Grammys 2014: Lorde's 'Royals' wins song of the year

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Hip-hop siren and entrepreneur Beyonce opens the Grammys with husband and hip-hop mogul Jay Z, singing the track “Drunk in Love.” The pair amass massive cheers from the audience. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Nine-time Grammy winner and singer-songwriter John Legend performs his single “All of Me.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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LL Cool J introduces himself as host and talks about music’s power to unite people across the world. “Make some beautiful noise,” he says before handing it off to the evening’s first (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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“Pitch Perfect” actress Anna Kendrick and singer-producer seven-time Grammy nominee Pharrell Williams introduce the nominees for new artist. The pair also talk Oscar advice. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Rapper and producer duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis accept the award for new artist, thanking their fans and reminding them that they made their album “The Heist” without a record album. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde delivers her chart-topping single “Royals,” up for record of the year. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Country singer Hunter Hayes sings his track “Invisible” onstage. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Columbian musician Juanes and actress Anna Faris present the award for pop/duo group performance. (Matt Sayles/Invision/Associated Press)

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French electronica duo Daft Punk wins the award for pop/duo group performance, as Pharrell Williams accepts the award on “the robots’ behalf.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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“Philomena” actor, writer and producer Steve Coogan makes a joke about the choice to either reunite Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney or the Jonas Brothers. He introduces Katy Perry and Juicy J, and manages to sneak in a bit about his film “Philomena,” as “tacky” as it might be. (Matt Sayles/ Invision / Associated Press)

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Pop maven Katy Perry bursts into her latest smash hit, “Darkhorse,” featuring Juicy J. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Yoko Ono in the audience during the 2014 Grammy Awards at Staples Center. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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In one of the night’s first unique collaborations, R&B singer Robin Thicke teams up with rock band Chicago to perform the medley “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”/”Beginnings”/”Saturday in the Park”/”Blurred Lines.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Musicians Keith Urban, left, and Gary Clark Jr. perform “Cop Car.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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“Ride Along” actor Kevin Hart and singer-songwriter Charlie Wilson announce the nominees for best rock song. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic & Pat Smear accept the award for rock song “Cut Me Some Slack.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Seven-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift delivers a performance playing the piano and singing her ballad “All Too Well.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Bruno Mars introduces singer Pink.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Edgy pop singer Pink rocks the stage -- and the ceiling -- with indie-pop band Fun.’s Nate Ruess for a mash-up performance of “Try”/”Just Give Me a Reason.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Musicians Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath speak onstage. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Musician Ringo Starr performs onstage. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ariana Grande and Miguel present the nominees for pop solo performance. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

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New Zealand singer Lorde accepts the Grammy for pop solo performance. “This is the one thing that I did not expect from tonight,” Lorde says. “So thank you so much.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Jamie Foxx presents the nominees for best rap/song collaboration, and sprinkles in his own thoughts throughout. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Hip-hop mogul Jay Z wins rap/song collaboration for his track “Holy Grail,” featuring Justin Timberlake. As the last line in his speech, Jay Z tells his daughter, Ivy Blue, “Look, Daddy got a gold sippy cup for you.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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In another one of the most anticipated collaborations, hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar teams with alternative-rock band Imagine Dragons to perform a mash-up of songs “Radioactive Teaser” / “M.A.D.D. City” /”Radioactive.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Country newcomer Kacey Musgraves sings her tune “Follow Your Arrow.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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“August: Osage County” actress Julia Roberts introduces the Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Paul McCartney and Ringo Star of the Beatles perform “Queenie Eye,” and receive a standing ovation for their work. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Latin Grammy winners Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan present the nominees for pop vocal album. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Bruno Mars wins pop vocal album for “Unorthodox Jukebox.” He dedicates the award to his mother.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Willie Nelson, left, and Kris Kristofferson. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kacey Musgraves wins the Grammy for country album, for “Same Trailer Different Park.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Country singers Martina McBride and Zac Brown present the nominees for country album. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Neil Patrick Harris introduces a performance by Pharrell Williams, Daft Punk and Stevie Wonder. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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French electronica duo Daft Punk, with vocalist Pharrell Williams and guitarist Nile Rodgers, team up with Stevie Wonder to perform “Get Lucky.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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French electronica duo Daft Punk, with vocalist Pharrell Williams and guitarist Nile Rodgers, team up with R&B sensation Stevie Wonder to perform “Get Lucky.” (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Pop star Sara Bareilles with legendary singer-songwriter Carole King perform the song “Beautiful & Brave.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Singer-songwriter Lorde, left, and songwriter Joel Little accept the Song of the Year award for “Royals.” (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Actor Jared Leto honors musicans who died last year and introduces a performance by heavy-metal band Metallica with classical Chinese pianist Lang Lang. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Classical pianist Lang Lang of China, left, teams up with heavy-metal band Metallica to perform the song “One” for a once-in-a-lifetime Grammy performance. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Musical artists Smokey Robinson, right, and Steven Tyler present the nominees for Record of the Year. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Musicians Pharrell Williams, left, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo of Daft Punk, and Nile Rodgers accept the Record of the Year award for “Get Lucky.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Queen Latifah introduces a performance of “Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, with Mary Lambert, Trombone Shorty and Madonna. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

