I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
And I'm not proud of my address, in the torn up town
No post code envy
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, tigers on a gold leash
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair
It don't run in our blood
That kind of lux just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your 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
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
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, tigers on a gold leash
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair
It don't run in our blood
That kind of lux just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your 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
We're bigger than we ever dreamed, and I'm in love with being queen
(Ooh ooh oh)
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your affair of games
It don't run in our blood
That kind of lux just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your 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
Clearly she's commenting on how the music industry / pop culture is all about materialistic stuff.
Most rappers / pop starts sing/rap about all the things she mentions: crystals, jet planes, islands, tigers on gold leashes and gold teeth (etc). Which she doesn't care much for...because in her dreams she's made it (symbolism for drivin' Cadillacs in our dreams) but she still knows she will never be part of that group of people (Royals).
She doesn't have that blood (wasn't born into fame or has family in the industry that has made it big) or belongs old money (postal codes - old money tend to live around the same areas i.e. Beverly hills).
So when she says she wants to be Queen Bee or Ruler, she is fantasizing about pop culture not being about what the Royals love (their materialistic lifestyles), she craves a different kind of buzz (doesn't care much about money but just having a "good life without a care") and will rule with that in mind.
You're on the right track. I think these lyrics indicate a willingness to accept what you have rather than to accept materialism. Not only that, Lorde dramatizes mediocrity. She is overly content with what she has and believes that she has more than a music industry/pop culture simply because she isn't materialistic.
You're on the right track. I think these lyrics indicate a willingness to accept what you have rather than to accept materialism. Not only that, Lorde dramatizes mediocrity. She is overly content with what she has and believes that she has more than a music industry/pop culture simply because she isn't materialistic.
First of all, I think the stage name "Lorde" is very much symbolic of this song. The word "Lord" references authority, control, and power, and Ella (her real name) uses the name Lorde almost as satire- she creates the name to treasure the normal everyday life....
First of all, I think the stage name "Lorde" is very much symbolic of this song. The word "Lord" references authority, control, and power, and Ella (her real name) uses the name Lorde almost as satire- she creates the name to treasure the normal everyday life. It's like the expression "one man's trash is another man's treasure." Lorde finds treasure in living a regular traditional life, not a dramatized materialistic life in society.
Lorde says, "We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams." This line references a willingness to look beyond materialism and realize that materialism isn't really treasured. I will coin Train's lyrics from their song Calling All Angels, "In a world where what we want is only what we want until it's ours." This is basically Lorde's premise. She dreams beyond materialism.
Lorde contradicts herself but within reason. She mentions "we'll never be royals," but later mentions in the same syntax "let me be your ruler, you can call me Queen Bee." Lorde wants people to see her as a lord who advocates non-materialistic attributes. In other words, she wants to be a queen, but she doesn't want to be a royal queen. She wants the responsibilities of a queen, but she does not want want the extra materialistic incentives.
Lorde says "We're bigger than we ever dreamed," indicating that she believes in herself and believes in being a non-materialistic queen. Basically, she implies that she is very royal not because of materialism, but because she admires the duties of a queen and a successful society aside materialism. Unfortunately, everyone else is blind to the fact that Lorde is a ruler and would rather have these materialistic incentives, which is why she states "But everybody's like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece."
In a nutshell, Lorde knows she will never be royal, but she believes she is royal in her own parameters. She says "And we'll never be royals" and follows this up with "Let me live that fantasy." She may not want to be materialistically royal, but she certainly takes royalty in her own values and willingness to lead aside from materialistic qualities. In an ironic kind of way, Lorde is very royal, just not the typical royal everyone longs for.
And ironically, her lyrics have become part of a materialistic music industry. It's become a popular song even against her willingness to accept royalty. Quite ironic, but the song sells. And I'd bet most people think the song means more about being materialistically royal than it does about being yourself and finding out what is royal in your personal life. Typical royal society that adds to the overall irony the song portrays.
I believe this song is about the life of the common person - the ones who live by paycheck to paycheck and sometimes not even enough. And even though these people don't have enough - they're still happy and able to live their lives, even though society tells them that they should live a certain way and try to strive for something else.
that is just sad....i like Hyperinactivity's interpretation better
that is just sad....i like Hyperinactivity's interpretation better
When I first heard this song, I hated it. But then I heard it a few times and it got stuck in my mind. When I looked up the lyrics, it actually started to have meaning to me.
