Lorde’s ‘Royals’ has already more than earned its keep in catapulting the New Zealand pop sensation to the global stage and now the breakout single has earned Lorde yet another record-breaking accolade.
‘Royals’ continues its reign atop the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, now crowned with the #1 spot for its sixth week running, which sees Lorde earning the longest domination on the US chart by a lead female artist, ever, according to Billboard.
The Kiwi singer-songwriter has surpassed the previously held victor, Alanis Morissette and her breakout 1995 single ‘You Oughta Know’, with the news following on from making Lorde the first woman in 17 years to top the Billboard Alternative Songs chart – breaking a drought that’s lasted since before she was even in nappies – when it first hit #1 back in August.
As well as unseating Morissette, Lorde’s ‘Royals’ also surpasses the likes of Sinead O’Connor, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Suzanne Vega, and Tracy Bonham – all #1 scoring lead solo women in the Alternative Chart’s quarter century history, additionally putting Lorde in an exclusive club of female solo artists, who collectively have posted just 10 #1 hits in that 25 years.
Not only that, ‘Royals’ is currently sitting at #3 on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart, just behind Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ and Katy Perry’s Roar (at #2 and #1 respectively), while edging out the combined might of Jay Z and Justin Timberlake (‘Holy Grail’ at #5), Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, and Eminem in the Top 10.
‘Royals’ has further steamrolled the American charts with Neilsen Soundscan putting it a total 991,000 downloads to date as well as topping the US Hot Rock Songs chart for two weeks and counting.
The new hallmark achievement posits the New Zealand musician, real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor, as both US chart-conquering Gotye and his singing partner Kimbra rolled into one, which was how rock promoter Denis Blair put it last month; “Not since we launched Gotye have we seen such instant reaction,” he told Billboard.
Love Eminem?
Get the latest Eminem news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
Closer to home, The Love Club EP – from which ‘Royals’ is drawn – has gone double platinum, while follow-up single ‘Tennis Court’ also performed strongly in Australia as well as in Lordes’ native New Zealand.
In addition to gaining huge international exposure and her surprise turn at Splendour In The Grass as a late addition to the bill following Frank Ocean’s cancellation, Lorde has also earned celebrity approval from the likes of Grimes, Moby, and even the Backstreet Boys and Selena Gomez, making her easily one of the year’s biggest music success stories.
The landmark chart news also arrives just days ahead of the release of Lodre’s debut album, Pure Heroine, and her four-date tour of Australia next month presented by Laneway Festival organisers.
Lorde released the first new single from the 10-track LP over the weekend, titled ‘Team’, which once again shows the 16-year-old has an ear for natty pop hooks, off-beat lyrics, and a way of spinning smart pop.
With a touted Flume collaboration also on the horizon, it’s unlikely that Lorde’s star is set to descend any time soon.
(Image: Ross Brown. Source: Billboard)
Longest Leading #1s By Solo Women On US Alternative Songs Chart
via Billboard
Weeks At No. 1, Title, Artist, Chart Date Reached No. 1
Six (to-date), “Royals,” Lorde, Aug. 24, 2013
Five, “You Oughta Know,” Alanis Morissette, July 22, 1995
Three, “Mother Mother,” Tracy Bonham, June 8, 1996
Three, “Love and Anger,” Kate Bush, Dec. 9, 1989
Two, “Ironic,” Alanis Morissette, March 16, 1996
Two, “God,” Tori Amos, March 19, 1994
One, “Hand in My Pocket,” Alanis Morissette, Oct. 14, 1995
One, “Blood Makes Noise,” Suzanne Vega, Oct. 10, 1992
One, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” Sinead O’Connor, May 12, 1990
One, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor, March 31, 1990
Lorde Australian Tour 2013
Presented by the Laneway Festival in association with the Harbour Agency
With special guest Oliver Tank
Wed 16 Oct – The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
Tickets through 1300 762 545 / www.oztix.com.au
Thurs 17 Oct – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Tickets through (02) 9550 3666 / www.metrotheatre.com.au
Sat 19 Oct – Zierholz @ UC, Canberra ACT
Tickets through 1300 762 545 / www.oztix.com.au
Mon 21 Oct – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Tickets through (03) 9427 9198 / www.cornerhotel.com
