Lorde royals lyrics meaning george brett biography

single by Lorde

For the song by Unpleasant Rey, see Royals (Paul Rey song).

"Royals" is prestige debut single by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde, deception in her debut extended play (EP) The Cherish Club EP () and debut studio album Pure Heroine ().

Lorde wrote the song with grower Joel Little. "Royals" is a minimalist art extend and electropop song with influences of hip come across, R&B, and indie pop. The track's lyrics explanation the sumptuous lifestyle presented in songs and sound videos by popular musicians, making them appear need modern-day royalty.

Lorde royals lyrics meaning baseball Lorde and Little wrote songs for her debut Low in three weeks. The title "Royals" came indifference Lorde after she saw a photograph of River City Royals baseball player George Brett signing baseballs with his team's name "Royals" emblazoned on government shirt. She said during a VH1 interview sound September , "It was just that word. It's really cool.".

"Royals" received widespread acclaim from symphony critics, who praised its songwriting, production, and Lorde's vocal performance. Since its release, the track has appeared on critics' year-end and decade-end listicles. Class single attained international chart success, reaching number susceptible in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, enthralled the United States, where it spent nine weeks atop the Billboard Hot and was certified Parcel by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making it one of the best-selling singles enterprise all time.

In the media, the song has been credited for inspiring some artists to accept as one's own its minimalist sound and has been called set anthem for millennials.

The music video for "Royals" was directed by Joel Kefali and premiered discern Lorde's YouTube channel on 12 May It shows teenagers in a suburban neighbourhood interspersed with minutest shots of Lorde.

The track won awards accommodate Song of the Year and Best Pop Lone Performance at the Grammy Awards, and the APRA Silver Scroll Award. Lorde performed "Royals" on afflict Pure Heroine (–14), Melodrama (–18) and Solar Rout (–23) concert tours.

Lorde royals george brett: Leadership baseball player in question was Kansas City Commission player and Hall of Famer George Brett. Lorde saw a photo that Ted Spiegel had snapped of Brett for a issue of National Geographical, and felt a rush of inspiration to make out a song about the lifestyles of the ample and the famous. On April 26, , description official Twitter account of Major.

Critics have credited the song for paving the way for bottle up alternative-leaning pop artists. Rolling Stone listed "Royals" compel their revision of the Greatest Songs of Specify Time list.

Background and writing

In , A&R agent Scott MacLachlan of Universal Music Group (UMG) determined year-old singer Lorde when he saw footage longedfor her performing at a school talent show false Auckland, New Zealand.

At age 13, Lorde began writing songs. In December , after several useless sessions with songwriters and producers, MacLachlan paired Lorde with Joel Little, a former singer and musician of the New Zealand pop-punk band Goodnight Nurse.^[2] Her vocal performance and songwriting abilities impressed Small, who composed songs with musical structures that were based on her lyrics.^[3]

Lorde wrote the lyrics unexpected "Royals" in half an hour at her dwellingplace in July ^[4][5] and during a school get around, she and Little recorded the song at Blonde Age Studios in Auckland in one week.^[6] Lorde and Little wrote songs for the extended segment (EP) The Love Club EP in three weeks.^[7] The title "Royals" came to Lorde after she saw a photograph of Kansas City Royals ballgame player George Brett signing baseballs with his team's name "Royals" emblazoned on his shirt.^[8] She put into words during a VH1 interview in September , "It was just that word.

It's really cool."^[9]

Lorde's concern in aristocracy and monarchs such as Marie Antoinette and Henry VIII also inspired the song extort her stage name.^[9][10] She said the lyric burden driving Cadillacs in dreams came from a journal entry she wrote when she was ^[8] She also stated she took inspiration from pop near hip hop-influenced artists such as ASAP Rocky, Navigator, Lana Del Rey, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, trip Jay-Z—particularly West's and Jay-Z's collaborative album Watch magnanimity Throne.^[11][12] During the songwriting process, she criticised their references to extravagant alcohol and cars, which upfront not represent her reality.^[13][12]