I agree with a lot of these comments. Most of the pop songs today aren't relate-able at ALL because most people don't live a life of luxury and riches. She says that she's learned to accept that she'll never be "royal" and to just be content with it. If people really understood it, would it really be on the charts? Some of it's "Top Charter Buddies" are songs that she criticizes!
But I am glad to see a song that practically anyone can relate with (except for the Hollywood starts themselves. :D )
same here, took me a few listens to really like the song
same here, took me a few listens to really like the song
Unfortunately people are two faced nowadays and will talk down-to-earth and act like they can lead a simple life when , really all they want to and will do is strive for the "high life"
Unfortunately people are two faced nowadays and will talk down-to-earth and act like they can lead a simple life when , really all they want to and will do is strive for the "high life"
Me too I hated it and mocked it because I thought she said YOU will never be royal let me be your ruler which made her sound like a brat
Me too I hated it and mocked it because I thought she said YOU will never be royal let me be your ruler which made her sound like a brat
"Music and Art" description to this song in Youtube:
I will probably have to explain this in parts and more than one post. First, I can explain what the song means and then the music video. The song is about how pop culture does not accurately reflect the reality of the way the average human being lives. She uses herself as an example of a normal, everyday suburban-type person- describes how she’s never seen a diamond, lives in a boring town (“no postcode envy”)... Then she goes on to name many common rap/pop song references - “but every song’s like ‘gold teeth, Grey Goose (that’s an expensive alcohol btw) trippin’ in the bathroom, bloodstains, ball gowns, trashing the hotel room… crystal, Maybach (expensive car brand), diamonds on your tongue piece, jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.. These things, or things similar to what she lists, are all things we hear singers/rappers bragging about.Most entertainers brag about all their bitches and all their money, but in reality, we (the listeners) will never have access to any of these things.But,as Lorde says, we aren't caught up in that “love affair” with decadence and money to spare.How many average high school or college kids will ever own a huge ballgown, a private island or be able afford solid gold teeth? Not many.. Yet there are literally hundreds of songs that brag about these things - and we listen to them on an everyday basis. See the contradiction? We’re normal people – we sometimes do nothing more interesting than standing around in a convenience store playing with lighters or staring at fridges full of diet Pepsi, we shop at Walmart, and we try to make ends meet – yet we listen to all these fantastical songs... and watch all these music videos that have nothing to do with our lifestyles or our realties. Now for the music video – all those rap videos are full of bikini girls, money stacks, gold chains, etc. This video has nothing to do with any of those things – instead, it’s a bold, realistic reflection of day-to-day human life... Swimming in swimming pools, standing on tennis courts, riding a a subway, listening to music in our bedrooms – these are things that a normal person would do. Again, it’s a song about that fact that our pop culture is nothing like our reality, and it’s a music video about the everyday human life, not a idealistic pop culture fantasy... The End, I'm done. Thank Jesus.
This is what i think. Very nice.
This is what i think. Very nice.
great summary, I think specific parts have deeper thought involved, including other references, and references to others, but for an overall summary, you just about hit both song and video on the head... great summary of the main topic of the song....
great summary, I think specific parts have deeper thought involved, including other references, and references to others, but for an overall summary, you just about hit both song and video on the head... great summary of the main topic of the song....
Im kinda irritated over all the commentary here.
Why do almost everybody CUT OFF their interpretation at the second ref?
I wanna talk about THIS part right here:
"And we'll never be 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, 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 "
I think we can all agree by now that the song starts by telling thats shes from humble quarters and consistently making references to the rap/pop-elite (wich she calls the "royals") and what they sing about and what they do, and how her own life will never be like theirs No, she has found a different kind of buzz. Thtas the EASY part.
Now comes this section wich is like the conclusion in the song: And we'll never be royals It don't run in our blood That kind of luxe just ain't for us WE CRAVE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BUZZ
... saying that she (or they) will never be like them, its not in their blood. its just not for them, they've found something else to crave: (NOW, WHAT IS IT??)
Let me be your 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 "
... Well,. its a fantasy to rule, and shes talking to her "BABY" (this seems kinda important), let me live that fantasy. Doesnt this sound kinda sexual? At least it does to me.
