Don't you think that it's
Boring how people talk?
Making smart with their words again
Well, I'm bored
Because
I'm doing this for the thrill of it, killin' it
Never not chasin' a million things I want
And I am
Only as young as the minute is, full of it
Getting pumped up on the little bright things I bought
But I know they'll never own me (Yeah)
[Chorus]
Baby, be the class clown
I'll be the beauty queen in tears
It's a new art form
Showin' people how little we care (Yeah)
We're so happy
Even when we're smilin' out of fear
Let's go down to the tennis court
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
[Verse 2]
Pretty soon, I'll be getting
On my first plane
I'll see the veins of my city
Like they do in space
But my head's
Fillin' up fast with the wicked games, up in flames
How can I fuck with the fun again when I'm
Known?
And my
Boys trip me up with their heads again, lovin' them
Everything's cool when we're all in line for the throne
But I know it's not forever (Yeah)
Baby, be the class clown
I'll be the beauty queen in tears
It's a new art form
Showin' people how little we care (Yeah)
We're so happy
Even when we're smilin' out of fear
Let's go down to the tennis court
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
[Bridge]
It looked all right in the pictures (Yeah)
Getting caught's half of the trip, though, isn't it? (Yeah)
I'll fall apart, with all my heart (Yeah)
And you could watch from your window (Yeah)
Haha
Yeah, you could watch from your window
[Chorus]
Baby, be the class clown
I'll be the beauty queen in tears
It's a new art form
Showin' people how little we care (Yeah)
We're so happy
Even when we're smilin' out of fear
Let's go down to the tennis court
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
Let's go down to the tennis court
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
Let's go down to the tennis court
And talk it up like, "Yeah" (Yeah)
[Produced by Joel Little]
About
“Tennis Court” is a solemn reflection on Lorde’s then-upcoming fame. It uses a darker backing than “Royals,” with even more electronic flairs embedded.
The music video is a one-shot, static shot of Lorde staring in the camera, with her only lip-syncing to the word “yeah”. The fanciest thing about it is her gothic get-up and light flares. When asked about the meaning, she said:
do you think things have to have a definite meaning to be good? i think there’s beauty in something people can’t quite work out, and maybe it wouldn’t be right for me to stick a meaning on it anyway. i made something that i thought was visually compelling, and that’s all i’m going to say. thanks for listening x
It has gone #1 in New Zealand.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Tennis Court
- 2.400 Lux
- 3.Royals
- 4.Ribs
- 6.Team
- 8.Still Sane
- 10.A World Alone