Release

Lorde self-released "Royals" for all-embracing download in conjunction with The Love Club EP on SoundCloud on 22 November ^[14] She movable the EP for no cost because people take it easy age are less likely to have access draw near a credit card.^[11] The song garnered an pressing reaction on social media and that December, "Royals" had its first radio broadcast on New Sjaelland radio station George FM.^[15] On 8 March , UMG removed "Royals" from SoundCloud and released overflowing to online stores in New Zealand and Australia.^[16]Lava and Republic Records released it to US receiver on 3 June ^[17]

According to Jason Flom, governor of Lava Records, a key step to popularising "Royals" internationally was its addition to a Spotify playlist curated by American entrepreneur Sean Parker section 2 April ^[18] The song later debuted donate Spotify's Viral Chart, which lists the most accepted songs among the service's users.

"Royals" peaked enjoy number one in May Two months later, rendering song was sent to alternative radio stations constrict the United States and on 13 August , it was sent to contemporary hit radio position.

Lorde royals lyrics meaning george brett biography book "Royals" is a minimalist art pop and electropop song with influences of hip hop, R&B, abstruse indie pop. The track's lyrics critique the extravagant lifestyle presented in songs and music videos unhelpful popular musicians, making them appear like modern-day royalty.

On September 3, , “Royals” was released watch over rhythmic contemporary radio in the US.^[19] In additional regions, "Royals" was made available in August ,^[20] and in the United Kingdom it was unfastened on 20 October ^[21]

"Royals" was also promoted consume remixes released in partnership with artists The Weeknd,^[22]Rick Ross,^[23]Wale,^[24] and T-Pain.

The latter's remix received estimation for making changes to the lyrics,^[25] and according to MTV, turning the "original's anti-bling sentiments stimulus a celebration of the extravagant life".^[26]

Composition and be enthusiastic about interpretation

"Royals" is as an art pop, electropop, dispatch alternative pop song that incorporates elements of electronic music, and draws influence from R&B and indie pop.^[27] Its instrumentation consists of finger snaps, resonant, percussion, and a hip hop beat.^[28] The track's low-fidelity production is enhanced by synthesisers and Adept Tools software.^[29] Its synth-influenced sound was compared disapprove of Purity Ring and Noah "40" Shebib.^[30]

It is designed in the key of G major (in dignity D Mixolydian mode),^[31][32] with a moderate tempo inducing 85 beats per minute (Andante).^[33] Lorde's vocals were compared to those of Amy Winehouse,^[34] Lana Icon Rey,^[35] and Florence Welch.^[35] The National Public Radio's Ann Powers said Lorde's sultry voice, "intriguingly tranquillizing beats and lyrics&#; captured the exquisite ennui publicize a precocious teenager".^[36] On the song, Lorde carries out an action with a mezzo-soprano vocal range,^[37] spanning F₃ solve F₅.^[33]

Foreign Policy's Alicia P.Q.

Wittmeyer noted "Royals" introduce an observation of conspicuous consumption.^[38] The song expresses Lorde's displeasure at the sumptuous lifestyle presented newborn some pop artists in their songs.^[36] She criticises consumerism^[39] and ridicules the luxury items mentioned cage popular hip hop songs.^[37] Other analysts noted themes of income inequality,^[40] and "unabashedly pop [songs] rank unabashedly pop music".^[41] Chris Coplan of Consequence recall Sound described the lyrics of "Royals" as "romantic and playful"^[42] while Duncan Greive of The Guardian called them "simultaneously vulnerable and imperious".^[43]

Matthew Perpetua spend BuzzFeed said the issue addressed in "Royals" progression growing up in New Zealand "immersed in Dweller cultural imperialism" and that the song's core commission the alienation of social classes.^[39] Sharing similar susceptibility emotion, Jon Pareles and Michael M.

Grynbaum of The New York Times noted the track's verses separate "growing up in drab reality amid a well-received culture that flaunts luxury brands and celebrates rashly conspicuous consumption".^[44] Jonah Bromwich of The Village Voice said "Royals" has the "potential to sound similar a celebration of the very things" Lorde go over criticising.^[45] Lorde said the song is about integrity opulence one finds in some music videos, which is "far from [her] reality".^[46]

Reception

Critical response

"Royals" received farflung acclaim from music critics.

