The 20 Best Lorde Songs

From the intoxicating beat of ‘Royals’ to the immersive vibes of ‘The Louvre’, we’ve curated the 20 best Lorde songs, bound to pull you into a whirlwind of music magic, whether you’re a diehard fan or a first-time listener.

Since her debut in 2013, Lorde, the audacious Kiwi singer-songwriter, has blessed us with a plethora of hits that have consistently redefined the contours of the music world. To celebrate her artistic genius, here is a list of the 20 best Lorde songs.

1. “Royals” by Lorde

Lorde’s hit single “Royals” took over the radio airwaves and held the number one spot on the Billboard chart for weeks on end. But what is it about this catchy tune that has people captivated?

Well, it’s Lorde’s unapologetic lyrics that challenge the societal norms we’ve grown to accept. She critiques the extravagance of today’s pop stars and ridicules our obsession with wealth and status symbols.

She sings about how those who live in luxury often have no idea what it is like to experience true happiness or joy. In general, the song critiques our materialistic society and the obsession with wealth and status.

2. “400 Lux” by Lorde

People loved “400 Lux,” and why not? This song has got a fun beat and deep lyrics, proving that Lorde is still a music queen.

In this song, she dreams up a life where everything is perfect. The sun is brighter, colors are more intense, and everything just fits perfectly.

Lying on the grass, looking at the sky, and feeling happy – that’s what she sings about. It’s a song that makes you dream of being in that happy place.

3. “Writer In The Dark” by Lorde

Few things are as cathartic as diving into your creative side, especially when the rest of the world feels like it’s crumbling around you. For Lorde, that darkness was a necessary part of her songwriting process for her album, “Melodrama.” 

The song “Writer In The Dark” in the album is one of Lorde’s most emotional tracks to date. She talks about feeling like a “writer in the dark” who can’t find her voice. The song is raw and truthful, showing us Lorde’s skill as a songwriter.

4. “The Louvre” by Lorde

Lorde released “The Louvre” in 2017. The Louvre is a famous art gallery in Paris, and in this song, she compares love to a museum where you can see lots of different pieces.

Each one is beautiful and unique in its own way. In general, the song is about a new crush, the excitement of falling in love, new beginnings, obsessions, and sacrifices.

5. “Perfect Places” by Lorde

“Perfect Places” came out in 2017, as the second single from Lorde’s album “Melodrama.” It’s a catchy electronic pop song with cool beats. The song is all about the ups and downs of being a teenager.

Lorde writes about the struggles and pressures that teenagers experience. The song greatly narrates how teenagers party and have fun while searching for their perfect places in this world.

6. “Tennis Court” by Lorde

The “Tennis Court” was written by Lorde and released in 2013 as a song in her debut album, Pure Heroine. This art-pop song has similarities to Lorde’s “Royals,” where she talks about the negativities that come with her popularity and how she handles them.

From the get-go, Lorde sings about not wanting to be owned by public opinion. She’s different, she’s unique, and she’s not about to follow the crowd. This song is all about standing out and owning it.

7. “Team” by Lorde

“Team” is a tune that makes you feel like you belong. It’s all about camaraderie and living freely in an unknown city. Interestingly, this song is based on a dream Lorde had.

In this dream, teenagers run the world, free to live as they please. This sense of youthful liberation is beautifully captured in the song. “Team” is another hit from Lorde’s album “Pure Heroine.”

8. “Supercut” by Lorde

“Supercut” feels like a string of memories from a past relationship. The good times become the bad times, and everything in between is replayed over and over.

These memory snippets replay in Lorde’s mind, reminding her of mistakes and missed opportunities. “Supercut” is a stunningly melancholic tune from Lorde’s 2017 album “Melodrama.” It’s a perfect example of Lorde’s ability to create songs that are both lovely and haunting.

9. “Ribs” by Lorde

“Ribs” from Lorde’s “Pure Heroine” album is a straight-up confession of her fears. Unlike other tracks, she doesn’t hide her feelings behind metaphors.

She sings about her fear of being alone and getting old. The song’s deeply personal lyrics and mesmerizing melody have stuck with listeners since 2013.

10. “Liability” by Lorde

In “Liability,” Lorde opens up about her struggles with fame. She’s not comfortable with being a public figure and worries that people see her as a problem, not a solution.

