Lorde-Molly Johnson
Lorde--Rejecting Pop Culture
Here are the lyrics to Lorde's song "Royals."
https://genius.com/Lorde-royals-lyrics
Here are the lyrics to Lorde's song "Ribs."
https://genius.com/Lorde-ribs-lyrics
Question:
How do Lorde's songs "Ribs" and "Royals" use repetition and symbolism to showcase her themes of rejecting extravangace and embracing normalcy?
In Lorde's song "Ribs," she is able to use repetition and symbolism to express the complex feelings around growing up and gaining independence, which are often not discussed but are extremely common. Through her use of repetition in this song she is able to showcase a feeling of anxiety and impending doom. This can first be shown by her repeated use of the verse, "This dream isn't feelin' sweet/We're reeling through the midnight streets/And I've never felt more alone/It feels so scary, getting old" (Lorde). Lorde repeats this verse multiple times throughout her song, she does this to express the anxiety surrounding growing up. By using repetition, she is able to recreate the overwhelming thoughts associated with anxiety. In addition, she uses symoblism to capture the same message. This is shown through the verse, "laugh until our ribs get tough" (Lorde). In this verse, Lorde is using this verse to symbolize her childhood and the innocence she felt at that time. Through these uses of symbolism and repetition Lorde is able to showcase the fear around growing up, and is embracing these feelings as normal.
In Lorde's song, "Royals" she use many pieces of symbolism to achieve her goal of rejecting extravangance and embracing normalcy. This can first be shown through her verse, "Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom/Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room" (Lorde). In this, Lorde is symbolizing the rich and extravangant lifestyle by mentioning high quality items. She uses further symbolism saying, "We count our dollars on the train to the party" (Lorde). In this, she is symbolizing her level of wealth, she is trying to express that she is not wealthy and needs to budget her money to attend events. She is attempting to show the difference from her and the wealthy, extravangnt lifestyle. Not only does she use symbolism, she also uses repetition to express her theme of rejecting extravagance. This can first be shown, "And we'll never be royals (Royals)/It don't run in our blood" (Lorde). Lorde repeats this verse multiple times throughout this song to reiterate that this level of extravagance she sees and is discussing is not normal. Lorde is able to use repetition and symbolism in "Royals" to showcase how the wealthy, extravangant lifestyle isn't normal, and that normalcy should be embraced.
Prompt 1: Consider your research so far, and write a brief paragraph explaining what cultural, political, historical, or personal circumstances you believe shape the songs, and explain how it helps you understand the songs better.
Through research, I have found that during the time period 2013-2014, there was a significant increase in the music industry as a result of an increase in production of digital music. During this time period was also when the song "Royals" was written. I believe that this spike in the music industry allowed for artists to experience a boom in production sales. This probably helped to allow for more extravangant lifetyles and purchasing more expensive items. I believe that the song was inspired by what Lorde was witnessing during this time period.
During the time that "Ribs" was written, there was a certain spark in research around adolescent mental health. This period was when there was heavy research around mental health among teenagers, specifically teenagers transitioning to adulthood. There were multiple documentaries that came out as a result of this new research. I think that Lorde wrote "Ribs" to shed more light on this research and to provide some reasoning for why these adolescents may be struggling. I believe she wrote it to help these people struggling and make it known that these anxious feelings are valid.
Prompt 2: Focus on who is speaking in the song. Is it the artist, a persona, or an imagined voice/speaker. Write a brief paragraph explaining how does the point-of-view shape your understanding of the songs or message? What might change if the song were written from a different perspective.
In both songs, Lorde is using first-person narrative to describe her experiences. The point of view in both songs is used as a way of expressing natural feelings. In "Royals" Lorde is speaking as herself, an artist, who is rejecting the extravagant lifestyle that many artists hold. Not only does she speak as herself, but she talks about how other peers around her are experiencing the same. She says, "We count our dollars on the train to the party" (Lorde). She is using her first person narrative to describe how living an extravangant lifestyle is not normal and shouldn't be expected. In the song, "Ribs," Lorde is also using first-person narrative to describe her experiences of anxiety around growing up, showing her experiences to make others feeling similar feel validated. If these songs were written from a different perspective, I feel that the meaning would change drastically. Lorde is using her voice in these songs to show others that their feelings are valid and that what is broadcasted on social media or TV is not normal. Since she is such a powerful singer, her using first-person narrative encourages others to be less afraid.
Works Cited
Lorde. "Ribs." Genius, 27 September 2013, https://genius.com/Lorde-ribs-lyrics
Lorde. "Royals." Genius, 3 June 2013, https://genius.com/Lorde-royals-lyrics
Group comment: Neil Fernandes, John Boateng, Nathan Bayton IV.
