Royals
-Lorde Lyrics

I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I have never seen a real diamond, physically present before me.

I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
My only exposure to extravagant jewelry was through films, specifically wedding scenes.

And I'm not proud of my address
I am not content nor satisfied with my current living situation.

In a torn up town, no postcode envy
I come from a dilapidated, underprivileged area and do not resent others for their wealth.

But every song's like
Most popular music repeatedly highlights

Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Themes of ostentation, luxury consumption, and recklessness, such as golden dental implants, expensive vodka and drug use while in lavatory spaces.

Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room
Concepts of opulence, elegant clothing, and wilful damage or smashing of hotel rooms.

We don't care
We do not feel emotion or attachment towards such excesses.

We're driving Cadillacs in our dreams
We formulate scenarios in our minds where we own and drive luxurious vehicles.

But everybody's like
However, it appears that everyone else is continually focused on

Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece
Items like high-end champagne, luxurious cars, and diamond-encrusted watches.

Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash
Things such as traveling by private planes, owning islands, and having pet tigers on leashes made out of gold.

We don't care
I and those around me do not feel drawn, interested or impressed by those things.

We aren't caught up in your love affair
I do not have a romantic interest in things like wealth and material goods to the extent that others seem to.

And we'll never be royals (royals)
I and my peers will never be members of royal families, inheritors of power and money.

It don't run in our blood
Luxury and untold wealth are not established family inheritance consistent with our bloodline.

That kind of luxe just ain't for us
That type of opulent and luxurious lifestyle is in no way for us.

We crave a different kind of buzz
We long for an alternative kind of pleasure, one that has nothing to do with material things.

Let me be your ruler (ruler)
Allow me to be the person in charge, the one who governs.

You can call me queen bee
You may refer to me as the dominant leader, comparable to a queen bee in a bee colony.

And baby, I'll rule (I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule)
And baby, I will maintain that power and control indefinitely.

Let me live that fantasy
Allow me the freedom to imagine and indulge in that idealized reality.

My friends and I, we've cracked the code
Me and my companions have figured out how to navigate life without seeking excessive materialism.

We count our dollars on the train to the party
We manage our finances carefully, even counting our money whilst travelling by train to social gatherings.

And everyone who knows us knows
We are recognizable and familiar to everyone who is aware of our presence.

That we're fine with this, we didn't come from money
That we are content with our lives; not having a history of monetary wealth does not bother us.

Oh
expression of awe or admiration

We're bigger than we ever dreamed
We have exceeded our expectations of what was possible for ourselves

And I'm in love with being queen
and I love the feeling of having power and control over my life

Life is great without a care
Our lives are wonderful and full despite not caring for material objects