Despite these doubts, she keeps pushing forward. The raw honesty in this song makes it easy for anyone who’s ever felt out of place to connect with it. We’ve all been there, and Lorde gets it.

11. “Yellow Flicker Beat” by Lorde

“Yellow Flicker Beat” is a powerhouse hit from our girl Lorde. This track popped up in 2014, as part of the soundtrack for the film “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1”. Climbing to number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, this song was all over the airwaves.

This electropop anthem channels the movie’s protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. It’s all about rising strong, healing from past wounds, and stepping into battle. Lorde’s got the magic to tell a story through her tunes, and this song is proof!

12. “Glory and Gore” by Lorde

Next, we’ve got “Glory and Gore,” another gem from “Pure Heroine.” Lorde channels her inner gladiator, singing about the lengths we go to for fame.

She talks about bloodthirsty crowds craving attention and the hunger to be number one. But her message? Don’t get lost in the pursuit of fame or infamy. What matters is what you achieve through hard work and passion – the kind of success that nobody can take from you.

13. “Solar Power” by Lorde

Compared to the many other songs Lorde has written, which appear to be gloomy and sad, “Solar Power” is a bright song that talks about summer and new beginnings associated with the rise of the sun after the cold days.

Featuring gentle guitar strums instead of her typical drum beats, this song feels like a breath of fresh air. Released in June 2021, “Solar Power” was a summer anthem that marked a fresh start for Lorde.

14. “A World Alone” by Lorde

In the song “A World Alone,” Lorde sings about how we create and destroy our own realities. Her thoughts on the world and life, her experiences and memories of the people she’s met, and the places she’s been all combine to form this moving yet lyrical narrative.

She talks about the feelings of isolation and loneliness and how we all feel like we’re the only ones who feel that way, but we’re not. Lorde writes with such passion and detail that it’s hard not to feel like you’re reading her thoughts on paper.

15. “Sober” by Lorde

“Sober,” a track from Lorde’s “Melodrama” album, dropped in early 2018. The lyrics revolve around Lorde’s struggle to keep her life in control despite her youth and the temptations of partying.

It’s a candid take on the battle to stay clear-headed in a world that often glamorizes substance use. The honesty in this song is raw and real – just another reason why we love Lorde.

16. “Bravado” by Lorde

“Bravado,” launched into the world in 2013, revolves around the concept of feigning bravery when you’re anything but. It’s all about donning a mask of strength when the world expects you to be unfaltering, even when fear and vulnerability are your reality.

She talks about how people expect her to be strong and never falter, but in reality, she is just like everyone else and feels fear and pain. Despite this, she still strives to be brave and push through her fears. 

17. “Buzzcut Season” by Lorde

“Buzzcut Season” is another electropop song from Lorde’s album “Pure Heroine,” released in 2013. Its vibe is reminiscent of a tropical summer spent with your childhood buddies.

This song talks about a summer experience Lorde has together with her friends while they were still young. From this, Lorde tells how ridiculous modern life is with all the “war-driven way of life” people live.

18. “Homemade Dynamite” by Lorde

“Homemade Dynamite” comes from Lorde’s second album, “Melodrama.” The track’s got a catchy beat and Lorde’s raw voice doing its magic. It paints the picture of a wild, joyous house party with friends.

Featuring contributions from Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA, this song is a celebration of those unforgettable moments spent with your crew.

19. “White Teeth Teens” by Lorde

“White Teeth Teens,” from Lorde’s debut album “Pure Heroine,” explores teenage imperfections and how they navigate the world. It brings teeth into focus, a recurring symbol in the album. This tune is all about embracing your flaws and thriving despite them.

20. “The Love Club” by Lorde

In “The Love Club,” Lorde sings about losing and finding herself while venturing into a new social circle. The electropop track, released in 2013, reflects an experience where she drifted towards a new friend group, only to realize the importance of her roots and old friends.

Final Thoughts

Although Lorde is just in her 20s, she has already accomplished a great deal in her career. She is a genius, and her songs reflect that. She has a fantastic voice and writes lyrics that are both meaningful and interesting. If you haven’t given her music a listen,  start with the top 20 songs listed here. You won’t be disappointed.

Image credit: By Neon Tommy – https://www.flickr.com/photos/neontommy/13962917674, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63846550