ReplyDeleteLorde grew up in New Zealand, away from all the celebrity life shown in American pop music. That distance likely influenced the song "Royals". Because of who they are and where they are from the are thought to never amount to anything shown in the lyric, "And we'll never be royals (Royals)/It don't run in our blood/That kind of luxe just ain't for us". In "Ribs," Lorde uses the symbol of aching ribs to represent the pure joy of childhood, contrasting it with the "scary" and messy reality of getting older. Lorde mentions "It feels so scary, getting old."
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ReplyDeleteI think your analysis raises an important question about how repetition and symbolism reinforce Lorde’s rejection of extravagance while embracing normalcy, and I think both songs approach this theme from slightly different but complementary angles. In “Royals,” repetition works almost like a manifesto. When Lorde repeats, “And we’ll never be royals / It don’t run in our blood” (Lorde), she turns the phrase into a declaration of identity rather than a complaint. The repetition emphasizes acceptance she is not mourning the fact that she is not wealthy; she is owning it. Likewise, the symbolic images of “Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin’ in the bathroom / Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin’ the hotel room” (Lorde) exaggerate luxury culture to the point of absurdity, making it feel empty rather than glamorous. In contrast, “Ribs” uses repetition to mirror anxiety. When she repeats, “It feels so scary getting old” (Lorde), the line mimics intrusive thoughts that cycle through someone’s mind. The symbolism of “laugh until our ribs get tough” (Lorde) reflects the fragility of youth and the desire to hold onto carefree moments. Together, these songs suggest that what truly matters is not wealth or status, but authentic emotional experiences, whether that means accepting financial normalcy in “Royals” or confronting the fear of adulthood in “Ribs.” Lorde ultimately reframes “normal” not as something inferior, but as something honest and deeply human.
ReplyDeleteHi Molly, I think you did a great job of describing how repetition causes anxiety in “Ribs,” especially in relation to overwhelming thoughts. Your description of the symbolism of “ribs” was well-written and showed good thinking. In your paragraph about “Royals,” I like how you pointed out the comparison between the luxurious symbols and counting dollars on the train. The comparison really shows how the theme of being normal and authenticity relates to the song. Some things you could do to improve your discussion. One of them would be to discuss how the repetition of the chorus in “Royals” almost seems like a challenging statement, rather than just repetitive. Another thing you could do is discuss Lorde’s age when she wrote this song, and how this could make the themes even more prevalent. The way you discussed the first-person narrative was really good, and how this relates to the themes of normalcy and authenticity.
ReplyDeleteHey, Molly, your post is very detailed and gets your point across sufficiently. All very good points are made throughout your post referencing the topic of repetition and symbolism in ribs and royals in which extravagance is rejected. The lyrics in the pre-chorus which note how extravagance is seemingly normalized in the time period of music and Lorde says, "We don't care; we aren't caught up in your love affair". She also notes to the societal view of her position in the world how she was never supposed to amount to anything. She uses royalty to symbolize success. Royalty in the song, "Royals" can also be taken in plain language when she mentions it was not in her blood to be royal. What do you think she means by "love affair" or saying she can be "your ruler"?
ReplyDeleteHi Molly!
ReplyDeleteIn both “Ribs” and “Royals,” Lorde uses repetition and symbolism to highlight her rejection of unrealistic ideals and her acceptance of normal, everyday life.
In “Ribs,” repetition emphasizes the anxiety of growing up. She repeats lines like “It feels so scary, getting old” and “I’ve never felt more alone,” which makes those feelings stand out and mirrors how anxious thoughts can replay in someone’s mind. Instead of presenting independence as exciting and perfect, she shows that it can feel overwhelming. She also uses symbolism in the line “laugh until our ribs get tough.” The “ribs” symbolize youth and carefree memories, representing the innocence of childhood. Through this imagery, Lorde shows that ordinary moments and emotions are meaningful, even if they are not glamorous.
In “Royals,” Lorde uses symbolism to represent wealth and extravagance. References to “Gold teeth, Grey Goose” and “diamonds on your timepiece” symbolize the flashy lifestyle often promoted in pop culture. In contrast, “We count our dollars on the train to the party” represents a more average and relatable reality.
Hi Molly! I agree with your analysis of the repetition in "Ribs" and "Royals" and I have a bit to add on for the song "Royals". The song states, "And we'll never be royals (Royals)/ It don't run in our blood"(Lorde). She then lists luxury things like jets, islands, diamonds, gold teeth etc. that the "royals" she refers to indulge in (Lorde). That right there is her shedding light on a distinct disconnection between the extremely wealthy and the rest of society. And I think the whole theme can be tied to the common phrase money does not buy happiness. She tries to emphasize how there's a common misconception about life of luxury. A "luxurious" life does not have to consist or be valued by material things, a luxurious life is what we individually make of it. She says "That kind of luxe just ain't for us/ We crave a different kind of buzz/Let me be your ruler (Ruler)" (Lorde). Its like saying to take charge in your life and make it what you want it to be without comparing it to the rich and wealthy.
ReplyDeleteLorde. "Royals." Genius, 3 June 2013, https://genius.com/Lorde-royals-lyrics