"Head Above Water" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne from her sixth studio album of the same name (2019).

On September 6, Lavigne posted a lengthy letter to her fans on her website detailing her struggle with Lyme disease in the past few years and how she overcame it.

She explained she started writing the song during a tough time battling Lyme disease a few years prior, thinking her life was over.

Marina Pedrosa of Billboard wrote that "Head Above Water" "is a powerful, spiritual epiphany detailing the Canadian singer's journey through her battle with Lyme disease.

Murray described the song's lyrics and production in detail: "Now, we've never been 100% behind Avril Lavigne's music, but we can't help but be touched by the way she's approached what must be an enormously challenging situation.

[10] Madeline Roth of MTV Canada named "Head Above Water" an "emotionally charged comeback".

Roth was impressed with the fact that the song wasn't "just metaphorical", because "it documents a culminating moment in Lavigne's years-long struggle with Lyme disease".

[11] Katherine Gillespie from Paper wrote that "Head Above Water" is a "heavy piano ballad about just that: trying to stay alive.

"[12] Lindsay Elizabeth of Faithwire gave the song a positive review, calling it a "powerful worship ballad".

Elizabeth further praised that "Lavigne details her relationship with God, and how He saved her when she thought she was at the end of her life.

[3] Directed by Elliott Lester,[16][17] the official music video for "Head Above Water" was released on September 27, 2018, to coincide with Lavigne's 34th birthday.

[18] The music video ends with a message to join Lavigne's namesake foundation, which supports Lyme disease prevention, treatment and research.

The video features Lavigne walking on a misty, rocky beach in Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland.

[21] On November 19, Lavigne performed the song on Dancing with the Stars (The Finale) for Alexis & Alan's freestyle.

[23] Lavigne also performed the single on Japanese morning show Sukkiri on April 2, 2019[24] and among a medley during 2019 Radio Disney Music Awards on June 16, 2019.