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Rapper Macklemore, singers Mary Lambert and Madonna, producer Ryan Lewis and Queen Latifah gather after their performance of “Same Love.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Audience members participate in a same-sex wedding during a performance of “Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Trombone Shorty and Madonna. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

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Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang gives a Van Cliburn tribute, and plays Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1.” (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Miranda Lambert and Billie Joe Armstrong pay tribute to the Everly Brothers in their performance of the song “When Will I Be Loved.” (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Olivia Harrison, left, Alicia Keys and Yoko Ono present the nominees for album of the year. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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From left, musicians Nile Rodgers, Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk, Paul Williams, Pharrell Williams, and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo of Daft Punk accept the album of the year award for “Random Access Memories.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Musician Dave Grohl performs with Queens of the Stone Age. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Host Cyndi Lauper addresses the audience at the 56th Grammys pre-telecast show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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The Larry Batiste Orchestra opens the Grammys pre-telecast show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Neil Tesser accepts the Grammy for liner notes. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Jennifer Gasoi accepts the Grammy for children’s album. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Singer Tye Tribbett accepts the gospel song award for “If He Did It Before ... Same God (Live).” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Singer Tasha Cobbs accepts the gospel/contemporary Christian music performance award for “Break Every Chain (Live).” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Cedric Gervais accepts the Grammy for remix recording, non-classical. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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La Marisoul of La Santa Cecilia gives an acceptance speech after winning a Grammy for Latin rock, urban or alternative album. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Members of La Santa Cecilia. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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The 56th Grammys pre-telecast show at the Nokia Theatre, at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

By Mikael Wood

Jan. 26, 2014 7:40 PM PT

“Royals,” Lorde’s deadpan indictment of pop-star consumption run amok, was named song of the year Sunday at the 56th Grammy Awards, extending the success of a tune that spent nine straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

A songwriting prize, the Grammy went to Lorde (born Ella Yelich-O’Connor) and Joel Little, who also produced the track. In its recorded form, “Royals” was nominated as record of the year and in the pop solo performance category; Lorde’s album “Pure Heroine” earned a nod as pop vocal album too.

“Everybody’s like Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece / Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash,” Lorde sings, “We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair.”

FULL COVERAGE: Grammy Awards 2014

“Royals” beat out Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” Katy Perry’s “Royals,” “Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink featuring Nate Ruess and “Same Love” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert for song of the year. Last year, Fun. won the prize for its smash hit “We Are Young”; other recent recipients include Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum.

The Grammys are determined by about 13,000 voting members. The eligibility period for nominated recordings was Oct. 1, 2012, to Sept. 30, 2013. The 56th awards are being held at Staples Center and telecast on CBS. They are broadcast live except for viewers on the West Coast. The latest headlines and any breaking news will be posted here on Pop & Hiss.

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