Joel Kefali directed the music video for " Royals " which premiered on Lorde 's YouTube channel on 12 May 2013 . It consists mostly of scenes of normal teenagers doing unexceptional things shot in slow motion . " Royals " won awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards as well as the APRA Silver Scroll Award . A live mashup with Disclosure and AlunaGeorge 's song " White Noise " at the Brit Awards was released as a charity single in 2014 . In the media , the song has been credited for inspiring some artists to adopt its minimalist sound , and has been called an anthem for millennials
56th Annual Grammy Awards
56th Annual Grammy Awards
Royals (song)