If this last part is about ruling the world or making the top charts, then the whole song would be talking against itself. Shes just said thet all this is NOT for her, so why would she wanna live THAT fantasy. It just dont make sense that way.
Shes saying she and her friends has cracked the code and this is like the conclusion:
To be happy with counting your dollars at the train, to never be like the royals, to not care about "their love affairs", to not have worries ("Life is great without a care"), but to live out the fantasy of ruling her boyfriend (in bed?), he can call her Queen B. ("and I'm in love with beeing Queen") Cause this is more "her kinda buzz". Then it kinda makes sense.
This may very well be flawed, but at least Im trying to look at the part of the text everybodys so conveniently skipping, or at least not giving any weight.
But as long as nobodys going to give me another fitting idea to what she might rule, Im gonna stick with this one.
she wants to be on top in the music industry while being a real person not needing the frivolous life to go with it.... humbling, and very very smart... shes changing the standards... someone should have thought of this a long time ago.... weve been listening to glorified crap for too long.... I agree with her.....
she wants to be on top in the music industry while being a real person not needing the frivolous life to go with it.... humbling, and very very smart... shes changing the standards... someone should have thought of this a long time ago.... weve been listening to glorified crap for too long.... I agree with her.....
You absolutely nailed it. Everyone else is ignoring those exact lines: Queen Bee, baby I'll rule...
You absolutely nailed it. Everyone else is ignoring those exact lines: Queen Bee, baby I'll rule...
I am so glad someone else pointed this out! My boyfriend and I discussed how the "Fantasy" of being "Queen bee" or "Queen" is possibly her pushing against the oppression of women. Because at this point women ruling or being viewed as equals can still feel like a simple fantasy.
I am so glad someone else pointed this out! My boyfriend and I discussed how the "Fantasy" of being "Queen bee" or "Queen" is possibly her pushing against the oppression of women. Because at this point women ruling or being viewed as equals can still feel like a simple fantasy.
This song is fabulous. I interpret the song not so much as being rich (even though thats definitiely part of it), but as being popular. Coming from a high schooler's perspective, all of the cool and popular kids (or the ROYALS) are the ones who listen to music about and acutally do this kind of stuff: "gold teeth, grey goose, trippin in the bathroom, bloodstains ballgowns, trashing the hotel room". But for people like me, we dont need that. We can have fun and live life without all of those things, "we crave a different KIND of buzz." I also love when she says "we arent caught up in your love affair" because an affair is kind of like a one night stand and something that doesnt last. I think Lorde is saying that basically all of these things dont last. Like an affair, or a one night stand. And she is saying that we dont need to be a part of that.
I also think the title of her album is very interesting because when I first head of it, I thought heroin like the drug. But then i realized it was HEROINE, like a female hero. I think that was a really interesting play on words.
So thats my opinion. This song is truly brilliant and mesmerizing :)
" an affair is kind of like a one night stand and something that doesnt last"
" an affair is kind of like a one night stand and something that doesnt last"
Try telling that to my Dad. His affair lasted 8 years
Try telling that to my Dad. His affair lasted 8 years
Excellent. For me, the "queen be" quotes are precise. She wants to be popular, to be meaningful to her circles, not necessarily rich.
Excellent. For me, the "queen be" quotes are precise. She wants to be popular, to be meaningful to her circles, not necessarily rich.
This song is basically about how not everyone can live the life of the famous. She's saying that she didn't come from money, so she does not have the luxuries of the pop stars and rappers. She says that she wishes for a short period of time she could "Live that fantasy" of experiencing life without any cares and with money to blow.
The singer songwriter is only 16. Royals is about teenagers going to parties to spend time with friends and have fun. They are counting money on a train on the way as teenages do, as they don't have much money, but they are happy to just be going to see their friends. The songs that are played and are popular are from rappers and talk about stuff that these teenagers cannot relate to, especially on the other side of the world where Lorde is from (NZ). The lifestyle in these songs she is singing about, is so far removed from the teenagers reality because of the extravagantes of the lifestyles portrayed that they know it is 'bullshit'. In fact these teenagers are happy with their lot and crave a 'different kind of buzz. Time with friends. It is saying that even though these songs is not reality, it is fun to fantasise.
I totally agree!! I have many friends from Auckland and as soon as i heard this song i knew! ♡
I totally agree!! I have many friends from Auckland and as soon as i heard this song i knew! ♡
It's "Cristal"....you know, the expensive champagne that hip hop artists seem to think makes them classy? The same way they mistakenly think drinking cognac is some kind of major display of swag. Makes me laugh.
