"Royals" is the debut single by New Zealand singer-songwriterLorde, included in her debutextended play (EP)The Love Club EP (2012) and debut studio albumPure Heroine (2013). Lorde wrote the song with producerJoel Little. "Royals" is a minimalistart pop andelectropop song with influences ofhip hop,R&B, andindie pop. The track's lyrics critique the sumptuous lifestyle presented in songs and music videos by popular musicians, making them appear like modern-dayroyalty.
"Royals" received widespread acclaim from music 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. The single attained international chart success, reaching number one in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where it spent nine weeks atop theBillboard Hot 100 and was certified Diamond by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making it one of thebest-selling singles of all time. In the media, the song has been credited for inspiring some artists to adopt its minimalist sound and has been called an anthem formillennials.
George Brett (pictured) playing for theKC Royals. A photograph of the American baseball player signing baseballs in the July 1976 edition ofNational Geographic inspired the track's title.[1]
In 2009,A&R representative Scott MacLachlan ofUniversal Music Group (UMG) discovered 12-year-old singerLorde when he saw footage of her performing at a school talent show inAuckland, New Zealand. At age 13, Lorde began writing songs. In December 2011, after several unsuccessful sessions with songwriters and producers, MacLachlan paired Lorde withJoel Little, a former singer and guitarist of the New Zealandpop-punk bandGoodnight Nurse.[2] Her vocal performance and songwriting abilities impressed Little, who composed songs with musical structures that were based on her lyrics.[3]
Lorde wrote the lyrics to "Royals" in half an hour at her home in July 2012[4][5] and during a school break, she and Little recorded the song at Golden Age Studios in Auckland in one week.[6] Lorde and Little wrote songs for theextended play (EP)The Love Club EP in three weeks.[7] The title "Royals" came to Lorde after she saw a 1976 photograph ofKansas City Royals baseball playerGeorge Brett signing baseballs with his team's name "Royals" emblazoned on his shirt.[8] She said during aVH1 interview in September 2013, "It was just that word. It's really cool."[9]
Lorde's interest inaristocracy and monarchs such asMarie Antoinette andHenry VIII also inspired the song and herstage name.[9][10] She said the lyric about drivingCadillacs in dreams came from a diary entry she wrote when she was 12.[8] She also stated she took inspiration from pop and hip hop-influenced artists such asASAP Rocky,Drake,Lana Del Rey,Nicki Minaj,Kanye West, andJay-Z—particularly West's and Jay-Z's 2011 collaborative albumWatch the Throne.[11][12] During the songwriting process, she criticised their references to extravagant alcohol and cars, which did not represent her reality.[13][12]
Lordeself-released "Royals" for free download in conjunction withThe Love Club EP onSoundCloud on 22 November 2012.[14] She released the EP for no cost because people her age are less likely to have access to a credit card.[11] The song garnered an immediate reaction on social media and that December, "Royals" had its first radio broadcast on New Zealand radio stationGeorge FM.[15] On 8 March 2013, UMG removed "Royals" from SoundCloud and released it to online stores in New Zealand and Australia.[16]Lava andRepublic Records released it to US radio on 3 June 2013.[17]
According toJason Flom, president of Lava Records, a key step to popularising "Royals" internationally was its addition to aSpotify playlist curated by American entrepreneurSean Parker on 2 April 2013.[18] The song later debuted on Spotify'sViral Chart, which lists the most popular songs among the service's users. "Royals" peaked at number one in May 2013. Two months later, the song was sent toalternative radio stations in the United States and on 13 August 2013, it was sent to contemporary hit radio stations. On September 3, 2013, “Royals” was released to rhythmic contemporary radio in the US.[19] In other regions, "Royals" was made available in August 2013,[20] and in the United Kingdom it was released on 20 October 2013.[21]
"Royals" was also promoted through remixes released in partnership with artistsThe Weeknd,[22]Rick Ross,[23]Wale,[24] andT-Pain. The latter's remix received criticism for making changes to the lyrics,[25] and according to MTV, turning the "original's anti-bling sentiments into a celebration of the extravagant life".[26]
Foreign Policy's Alicia P.Q. Wittmeyer noted "Royals" as an observation ofconspicuous consumption.[38] The song expresses Lorde's displeasure at the sumptuous lifestyle presented by some pop artists in their songs.[36] She criticisesconsumerism[39] and ridicules the luxury items mentioned in popular hip hop songs.[37] Other analysts noted themes ofincome inequality,[40] and "unabashedly pop [songs] attacking unabashedly pop music".[41] Chris Coplan ofConsequence of Sound described the lyrics of "Royals" as "romantic and playful"[42] while Duncan Greive ofThe Guardian called them "simultaneously vulnerable and imperious".[43]
Matthew Perpetua ofBuzzFeed said the issue addressed in "Royals" is growing up in New Zealand "immersed in Americancultural imperialism" and that the song's core is the alienation of social classes.[39] Sharing similar sentiments,Jon Pareles and Michael M. Grynbaum ofThe New York Times noted the track's verses describe "growing up in drab reality amid a popular culture that flaunts luxury brands and celebrates wildly conspicuous consumption".[44] Jonah Bromwich ofThe Village Voice said "Royals" has the "potential to sound like a celebration of the very things" Lorde is criticising.[45] Lorde said the song is about the opulence one finds in some music videos, which is "far from [her] reality".[46]
