Lorde – Royals (Official Music Video) | The Anthem That Redefined Pop

"Royals" by Lorde isn't just a hit—it's a cultural shift. Released when she was just 16, this minimalist pop anthem challenged the glamorization of fame, wealth, and excess in mainstream music. With its hypnotic beat and sharp lyrics, Royals became a generational statement and launched the New Zealand singer-songwriter into global stardom.

The music video reflects the track’s stripped-back brilliance—raw, real, and refreshingly different. From suburban settings to introspective close-ups, Lorde rewrote the rules of pop image-making while calling out the fantasy sold by celebrity culture.

🏆 Awards & Legacy:

Winner of Song of the Year at the GRAMMYs

Topped charts in over 15 countries

Sparked a new wave of alt-pop authenticity

Whether you're revisiting this classic or discovering it for the first time, Royals remains an iconic track that proved pop could be smart, subtle, and socially aware.

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#lorde #royals #lorderoyals #officialmusicvideo #altpop #popanthem #newzealandmusic #grammywinner #minimalistpop #teenicon #lordedebut #generationalvoice #antipopstar #RoyalsLyrics

Lyrics:
[Produced by Joel Little]
[Video by Joel Kefali]

[Verse 1]
I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
And I'm not proud of my address
In a torn up town, no postcode envy

[Pre-Chorus]
But every song's like
Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room
We don't care; we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams
But everybody's like
Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece
Jet planes, islands, tiger's on a gold leash
We don't care; we aren't caught up in your love affair

[Chorus]
And we'll never be royals (Royals)
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (Ruler)
You can call me queen bee
And baby, I'll rule (I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule)
Let me live that fantasy


[Verse 2]
My friends and I, we've cracked the code
We count our dollars on the train to the party
And everyone who knows us knows
That we're fine with this
We didn't come from money

[Pre-Chorus]
But every song's like
Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room
We don't care; we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams
But everybody's like
Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece
Jet planes, islands, tiger's on a gold leash
We don't care; we aren't caught up in your love affair

[Chorus]
And we'll never be royals (Royals)
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (Ruler)
You can call me queen bee
And baby, I'll rule (I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule)
Let me live that fantasy


[Bridge]
(Oh, oh-oh)
We're bigger than we ever dreamed
And I'm in love with being queen
(Oh, oh-oh)
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair

[Chorus]
And we'll never be royals (Royals)
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (Ruler)
You can call me queen bee
And baby, I'll rule (I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule)
Let me live that fantasy