According to songwriter Bibi Bourelly, “Higher” was written in only 20 minutes. She spoke to Vice about the song:
Everything happens for a reason. Working with Rihanna has changed my life. The 20 minutes it took me to write “Higher” is actually what changed my life, because, even though we wrote “...
[Verse]
This whiskey got me feelin' pretty
So pardon if I'm impolite
I just really need your ass with me
I'm sorry 'bout the other night
And I know I could be more creative
And come up with poetic lines
But I'm turnt up upstairs and I love you
Is the only thing that's in my mind
[Chorus]
You take me higher, higher than I've ever been, babe
Just come over, let's pour a drink, babe
I hope I ain't calling you too late, too late
You light my fire
Let's stay up late and smoke a J
I wanna go back to the old way
But I'm drunk instead, with a full ashtray
With a little bit too much to say
Higher was written by Hit-Boy & James Fauntleroy & MIKE DEAN & The-Dream & Bibi Bourelly & No I.D. & Rihanna.
Higher was produced by No I.D. & Kuk Harrell.
Rihanna told Vogue in March 2016:
We recorded that song at 4:00 in the morning. 4:00 to 5:00. We had finished recording a bunch of stuff, and it was the end of the night. It was pretty short. We just said, ‘You know what? Let’s just drink some whiskey and record this song.’ And when I heard the son...
Bourelly told Vice:
Working with Rihanna has changed my life. The 20 minutes it took me to write ‘Higher’ is actually what changed my life, because, even though we wrote ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’ first, she heard that one first.