"Royals" received widespread acclaim from music critics. Lewis Corner fromDigital Spy awarded the track a five rating and lauded its "addictive hook that thrives on its simplicity".[47]The Guardian's Duncan Grieve was impressed by the song's "direct response" to excess and wealth.[43]The Boston Globe writer James Reed selected "Royals" as the highlight of the albumPure Heroine.[48] Rita Houston ofNPR praised its melody, "heartfelt" songwriting, and Lorde's "rhythmic" vocals that combine to create a "polished little gem of a song".[49] Jon Hadusek fromConsequence of Sound also named the track the album's standout, singling out its "self-reflexive" lyrics and "catchy" production.[50]PopMatters writer Scott Interrante felt that the song's sound was "distinct and fresh", whileThe New York Times's Jon Pareles highlighted its clever message, describing it as a "class-conscious critique ofpop-culture materialism".[51][52]
The lyrical content of the song was scrutinised afterFeministing blogger Véronica Bayetti Flores called it "racist". She felt that "gold teeth,Cristal, andMaybachs" were direct references to items used by mainstream black artists.[53] This prompted responses from several media publications, includingThe Washington Times,[54]Complex,[55] andVice, who disagreed with Flores's comments.[56] Journalist Lynda Brendish wrote that the song also critiques other stereotypes associated with affluent, high-profile personalities, such asrock musicians,socialites, andRussian oligarchs.[57] In contrast,Spin writer Brandon Soderberg argued that the inclusion of "Royals" onurban radio was an attempt by the music industry towhitewash traditionally black radio stations.[58]
In its first seven days on sale, "Royals" sold 85,000 downloads and debuted at number 90 on theBillboard Hot 100 for the week ending 20 July 2013.[77] In a later interview, Lorde said, "I had a sneaking suspicion that it might do all right".[78] On 31 August, "Royals" rose to number 17 on the Hot 100, becoming Lorde's first top-20 song in the US.[79] With sales of 307,000 copies (up 17%), "Royals" became the fourth release by an up-and-coming singer to reach the top of theDigital Songs chart. The song had the most digital downloads for five non-consecutive weeks.[80]
On the 12 October chart, "Royals" replaced "Wrecking Ball" byMiley Cyrus, which had been at the top for two straight weeks, as the number-one song in the US. Aly Weisman ofBusiness Insider noted Lorde's performance of the song onLate Night with Jimmy Fallon helped make it known to a wider audience.[81] The song's rise to number one was attributed to 294,000 downloads made that week, 6.1 million streamings (up 12%), and an airplay audience of 128 million (up 22%) across all genres, earning Lorde the highest airplay gainer for the week.[82] The song topped the chart for nine consecutive weeks and was the year's top-selling song by a female artist.[83][84] "Royals" was certifiedfourteen-times Platinum in 2023 for selling over 14 million copies in the US.[85]
Since its release in the US, "Royals" has broken multiple records, many of them a result of Lorde's young age. At 16 years and 11 months old, Lorde became the youngest female artist in 26 years to top theBillboard Hot 100 since 16-year-oldTiffany topped the chart with "I Think We're Alone Now" in 1987.[86] It also made Lorde the first New Zealand act to top theBillboard Hot 100 as a lead artist and the youngest musician to top the chart with a song written by the performer, surpassingSoulja Boy, who achieved this at age 17 with "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" in 2007.[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 13-year-old hip-hop duoKris Kross with "Jump" in 1992. It also made Lorde the youngest solo artist to top the chart sinceMario who, at 18 years old, topped the chart with "Let Me Love You" in 2005.[89]
In August 2013, Lorde became the second ever solo female artist to top theBillboard Alternative Songs chart, sinceTracy Bonham in 1996.[90] "Royals" holds the record for longest spell at number one on theBillboardAlternative Songs chart by a woman, surpassingAlanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" (1995), which spent five weeks at number one.[91] The success of "Royals" has been credited to frequent airplay on stations playing different genres of music.[92]
"Royals" debuted at number 58 on theCanadian Hot 100 and in the following weeks it steadily rose up the chart. In its 12th week, on the chart dated 12 October, the song hit number one after selling more than 29,000 copies. It remained there for six consecutive weeks.[93][94] "Royals" returned to the top of the chart on the 23rd of that month, spending seven non-consecutive weeks at number one.[95]Music Canada later awarded the song a diamond plaque, denoting sales of more than 800,000 copies.[96]
The song debuted at number three on theIrish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) Chart on 3 October 2013,[97] before peaking at number one the following week and selling a further 309,000 copies.[98][99]