Well, I think the lyrics are pretty self-explanatory if you really look at the lyrics. The whole song is talking about the misleading of the media and popular celebrities.
I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
(Unlike Rihanna, she's never seen a diamond in real life)
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
(That's an expression that means that she had her first experience with a wedding ring in a movie)
And I'm not proud of my address, in the torn up town No post code envy
(Pretty obvious. She isn't proud of where she lives, and doesn't feel the need to 'represent' it like all the rappers do)
But every song's like gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams
(She's talking about how in songs, people are only ever talk about these materialistic things, drugs, sex, partying. Whereas in reality the closest she can come to even riding a Cadillac is in her dreams.)
But everybody's like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece. Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair
(Again, more things that music idolizes, and she will never be able to relate to.)
And we'll never be royals It don't run in our blood That kind of luxe just ain't for us We crave a different kind of buzz
(Basically, she will never be 'royal' and experience all of these 'cool' things that singers talk about. But, in all honesty, she's much happier without having experienced all of that 'it don't run in our blood...we crave a different kind of buzz')
Let me be your ruler, you can call me Queen Bee
(Queen Bee=Beyonce.)
And baby I'll rule (I'll rule I'll rule I'll rule) Let me live that fantasy
(She is saying that she wants to rule her own life, and be able to enjoy a simple life without experiencing all of the things these singers idolize, and wants the media to allow her, as a singer as well, to do so 'let me live that fantasy'.)
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.
(Before she goes to any parties, her and her friends count all of their money to make sure they'll be able to actually get in. This shows that, unlike many of the other singers, she can't just 'walk into the club', she is a normal person who doesn't have millions of dollars, and she's fine with this.)
We're bigger than we ever dreamed, and I'm in love with being queen Life is great without a care We aren't caught up in your love affair
(She's in love with being 'queen' of her own, non-royal, lifestyle, and thinks that her life is much better than their drug-party-sex filled lives)
:)
this is also a good one, only thing id add is that when she says "let me be your ruler" she uses "ruler" for its other meaning... a "ruler" to "measure" others by and you can call ME queen bee... or the new beyonce or leader of the pack.... cause shes in love with being queen... or on top....
this is also a good one, only thing id add is that when she says "let me be your ruler" she uses "ruler" for its other meaning... a "ruler" to "measure" others by and you can call ME queen bee... or the new beyonce or leader of the pack.... cause shes in love with being queen... or on top....
I have to question the genuineness of a girl of 16 who has upper middle class parents and was introduced into the music industry by virtue of her Mother's fame as a poet. She seems to lack the "street cred" all the "grey goose, tigers on a gold leash" types so yearn for. That's all.
I have to question the genuineness of a girl of 16 who has upper middle class parents and was introduced into the music industry by virtue of her Mother's fame as a poet. She seems to lack the "street cred" all the "grey goose, tigers on a gold leash" types so yearn for. That's all.
I like this comment because it correctly identifies the royals as Hip Hop Royalty.
I like this comment because it correctly identifies the royals as Hip Hop Royalty.
I would add that "caught up in your love affair" refers to Beyonce and Jay-Z, whose constant media presence induces us all to live along with it.
I would add that "caught up in your love affair" refers to Beyonce and Jay-Z, whose constant media presence induces us all to live along with it.
So, there is something of class consciousness here, but also, more interestingly is a rebellion of against a globalism that puts an obviously foreign culture (in this case, Wealthy Rappers) into the midst of teens living on a remote Pacific Island and expects them to make sense of it.
So, there is something of class consciousness here, but also, more interestingly is a rebellion of against a globalism that puts an obviously foreign culture (in this case, Wealthy Rappers) into the midst of teens living on a remote Pacific Island and expects them to make sense of it.
So, to respond to "reshelton" it's not simply...
So, to respond to "reshelton" it's not simply about money but about cultural identity. She doesn't see diamond wedding rings in part because no one gets married any more. So it's not the typical poor little rich girl whining, so much as a young person pointing at the Pop Emperors' New Bling and saying, I don't see it...it doesn't relate to my life here and now.
If anything, I'm surprised the reaction took so long.
Who wrote the lyrics to 'Royals' by Lorde?