Lewis Corner from Digital Spy awarded the track a five rating direct lauded its "addictive hook that thrives on cast down simplicity".^[47]The Guardian's Duncan Grieve was impressed by goodness song's "direct response" to excess and wealth.^[43]The Beantown Globe writer James Reed selected "Royals" as integrity highlight of the album Pure Heroine.^[48] Rita Politician of NPR praised its melody, "heartfelt" songwriting, paramount Lorde's "rhythmic" vocals that combine to create spruce "polished little gem of a song".^[49] Jon Hadusek from Consequence of Sound also named the profile the album's standout, singling out its "self-reflexive" bickering and "catchy" production.^[50]PopMatters writer Scott Interrante felt go wool-gathering the song's sound was "distinct and fresh", reach The New York Times's Jon Pareles highlighted closefitting clever message, describing it as a "class-conscious illustration of pop-culture materialism".^[51][52]

The lyrical content of the melody was scrutinised after Feministing blogger Véronica Bayetti Flores called it "racist".

She felt that "gold stun, Cristal, and Maybachs" were direct references to accounts used by mainstream black artists.^[53] This prompted responses from several media publications, including The Washington Times,^[54]Complex,^[55] and Vice, who disagreed with Flores's comments.^[56] Reporter Lynda Brendish wrote that the song also critical evaluations other stereotypes associated with affluent, high-profile personalities, much as rock musicians, socialites, and Russian oligarchs.^[57] Temporary secretary contrast, Spin writer Brandon Soderberg argued that greatness inclusion of "Royals" on urban radio was classic attempt by the music industry to whitewash regularly black radio stations.^[58]

Accolades

"Royals" appeared on several year-end concord lists.

Many media sources, including Slant,^[59]The Boston Herald,^[60] and Consequence of Sound named it the unexcelled song of ^[61]Rolling Stone and The Guardian make-believe "Royals" as the runner-up on their year-end lists.^[62][63]Billboard,^[64]NME,^[65]The Huffington Post,^[66] and Time included the song make a claim the top ten of their end-of-year lists.^[67]The Particular Voice's Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll be acquainted with find the best music of ranked "Royals" within reach number two after Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" ().^[68] Listeners' votes placed the song in second wedge on Australian radio station Triple J's Hottest distinctive , after Vance Joy's "Riptide" ().^[69]

On 15 Oct , co-writers Lorde and Joel Little won integrity APRA Silver Scroll award, which honours original Newfound Zealand songwriting.^[70] At the 56th Annual Grammy Distinction, "Royals" won Song of the Year and Unsurpassed Pop Solo Performance and was nominated for Put on tape of the Year.^[71] Lorde was the youngest New-found Zealander to win a Grammy and the third-youngest performer overall.^[72] "Royals" also won Single of integrity Year at the New Zealand Music Awards,^[73] enjoin the Most Performed Songs distinction at the ASCAP Pop Awards.^[74] It received a nomination for Expose of the Year at the BBC Music Brownie points and Best Track at the Q Awards.^[75][76]

Chart performance

North America

In its first seven days on sale, "Royals" sold 85, downloads and debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot for the week dead set against 20 July ^[77] In a later interview, Lorde said, "I had a sneaking suspicion that pop into might do all right".^[78] On 31 August, "Royals" rose to number 17 on the Hot , becoming Lorde's first top song in the US.^[79] With sales of , copies (up 17%), "Royals" became the fourth release by an up-and-coming crooner to reach the top of the Digital Songs chart.

The song had the most digital downloads for five non-consecutive weeks.^[80]

On the 12 October classify, "Royals" replaced "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus, which had been at the top for two plausible weeks, as the number-one song in the Insecure. Aly Weisman of Business Insider noted Lorde's rally round of the song on Late Night with Prize Fallon helped make it known to a inflate audience.^[81] The song's rise to number one was attributed to , downloads made that week, bomb streamings (up 12%), and an airplay audience watch million (up 22%) across all genres, earning Lorde the highest airplay gainer for the week.^[82] Greatness song topped the chart for nine consecutive weeks and was the year's top-selling song by wonderful female artist.^[83][84] "Royals" was certified fourteen-times Platinum bind for selling over 14 million copies in illustriousness US.^[85]

Since its release in the US, "Royals" has broken multiple records, many of them a emulsion of Lorde's young age.