On 28 October, theOfficial Charts Company (OCC) confirmed "Royals" would enter theUK Singles Charts with sales of 82,551 units.[100] The same day, the song debuted at number one on chart.[101] Lorde became the youngest solo artist to score a UK number-one single since 15-year-oldBillie Piper with her 1998 song "Because We Want To".[102] "Royals" competed for the top spot withJames Arthur's "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You", taking it with a sales difference of 7,000 copies.[103] "Royals" sold 82,551 units.[100] Surprised by the news, Lorde commented; "I'm so incredibly excited to be in first place this week and very grateful to all fans in the UK who bought 'Royals'!"[104] The single fell to number two in its second week, selling another 59,903 copies, and by April 2014 it had shipped more than 470,000 copies in the UK.[105] In March 2025, it was awarded atriple platinum certificate by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling more than 1,800,000 copies in the country.[106]
"Royals" also had commercial success elsewhere in Europe, reaching the top of theEuro Digital Songs chart[107] and peaking within the top ten in European national charts including those of Germany,[108] Denmark,[109] Finland,[110] and Hungary.[111] In South Korea, "Royals" peaked at number 37 on theGaon International Singles Chart with initial sales of 4,331 copies[112] and in Japan, it peaked at number 16.[113] On 15 March 2013, "Royals" debuted at number one on theNew Zealand Top 40 and remained in the top position for three weeks.[114]
In Australia, "Royals" was released simultaneously withThe Love Club EP and was classified as a single for charting purposes. The EP spent two weeks at its peak position of number two on theARIA Singles Chart, being kept from number one byAvicii's "Wake Me Up". The EP's sales were recorded as a whole and therefore tracks on the album could not chart separately.[115] "Royals" was the fifth best-selling single of the year in Australia and it was accredited nonuple platinum by theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for selling more than 630,000 units.[116] "Royals" was the most-streamed song in Australia and New Zealand by a female artist in 2013.[117] By November 2014, "Royals" had sold over 10 million copies worldwide.[118]
According to Lorde, this scene is a picture of the "straight forward" life she grew up with, where she spent most of her time riding around on bikes and taking photos.[119]
The accompanying music video for "Royals" was directed by Joel Kefali and was released on Lorde'sYouTube channel on 12 May 2013.[120] In an interview withThe Huffington Post, Lorde said the video's concept was to show how teenage life can be "so mundane and so boring."[121] Lorde told the same publication in a later interview she felt her presence in the video was unnecessary, saying; "With pop music and pop musicians, you know everything about everyone all the time, particularly their physical appearance. With female musicians that's made a big thing of and I think people, certainly with me, have appreciated a bit of mystery."[119]
The video begins with a monochromatic scene of an unmade bed, which fades to a receding suburban neighbourhood. A teenage boy wearing a necklace takes a shower and a static-filled television screen is shown. The boy stares out of his bedroom window, lies on a couch, eats breakfast and cuts his hair.[122] The same boy visits an indoor swimming complex and boxes with a friend in a living room. The boy stares at a mirror and pulls down his bloody lip to reveal an injury he sustained while boxing.[122] Lorde is briefly shown singing part of the song. The boy waits with friends at a railway station.[122] He rests his head against the train window with a dull expression on his face. In the final scene, the camera moves towards the suburban neighbourhood seen at the start of the video.
Since its release, the video has garnered over 900 million views.[120]Slant placed the video at number three on their list of the best music videos of 2013, noting her absence from it "speaks to both the 16-year-old's 'postcode' shame and her friends' suburban-teen ennui".[123] The video won the award forBest Rock Video at the2014 MTV Video Music Awards. Critics were divided over its placement in the rock category.[124] It received a nomination for Best Female Video in the MTV Awards ceremony but lost toKaty Perry's 2014 song "Dark Horse". "Royals" won best music video at the2013 New Zealand Music Awards.[125]
On 13 August 2013, Lorde recorded a live performance of "Royals" forKCRW's radio programmeMorning Becomes Eclectic.[126] In New Zealand, she made her stage debut at a small venue in Auckland for a small audience,[127] and on 18 September 2013, she made her television debut onNew Zealander 3rd Degree. Lorde made her UK television debut on theBBC programmeLater... with Jools Holland.[128]
In early 2014, Lorde performed a reworked version of "Royals" at the56th Annual Grammy Awards.[135]Rolling Stone praised the performance, which included projections of statues behind her[136][137] and made Lorde the most talked-about artist on social media during the ceremony.[138] At the2014 BRIT Awards, she performed anelectro version of "Royals" withDisclosure, which segued into Disclosure's song "White Noise".[139] TheBRIT Awards released the "Royals/White Noise" performance at theiTunes Stores on 19 February 2014;[140] proceeds from its sales went to the charityWar Child.[141] The BRIT Awards performance debuted at number 72 on the UK Singles Chart.[142]
Other artists have recorded and performed versions of "Royals". In August 2013,Selena Gomez performed the song during herStars Dance Tour appearance in Vancouver, Canada.[146] American singerJason Derulo performed an R&B-style version of it onBBC Radio 1'sLive Lounge in December 2013.[147] Canadian singer-songwriterthe Weeknd also recorded a remix version of the song.
