11 Truly Royal Songs | Playlist

11 Truly Royal Songs is comprised of 11 songs that feature royal-related words in their song titles, such as “king,” “queen,” or “princess” among others.

Ah, a most royal playlist is at your hands today, if you choose to partake it! The criteria for this particular playlist is that the song title must contain terminology related to royalty.  Terminology includes king, queen, prince, princess, and of course the word royal itself.  Without further ado, put that crown on your head and grab a seat on your throne (not the toilet) and prepare to experience the perks of royalty!

1. Anderson East, “King for a Day”

Encore • Elektra • 2018

“King for a Day” is a mid-tempo ballad that oozes with soul.  Think of this as a combination of rock, southern soul, and fittingly, blue-eyed soul. Anderson East sounds beastly, exhibiting ample soul and grittiness. While the vocals are the crowning achievement, there are a number of parts that make “King for a Day” a gem.  The songwriting is sincere, capped off by a memorable chorus. The production is old-school, without sounding anachronistic, incorporating horns, organs, and real drums.

2. Jay Rock, “King’s Dead”

Ft. Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake

Black Panther the Album Music from and Inspired By • Interscope • 2018

Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake join forces for hard-nosed banger “King’s Dead”, the second single from Black Panther the Album Music from and Inspired By. From the start, the beat is trunk-rattling. Kendrick Lamar drops a ferocious hook.  Jay Rock gets ‘first blood’ with the first verse, matching the toughness of the backdrop. Future follows, with a variation on the hook, assisted by Kendrick Lamar.  He’s a perfect fit – this sounds like his elite, outlandish hooks.

“Fuck his baby mama tryna sneak diss
I took her to my penthouse, then I freaked it
I haven’t made my mind up, should I keep it?
I got big dog status, it ain’t no secret.”

The bridge, mostly performed by Future, is bizarre, including the famous lyric, “Slob on [me] knob.” Later, James Blake initiates the second part of the song, in all his enigmatic, electronic excellence.  Lamar then proceeds to go H.A.M. on the second verse of the song.  The beat and overall sound remains hard-hitting.

“Red light, green light, red light, green light...
Fast cars, fast money, fast life, fast broads
Egotistic, goin’ ballistic, why God?”

3. Taylor Swift, “King of My Heart”

Reputation • Big Machine • 2017

“Salute to me, I’m your American Queen / And you move to me like a Motown beat.” Within the track listing of Taylor Swift’s album Reputation, “King of My Heart” follows the optimistic “Getaway Car.”  Fittingly, the exuberance continues on into “King of My Heart,” which is set in good ole, happy, major. Notably, “King of My Heart” doesn’t spoil Taylor Swift’s reputation like some of the darker, more polarizing numbers. Selling points include harmonized vocals as well as overall vocal production.

4. Lil Uzi Vert, “Dark Queen”

Luv is Rage 2 • Atlantic • 2017

“Dear momma / I don’t wanna sign off / Outchea getting commas / Like my dad, I’m a grinder.” The execution of “Dark Queen,” a highlight from Lil Uzi Vert’s Luv is Rage 2 is debatable.  What isn’t debatable is the theme and message.  Lyrics like, “She don’t want me locked up / Momma I’m gon’ wash up” stand out, particularly given the reality of numerous incarcerated black men.

5. Declan McKenna, “Make Me Your Queen”

What Do You Think About the Car? • Columbia • 2017

“Make Me Your Queen” finds the protagonist willing to take part in clear-cut unrequited love. Throughout the verses, there’s constant reiteration of the lyrics, “I mean nothing to you.” Even so, the victim of this unrequited love rationalizes it as opposed to finding a purposeful relationship.

“I know that I mean nothing to you babe
I’m in your grip from which I cannot escape
And I can’t help but think I might maybe not mean nothing to you babe
So make me your queen.”