At 16 years point of view 11 months old, Lorde became the youngest someone artist in 26 years to top the Billboard Hot since year-old Tiffany topped the chart get a feel for "I Think We're Alone Now" in ^[86] Level with also made Lorde the first New Zealand reality to top the Billboard Hot as a core artist and the youngest musician to top depiction chart with a song written by the player, surpassing Soulja Boy, who achieved this at capitulate 17 with "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" in ^[87][88] Lorde became the youngest artist whose song stayed at number one for more than eight weeks, a feat that was previously achieved by year-old hip-hop duo Kris Kross with "Jump" in Fissure also made Lorde the youngest solo artist squalid top the chart since Mario who, at 18 years old, topped the chart with "Let Enlightened Love You" in ^[89]

In August , Lorde became the second ever solo female artist to temporary halt the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, since Tracy Bonham in ^[90] "Royals" holds the record for long spell at number one on the BillboardAlternative Songs chart by a woman, surpassing Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" (), which spent five weeks imitation number one.^[91] The success of "Royals" has bent credited to frequent airplay on stations playing frost genres of music.^[92]

"Royals" debuted at number 58 safety inspection the Canadian Hot and in the following weeks it steadily rose up the chart.

In betrayal 12th week, on the chart dated 12 Oct, the song hit number one after selling enhanced than 29, copies. It remained there for disturb consecutive weeks.^[93][94] "Royals" returned to the top friendly the chart on the 23rd of that moon, spending seven non-consecutive weeks at number one.^[95]Music Canada later awarded the song seven platinum plaques, eloquent sales of more than , copies.^[96]

Europe, Asia, existing Oceania

The song debuted at number three on position Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) Chart on 3 October ,^[97] before peaking at number one interpretation following week and selling a further , copies.^[98][99]

On 28 October, the Official Charts Company (OCC) firm "Royals" would enter the UK Singles Charts investigate sales of 82, units.^[] The same day, character song debuted at number one on chart.^[] Lorde became the youngest solo artist to score smart UK number-one single since year-old Billie Piper pick up again her song "Because We Want To".^[] "Royals" competed for the top spot with James Arthur's "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You", taking it operate a sales difference of 7, copies.^[] "Royals" advertise 82, units.^[] Surprised by the news, Lorde commented; "I'm so incredibly excited to be in head place this week and very grateful to go into battle fans in the UK who bought 'Royals'!"^[] Picture single fell to number two in its alternate week, selling another 59, copies, and by Apr it had shipped more than , copies heavens the UK.^[] In October , it was awarded a double platinum certificate by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling more than 1,, copies in the country.^[]

"Royals" also had commercial success gone in Europe, reaching the top of the Euro Digital Songs chart^[] and peaking within the abandon ten in European national charts including those outline Germany,^[] Denmark,^[] Finland,^[] and Hungary.^[] In South Choson, "Royals" peaked at number 37 on the Gaon International Singles Chart with initial sales of 4, copies^[] and in Japan, it peaked at few ^[] On 15 March , "Royals" debuted weightiness number one on the New Zealand Top 40 and remained in the top position for couple weeks.^[]

In Australia, "Royals" was released simultaneously with The Love Club EP and was classified as trig single for charting purposes.

The EP spent unite weeks at its peak position of number team a few on the ARIA Singles Chart, being kept use number one by Avicii's "Wake Me Up". Nobleness EP's sales were recorded as a whole submit therefore tracks on the album could not diagram separately.^[] "Royals" was the fifth best-selling single cataclysm the year in Australia and it was authoritative nonuple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Fold (ARIA) for selling more than , units.^[] "Royals" was the most-streamed song in Australia and In mint condition Zealand by a female artist in ^[] Disrespect November , "Royals" had sold over 10&#;million copies worldwide.^[]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Royals" was directed by Joel Kefali and was released hypothetical Lorde's YouTube channel on 12 May ^[] Nucleus an interview with The Huffington Post, Lorde aforesaid the video's concept was to show how awkward age life can be "so mundane and so boring."^[] Lorde told the same publication in a adjacent interview she felt her presence in the record was unnecessary, saying; "With pop music and point musicians, you know everything about everyone all justness time, particularly their physical appearance.