Bruce Springsteen performed an acoustic cover of "Royals" in April 2014 in Auckland, New Zealand, during hisHigh Hopes Tour.[148] Lorde responded to it, commenting; "It's so exciting, it's a great honor, Springsteen is a fantastic songwriter, I was a little touched, it's really cool, it's crazy when someone like him is playing your song".[149] American spoof-folk duo Black Simon & Garfunkel performed a cover of the song onThe Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon;Esquire considered the parody the best cover of the song by any artist.[150]"Weird Al" Yankovic recorded a parody of the song titled "Foil" for his albumMandatory Fun.[151] Its music video was released online on 16 July 2014.[152]Capital FM described Yankovic's parody as "equally strange and brilliant".[153] Novelty actPuddles Pity Party, played by singerMike Geier, performed "Royals" for Halloween in 2013; Lorde called it her favourite cover of the song at the time.[154]
"Royals" was used in the television seriesSuburgatory andReign.[159][160] In 2014, "Royals" was featured in the rhythm gameFantasia: Music Evolved.[161] A remix of the song titled "Loyal" with new lyrics was performed byDemarco and was included in the re-released edition ofGrand Theft Auto V.[162] The song was also used in the 2019 crime filmHustlers.[163] According to theLorene Scafaria, the film's director, Lorde's reluctance to issuecopyright of her music prompted Scafaria to write Lorde a letter about the song's meaning to her and its importance to the film; Lorde approved her request.[164] It is the first song Lordelicensed for a film.[164] "Royals" in a cover version ofAlex Boye was played during the end credits of the 2017 Americandrama filmThe Pirates of Somalia written and directed byBryan Buckley.
Analysts have credited "Royals" as a precedent for mainstream pop music's transition to minimalist, dark, pop sounds.[165][166] Some sources have said it paved the way for otheralternative-leaning pop artists such asBanks,[167]Billie Eilish,[168]Clairo,[169]Halsey,[167]Mallrat, andOlivia Rodrigo.[169] Lindsay Zoladz fromThe Ringer noted the song's impact was "larger and harder to define because it completely rewrote the rules for young women making radio-friendly pop".[170] Zach Schonfeld, writing forNewsweek, said "Royals" led "a trail of imitators mimicking the song's effortless pop minimalism".[166] It was compared toNirvana's 1991 single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" because both tracks were disruptive to music charts and "decried the pop industry of which it became a part".[171][36]Vulture included "Royals" as one of the 103 moments that shaped the music of the 2010s.[172]
Forbes writer Nick Messitte said the success of "Royals" helped the re-release ofTove Lo's 2013 song "Habits (Stay High)" become a top-five hit in the United States. According to Messitte, the song's success indicated "the smart money [would be] on change" to find a new sound in pop music.[173]David Bowie called Lorde "the future of music"[174] andDave Grohl, lead singer ofFoo Fighters, described "Royals" as revolutionary.[175] SirElton John called it "beautiful in its simplicity", and told his children's godmotherLady Gaga that she should focus on going a similar direction.[176] Geoff Nelson fromConsequence of Sound noted the track became "perhaps, the single most influential pop single of the decade".[177] Phil Whitmer ofVice stated "Royals" is "alien by contrast" to the "legions of songs that imitated its vibe [and] failed to copy its mixolydian feel".[178]BBC listed "Royals" as a B-side on their list of the songs that defined the 2010s. Stephen Dowling of the publication highlighted how the track's minimalist production "created the blueprint for the 'cutting-edge' sound of pop", setting the foundation forTaylor Swift's 2014 album1989.[179]
NPR readers voted "Royals" the fourth most-popular song of the 2010s,[180] whilePitchfork's readers poll placed it at number 34 on their decade list.[181] The song placed at number 16 onTriple J's Hottest 100 of the Decade contest.[182]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
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^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 18. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
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