Pure Heroine received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who commended its songwriting and production, praise was additionally placed on Lorde's vocal ability. The record debuted at number one on the Official New Zealand Music Chart and the Australian ARIA Charts. Pure Heroine performed strongly on national record charts internationally, reaching number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 and charting within the top-ten in eight additional countries. Pure Heroine was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. The album was also noted for its impact on present-day pop music and its challenge on modern-day artists.
Tennis Court
Lorde Lyrics
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Making smart with their words again, well I'm bored
Because I'm doing this for the thrill of it, killin' it
Never not chasing a million things I want
And I am only as young as the minute is full of it
Getting pumped up from the little bright things I bought
But I know they'll never own me (Yeah)
Baby be the class clown
I'll be the beauty queen in tears
It's a new art form showing 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)
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 filling up 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, loving 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 showing 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)
It looked alright in the pictures (yeah)
Getting caught soft with the triple is it
I fall apart, with all my heart
And you can watch from your window
And you can watch from your window
Baby be the class clown
I'll be the beauty queen in tears
It's a new art form showing 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)
The lyrics of Lorde's "Tennis Court" evoke the restlessness and ennui of youth. Lorde critiques the superficiality of modern society, as people make small talk, and strive to look cool and be the best. She herself is in pursuit of the thrill of life, wanting to do a million things. She finds fleeting satisfaction in buying material things and living in the moment, but ultimately she knows that she cannot be owned by material things.
Lorde's song contrasts the pressure to conform to societal norms with the joys of rebelling against them. She suggests that one form of rebellion is to express indifference and distance from the world, showing how little we care because we can be happy despite our anxiety and fear. The chorus comes in with the refrain of "Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah," implying that by talking about our problems, we can lessen their hold on us.
In the second verse, Lorde continues to contrast her desire for fun and spontaneity with the pressure to live up to expectations. She refers to her "boys," likely referring to her friends, who are pressuring her to take things more seriously. She realizes that this pressure is temporary, and that she will soon have to face the consequences of her actions. The song concludes with the repeated chorus, encouraging listeners to talk about their problems and to refuse to be owned by societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you think that it's boring how people talk
I'm tired of people just talking for the sake of talking.
Making smart with their words again, well I'm bored
I'm not impressed by people trying to sound intelligent.
Because I'm doing this for the thrill of it, killin' it
I'm doing what I love and kicking butt at it.
Never not chasing a million things I want
I'm always striving for more, never satisfied.
And I am only as young as the minute is full of it
I'm living in the moment and feeling youthful.
Getting pumped up from the little bright things I bought
I find joy in small, material things that make me feel good.
But I know they'll never own me (Yeah)
I won't let material things or consumerism consume me.
Baby be the class clown
Be silly and have fun.
I'll be the beauty queen in tears
I'll be the one with the emotional depth.
It's a new art form showing people how little we care (yeah)
We're showing a lack of concern for others in our actions and choices.
We're so happy, even when we're smilin' out of fear
We're putting on a brave face and pretending everything is okay, even when it's not.
Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah (yeah)
Let's go somewhere we can be ourselves and talk without worrying about what others think.
Pretty soon I'll be getting on my first plane
I'll be experiencing new things and traveling for the first time.
I'll see the veins of my city like they do in space
I'll have a new perspective on familiar surroundings.
But my head's filling up with the wicked games, up in flames
I'm getting caught up in negative thoughts and emotions.
How can I fuck with the fun again, when I'm known
How can I enjoy life again when I have more recognition and fame?
And my boys trip me up with their heads again, loving them
My friends are messing with me but I still love and appreciate them.
Everything's cool when we're all in line, for the throne
Everything seems good and easy when we're all on the same level.
But I know it's not forever (Yeah)
Nothing lasts forever and things are bound to change.
It looked alright in the pictures (yeah)
Things may seem good at first glance but the reality can be different.
Getting caught soft with the triple is it
Getting caught up in my emotions and feeling vulnerable.
I fall apart, with all my heart
I feel like I'm breaking down emotionally.
And you can watch from your window
Others can watch me struggle from afar.
And talk it up like yeah (yeah)
Pretend everything is fine and talk positively.
Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah (Yeah)
Let's go somewhere we can be ourselves and escape from our problems.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Joel Little, Ella Marija Lani Yelich O'Connor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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