6. Rex Orange County, “Apricot Princess”

Apricot Princess • Rex Orange County • 2016 

“And I hope you believe me when I say / That I don’t see any other / Yeah, you’re the only one to meet my mother.” “Apricot Princess” opens with lush production work, thanks to strings, vibes, and thoughtful orchestration.  Rex Orange County sets the tone, which is emotionally driven.  After professing his love over a slow tempo, things speed up.  Rex wants the world to know his deep love for her.

“And I wanna show, I wanna show her the world
I need to know, she's down to go.”

7. Panic! At the Disco, “Emperor’s New Clothes”

Death of a Bachelor • Fueled by Ramen • 2016

“If it feels good, tastes good / It must be mine / Dynasty decapitated / You just might see a ghost tonight.” Those could only be the lyrics of Brendon Urie, the frontman and force behind Panic! At the Disco.  “Emperor’s New Clothes” is just one of many wildy creative numbers gracing the Grammy-nominated album, Death of a Bachelor. In addition to the use of the royal title emperor, in addition to lyrical royal references (“I’m taking back the crown / I’m all dressed up and naked”), what makes “Emperor’s New Clothes” truly royal is its ambitiousness. 

“Sycophants on velvet sofas
Lavish mansions, vintage wine
I am so much more than royal
Snatch your chain and mace your eyes.”

8. Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”

Fetty Wap • 300 Entertainment • 2015

“And I get high with my baby / I just left the mall, I’m gettin’ fly with my baby, yeah / And I can ride with my baby / I be in the kitchen cookin’ pies with my baby, yeah.” “Trap Queen” is the crowning achievement of rapper Fetty Wap.  Furthermore, it’s the crowning achievement of his self-titled debut, making the rapper a star in 2015. While there’s nothing royal about the drug and stripper references (“Man, I swear I love her how she work the damn pole”), the production is dope (no pun intended).  Furthermore, the performance is exuberant.

9. St. Vincent, “Prince Johnny”

St. Vincent • Loma Vista • 2014

“Prince Johnny, you’re kind, but do be careful / By now I know just when to stand clear / When all your friends and acolytes are holding / Court in bathroom stalls.” “Prince Johnny” serves as a moody, but beautiful cut from St. Vincent.   Lyrically, St. Vincent is genius, incorporating numerous allusions and metaphors.  The character Prince Johnny ends up being complex, relayed lyrically from the onset.

“Prince Johnny, you’re kind but you’re not simple
By now I think I know the difference.”

Among St. Vincent’s most clever allusion is to Pinocchio, in which she sings “Saw you pray to all to make you a real boy.”

10. Big K.R.I.T., “King of The South”

Cadillactica • Def Jam • 2014

“Titans collide, only Zeus could survive / If not me bitch, who the fuck you gone call?” “King of The South” is a dynamic cut from Cadillactica, the second major-label album from Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. “King of the South” is led by infectious lyrics: “Grew up on the country side of town…king of the south, king of the south, king of the south.”  A home run, the rapper is on autopilot.  He slaughters his rhymes with incredible agility, as any king should.

11. Lorde, “Royals”

Pure Heroine • Republic • 2013

“And we’ll never be royals / It don’t run in our blood / That kind of luxe just ain’t for us / We crave a different kind of buzz.” Last but not least, we conclude our royal playlist with “Royals,” the Grammy-winning hit that put Kiwi teen singer-songwriter Lorde ‘on the map.’  “Royals” benefits from a strong vocal arrangement not focused on vocal power, but rather color and subtlety.  The more times you listen to “Royals,” the more hypnotic and magical it becomes.  A pop cultural juggernaut, the songwriting is magnificent, with its mentions of “gold teeth”, “trashing hotel rooms,” “Maybach(s),” and personal favorite “Diamonds on your timepiece.” “Royals” is unified by its incredibly catchy chorus.

Photo Credits: Elektra, Interscope, Big Machine, Republic, Def Jam, Fueled by Ramen, Loma Vista, 300 Entertainment, Rex Orange County, Columbia