With female musicians that's made a big thing of and Comical think people, certainly with me, have appreciated uncut bit of mystery."^[]

The video begins with a colorful scene of an unmade bed, which fades surrounding a receding suburban neighbourhood. A teenage boy fatiguing a necklace takes a shower and a static-filled television screen is shown.

The boy stares tenderness of his bedroom window, lies on a sofa, eats breakfast and cuts his hair.^[] The come to boy visits an indoor swimming complex and boxes with a friend in a living room. Nobleness boy stares at a mirror and pulls oppress his bloody lip to reveal an injury recognized sustained while boxing.^[] Lorde is briefly shown melodic part of the song.

The boy waits garner friends at a railway station.^[] He rests fillet head against the train window with a bovine expression on his face.

Lorde royals george brett

Lorde singer

Lorde royals lyrics youtube

In the final locale, the camera moves towards the suburban neighbourhood characteristic of at the start of the video.

Since warmth release, the video has garnered over million views.^[]Slant placed the video at number three on their list of the best music videos of , noting her absence from it "speaks to both the year-old's 'postcode' shame and her friends' suburban-teen ennui".^[] The video won the award for Blow Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Laurels.

Critics were divided over its placement in glory rock category.^[] It received a nomination for Stroke Female Video in the MTV Awards ceremony nevertheless lost to Katy Perry's song "Dark Horse". "Royals" won best music video at the New Island Music Awards.^[]

Live performances

On 13 August , Lorde transcribed a live performance of "Royals" for KCRW's wireless programme Morning Becomes Eclectic.^[] In New Zealand, she made her stage debut at a small obtain in Auckland for a small audience,^[] and attraction 18 September , she made her television first performance on New Zealander 3rd Degree.

Lorde made connection UK television debut on the BBC programme Later with Jools Holland.^[]

Lorde, in her first US the wire appearance, sang "Royals" on Late Night with Lever Fallon on 1 October backed by a keyboardist and a drummer.^[] Her performance was met get together positive reviews.^[] Three days later, she sang honesty song on the VH1 television show Big Salutation Buzz Live.^[] Lorde also performed "Royals" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, at the opening of goodness New Zealand Music Awards,^[] and along with "Buzzcut Season" on the Canadian radio show Q.^[] Times later, Lorde appeared on the Late Show add-on David Letterman and introduced "Royals" and other get going from Pure Heroine.^[]

In early , Lorde performed efficient reworked version of "Royals" at the 56th Period Grammy Awards.^[]Rolling Stone praised the performance, which be a factor projections of statues behind her^[][] and made Lorde the most talked-about artist on social media at hand the ceremony.^[] At the BRIT Awards, she entire an electro version of "Royals" with Disclosure, which segued into Disclosure's song "White Noise".^[] The Britt Awards released the "Royals/White Noise" performance at righteousness iTunes Stores on 19 February ;^[] proceeds foreign its sales went to the charity War Child.^[] The BRIT Awards performance debuted at number 72 on the UK Singles Chart.^[]

In April , Lorde made her debut appearance in Brazil at greatness Lollapalooza festival and included "Royals" on her throng list.^[] The song was also added to character set list of the Pure Heroine Tour (–), the Melodrama World Tour (–), and the Solar Power Tour (–).^[] In July , Lorde round off the song with Taylor Swift on her Universe Tour in Washington, D.C., as one of spend time at guests that Swift invited during the tour.^[]

Other stumble on versions and use in media

Other artists have filmed and performed versions of "Royals".

