Lorde’s 2013 breakout hit “Royals” shook up pop music with a sharp contrast to the luxury-filled world it often celebrates. Released as a single from her debut album Pure Heroine, its lyrics push back against the idea that wealth and excess equal success, setting a new standard for authenticity in mainstream pop. The song’s meaning centers on rejecting materialism and carving out an identity that doesn’t depend on fame or money.
This article breaks down “Royals” section by section. We’ll look at what each part of the song is really saying, what emotions or social ideas are hidden underneath the words, and how the message challenges common music trends.
“Royals” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: Growing Up Without Wealth
I’ve never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
These lines paint a clear image of someone who hasn’t experienced real luxury.
“Cut my teeth” suggests learning about wealth through fiction instead of real life. It shows how far removed this world is from her own reality.
And I’m not proud of my address
In a torn-up town, no postcode envy
She admits to living in a rough area, not glamorous or desirable.
The phrase “no postcode envy” flips the idea of status. She doesn’t care about comparing zip codes, even if others do.
Pre-Chorus: Mocking Pop Culture’s Obsession with Riches
But every song’s like
Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin’ in the bathroom
Here, Lorde calls out pop lyrics filled with over-the-top images: gold grills, expensive vodka, and drug-fueled chaos.
It’s a swipe at the fantasy that wealth equals happiness or fun.
Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin’ the hotel room
We don’t care, we’re driving Cadillacs in our dreams
These lines add to the overblown chaos, like rich people partying recklessly while staying detached from consequences. But she doesn’t want that.
“Driving Cadillacs in our dreams” shows that her fantasies are separate from reality, and she’s fine keeping it that way.
But everybody’s like
Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece
Now she lists more flashy symbols, like top-shelf champagne, luxury cars, and watches covered in diamonds.
These are status symbols used to measure success in pop culture.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash
We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair
The image of “tigers on a gold leash” exaggerates how ridiculous this wealth obsession has become.
She draws a hard line: she’s not interested in chasing that lifestyle or pretending it’s important.
Chorus: Embracing the Outsider Role
And we’ll never be royals
It don’t run in our blood
These lines hit the core of the song’s meaning.
Lorde isn’t trying to fit into a world that was never meant for her.
Being rich and famous isn’t in her background or DNA.
That kind of luxe just ain’t for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
She rejects luxury altogether.
What excites her is something deeper, possibly art, friendship, or personal freedom.
The word “buzz” suggests a thrill that comes from something real, not expensive.
Let me be your ruler
You can call me queen bee
This part flips the idea of power.
She might not be rich, but she still owns her space.
“Queen bee” suggests control and confidence, not actual royalty.
And baby, I’ll rule
Let me live that fantasy
She creates her own fantasy, one not based on wealth, but on choosing her own path.
The dream is hers, not borrowed from what’s on TV or Instagram.
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Verse 2: Making Peace with Humble Roots
My friends and I, we’ve cracked the code
We count our dollars on the train to the party
Even though they don’t have much money, they’ve figured out what really matters.
They stay grounded and honest about their situation, even while trying to enjoy life.
And everyone who knows us knows
That we’re fine with this, we didn’t come from money
There’s pride in this line.
They’re not trying to fake anything. They know who they are, and they’re okay with not being rich.
Bridge: A New Kind of Power
We’re bigger than we ever dreamed
And I’m in love with being queen
She celebrates confidence and ambition, but it’s not based on wealth.
It’s based on being true to herself and finding success on her own terms.
Life is great without a care
We aren’t caught up in your love affair
She closes with a powerful rejection of pop culture’s obsession with money.
She’s happier without it and doesn’t feel like she’s missing out.
“Royals” Song Meaning: Luxury Isn’t the Goal
“Royals” takes aim at how pop music pushes wealth as the ultimate dream. Instead of chasing that, Lorde lifts up realness, simplicity, and staying grounded. The song points out how disconnected most people are from the fantasy lives they see in music and media.
This could also be about creating your own identity instead of following what others tell you to want. The lyrics show someone choosing freedom over fame, and confidence over cash. It’s not bitterness. It’s choosing a different kind of dream.
Songs Like “Royals”
Here are a few songs that share a similar message or feel:
1. “Team” by Lorde
“Team” keeps the same energy of rejecting pop culture expectations. It celebrates real friends and real life over fake glamor.
2. “Price Tag” by Jessie J
“Price Tag” sends a clear message that happiness isn’t something you can buy. It challenges the money-focused mindset of the industry.
Related: Best Songs About Money
3. “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
“Thrift Shop” flips the fashion world on its head. Instead of designer brands, it celebrates secondhand style and individuality.
4. “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy ft. Bruno Mars
“Billionaire” plays with the idea of wanting money but adds humor and honesty. It’s more about the fantasy than the lifestyle.
Conclusion: Rich in Identity, Not Dollars
“Royals” is a bold rejection of what the world tells us we should want. Instead of trying to fit in with rich and famous fantasies, it creates its own version of power and success.
It’s a reminder that being real is more valuable than looking rich. Lorde’s message still hits today because it dares to say: you don’t need luxury to rule your world.
You can listen to “Royals” on Spotify and Amazon.
Be sure to check out more of our Song Interpretations!