THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

332-Lorde-Royals.

2013-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.44. I would imagine that for the convenience of saving time, that when a fan asks for an autograph, she signs Lorde, rather than Ella Maarija Lani Yelich-O’Connor.

Lorde (pronounced Lord) was born on November 7th, 1996, in Auckland, New Zealand, To date she has released three studio Albums between 2013-2021, 11 singles, and four EP’s. In her native New Zealand all of her solo singles have reached the top 40, while in America on Billboard she has charted on four occasions, and in the UK, also four times as well.

It was one of Lorde’s school teachers who suggested to her mother that she may have above average intelligence, and after tests it was concluded that at the age of six she was a gifted child. In her early teens Lorde attended Belmont Intermediate School in Auckland, where she and some of her fellow students finished runners up in the 2009 ‘Kids’ Lit Quiz, World Finals,’ which is a global literature competition for students aged 10 to 14. In May 2009 Lorde and her friend Louis McDonald won the Belmont Intermediate School annual talent show, leading to an appearance Jim Mora’s show on Radio New Zealand. McDonald’s father sent recordings of the duo to Scott Maclachlan of the Universal Music Group, leading to Maclachlan signing Lorde to the label.

It was Maclachlan who paired Lorde with this songs co-writer, and producer Joel Little. Together Little, and Lorde composed the five tracks including ‘Royals’ that would make up her debut release ‘The Love Club EP’ in 2012. Joel Little who was born on February 13th, 1983, in Auckland, New Zealand, and had previously been the singer and guitarist with New Zealand Pop/Punk band ‘Goodnight Nurse’ between 2001-2010, having released two studio Albums, and 11 singles, achieving one top 20 hit in their native country.

Lorde who chose her stage name from her interest in history, and the aristocracy, added the ‘E’ on to Lord in order for it to sound feminine. She has said that she always loved the word ‘Royal’ and wrote the song around the word, writing some of the lyrics at the age of just 12. Lorde has stated that she was also inspired to write the lyrics after listening to the Kanye West and Jay Z collaborative Album ‘Watch the Throne’ (see also best songs 477.) ‘Royals’ is a take down of the luxurious lifestyle that ‘Hip-Hop’ artists brag about. Lorde has said,’ All those references to expensive alcohol, beautiful cars, I was thinking, this is opulent, but it’s also bulls..t.’

At the age of 16 years and 11 months Lorde became the youngest female artist to achieve a Billboard Number 1 single since Tiffany, who was also 16 years old when reaching Number 1 with ‘I Think Were Alone Now’ in 1987 (see also best songs 364.) Lorde also became the first artist born in New Zealand to top the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist. The song also made Lorde the youngest solo artist ever to write, and perform a Hot 100 chart topper.

‘But every songs 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.’