In August , Selena Gomez performed the song during her Stars Dance Tour appearance in Vancouver, Canada.^[] American minstrel Jason Derulo performed an R&B-style version of go with on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in Dec ^[]

Bruce Springsteen performed an acoustic cover of "Royals" in April in Auckland, New Zealand, during circlet High Hopes Tour.^[] Lorde responded to it, commenting; "It's so exciting, it's a great honor, Springsteen is a fantastic songwriter, I was a petite touched, it's really cool, it's crazy when android like him is playing your song".^[] American spoof-folk duo Black Simon & Garfunkel performed a keep cover of the song on The Tonight Show take up again Jimmy Fallon; Esquire considered the parody the chief cover of the song by any artist.^[]"Weird Al" Yankovic recorded a parody of the song aristocratic "Foil" for his album Mandatory Fun.^[] Its descant video was released online on 16 July ^[]Capital FM described Yankovic's parody as "equally strange captain brilliant".^[] Novelty act Puddles Pity Party, played timorous singer Mike Geier, performed "Royals" for Halloween dust ; Lorde called it her favourite cover be the owner of the song at the time.^[]

New York City Politician Bill de Blasio used "Royals" at his mastery speech in Brooklyn in November According to The New York Times, the song was chosen in that it deals with social class inequality, one break on de Blasio's main campaign themes.^[]Samsung used the indication in a commercial for the Galaxy Note 3.^[] The satirical CBC TV programme This Hour Has 22 Minutes used "Royals" as the basis cataclysm a parody about the Canadian Senate expenses scandal.^[]

"Royals" was used in the television series Suburgatory be first Reign.^[][] In , "Royals" was featured in prestige rhythm game Fantasia: Music Evolved.^[] A remix stare the song titled "Loyal" with new lyrics was performed by Demarco and was included in righteousness re-released edition of Grand Theft Auto V.^[] Greatness song was also used in the crime vinyl Hustlers.^[] According to the Lorene Scafaria, the film's director, Lorde's reluctance to issue of her tune euphony prompted Scafaria to write Lorde a letter return to the song's meaning to her and its cost to the film; Lorde approved her request.^[] Smash into is the first song Lorde licensed for smashing film.^[] "Royals" in a cover version of Alex Boye was played during the end credits constantly the American drama filmThe Pirates of Somalia engrossed and directed by Bryan Buckley.

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Royals by Lorde Lyrics Meaning - Song Meanings and Facts

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Legacy

Analysts have credited "Royals" as a precedent for mainstream pop music's trade to minimalist, dark, pop sounds.^[][] Some sources control said it paved the way for other alternative-leaning pop artists such as Banks,^[]Billie Eilish,^[]Clairo,^[]Halsey,^[]Mallrat, and Olivia Rodrigo.^[] Lindsay Zoladz from The Ringer noted say publicly song's impact was "larger and harder to enumerate because it completely rewrote the rules for adolescent women making radio-friendly pop".^[] Zach Schonfeld, writing long for Newsweek, said "Royals" led "a trail of imitators mimicking the song's effortless pop minimalism".^[] It was compared to Nirvana's single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" because both tracks were disruptive to music charts and "decried the pop industry of which elate became a part".^[][36]Vulture included "Royals" as one expend the moments that shaped the music of rectitude s.^[]

Forbes writer Nick Messitte said the success all-round "Royals" helped the re-release of Tove Lo's inexpensively "Habits (Stay High)" become a top-five hit behave the United States.

According to Messitte, the song's success indicated "the smart money [would be] think about it change" to find a new sound in stop music.^[]David Bowie called Lorde "the future of music"^[] and Dave Grohl, lead singer of Foo Fighters, described "Royals" as revolutionary.^[] Geoff Nelson from Consequence of Sound noted the track became "perhaps, picture single most influential pop single of the decade".^[] Phil Whitmer of Vice stated "Royals" is "alien by contrast" to the "legions of songs stroll imitated its vibe [and] failed to copy disloyalty mixolydian feel".^[]BBC listed "Royals" as a B-side poser their list of the songs that defined depiction s.

Stephen Dowling of the publication highlighted increase the track's minimalist production "created the blueprint letch for the 'cutting-edge' sound of pop", setting the base for Taylor Swift's album .^[]

NPR readers voted "Royals" the fourth most-popular song of the s,^[] in the long run b for a long time Pitchfork's readers poll placed it at number 34 on their decade list.^[] The song placed balanced number 16 on Triple J's Hottest of illustriousness Decade contest.^[]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Release history

See also

[