up.

Avril is scared, she's still young. Only 34, 30 when she was diagnosed. That's where the weight hits you when she speaks of being too young to 'fall asleep'.

"I’ll be waiting

I’m too young to fall asleep"

It's heavy, symbolic, and incredibly poetic. The music video in itself evokes so much emotion, tranquility, and even beauty. The black sand beach, the falling of the waves, the lantern Avril holds across her body. It just took me away, I felt amazed. This may be one of the last musical gems we have left for the 2010s as a decade.

"And I can’t swim in the ocean like this forever

And I can’t breathe"

Sources:

Women's Health

Biography

"Head Above Water"