"Head Up High" is a song by Danish singer-songwriter Oh Land, taken from her fourth studio album Earth Sick (2014). It was released as the album's lead single on 14 October 2014 through Tusk or Tooth Records. The single was written and produced solely by Oh Land. In order to record both the song and the parent album, the singer relied on donations from fans to a PledgeMusic campaign she created. Described as a dance-pop recording, "Head Up High" originated as a song written for a close friend of Oh Land who was having relationship issues. Noted as a standout track on Earth Sick, "Head Up High" received praise from music critics. Other reviewers noted that the single was interesting and uplifting. An accompanying music video for the track was released onto her Vevo account in October 2014. It was directed by Duncan Winecoff and features Oh Land dancing and singing in a dark studio. A live performance of "Head Up High" was also uploaded onto her Vevo account in March 2015. Background and writing In early 2014, Oh Land announced plans to record a fourth studio album in her own New York City apartment in an attempt to "return to her roots". Relying on funding from herself and fans, she set up a PledgeMusic campaign in order to begin work on the project. In exchange, those who donated to the fund would receive autographed CD copies of the then-upcoming album, merchandise such as tote bags and prior albums, and tickets to see an interview with the singer. Oh Land recorded "Head Up High" at her home studio in 2014. She then released the song as the lead single from Earth Sick on 14 October 2014. On 3 March 2015, Tusk or Tooth Records released a digital EP with six remixes of "Head Up High" produced by MS MR, Penguin Prison, CSS, Lauren Flax, and Mercury. Oh Land described CSS's remix as "more club and minimal" and compared its sound to the music of the 1980s. Reflecting on all six of the remixes, Oh Land claimed that she only asked musicians that she "really admire[s]" to create the mixes. She then stated that she enjoyed listening to what the different musicians could create from her music. Composition and lyrics "Head Up High" was solely written and produced Oh Land. Tore Nissen, who served as a co-producer on Earth Sick, also