Pop's biggest newcomer this year was also the most outspoken. New Zealand artist Lorde wasn't shy about sharing her feelings and opinions on everything from other current pop stars to the normalcy of being a teen.
Here, to add to our 2013 in Lists section, is just a sampling of Lorde's best lines, outside of her music.
Top 10 Lorde Quotables 2013:
10. On putting out her EP online for free:
"I wanted to put the EP up for free because being a teenager, and not having a credit card — I mean, who has a credit card at 16?! — I just thought people my age would appreciate it."
- with Interview Magazine
9. On young influences:
"I feel like the influences that are there in the industry for people my age, like Justin Bieber or whatever, is just maybe not a very real depiction of what it's like to be a young person."
- with MTV
8. On Lana Del Rey:
"I was just thinking it's so unhealthy for young girls to be listening to, you know: 'I'm nothing without you.' This sort of shirt-tugging, desperate, don't leave me stuff. That's not a good thing for young girls, even young people, to hear."
- with Fader
7. On David Guetta:
"No. Fuck no. He's so gross."
- with Faster Louder
6. On not being legal drinking age:
"I don't feel bummed about not getting super-crunk all the time."
- with Rolling Stone
5. On Miley Cyrus:
"There are a lot of shock tactics these days: People trying to outdo each other, which will probably culminate in two people fucking on stage at the Grammys. I try to keep my blinkers on and focus on making music."
- with Q Magazine (in print)
4. On Taylor Swift:
"Taylor Swift is so flawless, and so unattainable, and I don't think it's breeding anything good in young girls [who might think] 'I'm never going to be like Taylor Swift, why can't I be as pretty as Lorde?' That's fucking bullshit."
- with Metro Arts Auckland
3. On Selena Gomez:
"I'm a feminist, and the theme of her song is, 'When you're ready come and get it from me.' I'm sick of women being portrayed this way."
- with Rolling Stone (in print)
2. On relating to Kanye:
"When I meet a bunch of girls my age, I find that stressful as I'm just a high school student myself. I feel intimidated by them. But meeting people like Kanye West — people who are into what you do and understand about having a vision — I can relate to."
- with The Sun (UK)
1. On being called a 'hater':
"I think there's a funny culture in music that's only happened over the last 15 years, that if you have an opinion about something in music that isn't 100-percent good, you're a 'hater,' even if you have perfectly reasonable grounds for that critique. People will say exactly what they think about a movie or a TV show, and that's fine, but as soon as you say it about a record, you're like some little zombie in a funny dungeon. I have pretty strong morals and opinions being in pop music, and I can't help but express those, which I think people appreciate. I mean, I don't think I say anything that isn't backed up. Most of the time I will stand by things that I've said."
- with MTV
Here, to add to our 2013 in Lists section, is just a sampling of Lorde's best lines, outside of her music.
Top 10 Lorde Quotables 2013:
10. On putting out her EP online for free:
"I wanted to put the EP up for free because being a teenager, and not having a credit card — I mean, who has a credit card at 16?! — I just thought people my age would appreciate it."
- with Interview Magazine
9. On young influences:
"I feel like the influences that are there in the industry for people my age, like Justin Bieber or whatever, is just maybe not a very real depiction of what it's like to be a young person."
- with MTV
8. On Lana Del Rey:
"I was just thinking it's so unhealthy for young girls to be listening to, you know: 'I'm nothing without you.' This sort of shirt-tugging, desperate, don't leave me stuff. That's not a good thing for young girls, even young people, to hear."
- with Fader
7. On David Guetta:
"No. Fuck no. He's so gross."
- with Faster Louder
6. On not being legal drinking age:
"I don't feel bummed about not getting super-crunk all the time."
- with Rolling Stone
5. On Miley Cyrus:
"There are a lot of shock tactics these days: People trying to outdo each other, which will probably culminate in two people fucking on stage at the Grammys. I try to keep my blinkers on and focus on making music."
- with Q Magazine (in print)
4. On Taylor Swift:
"Taylor Swift is so flawless, and so unattainable, and I don't think it's breeding anything good in young girls [who might think] 'I'm never going to be like Taylor Swift, why can't I be as pretty as Lorde?' That's fucking bullshit."
- with Metro Arts Auckland
3. On Selena Gomez:
"I'm a feminist, and the theme of her song is, 'When you're ready come and get it from me.' I'm sick of women being portrayed this way."
- with Rolling Stone (in print)
2. On relating to Kanye:
"When I meet a bunch of girls my age, I find that stressful as I'm just a high school student myself. I feel intimidated by them. But meeting people like Kanye West — people who are into what you do and understand about having a vision — I can relate to."
- with The Sun (UK)
1. On being called a 'hater':
"I think there's a funny culture in music that's only happened over the last 15 years, that if you have an opinion about something in music that isn't 100-percent good, you're a 'hater,' even if you have perfectly reasonable grounds for that critique. People will say exactly what they think about a movie or a TV show, and that's fine, but as soon as you say it about a record, you're like some little zombie in a funny dungeon. I have pretty strong morals and opinions being in pop music, and I can't help but express those, which I think people appreciate. I mean, I don't think I say anything that isn't backed up. Most of the time I will stand by things that I've said."
- with MTV
