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Lorde - Royals Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on guitar and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsDm, D, C, G
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

Dm
I’veneverseenaDdiamondintheflesh
DIcutmyteethonDweddingringsinthemovies
DAndI’mnotproudDofmyaddress,
DInthetornuptown,nopostcodeenvy
DButeverysong’slikegoldteeth,GreyGoose,trippin’inthebathroom
DBloodstains,ballgowns,trashingthehotelroom,
CWedon’tcare,we’redrivingGCadillacsinourdreams.
DButeverybody’slikeCristal,Maybach,diamondsonyourtimepiece.
DJetplanes,islands,tigersonagoldleash.
CWedon’tcare,wearen’tGcaughtupinyourloveDaffair.
DAndwe’llneverberoyals..itdon’truninourblood,
ThatkindofCluxjustain’tforus.WecraveaGdifferentkindofbuzz.
LetmebeyourDruler,youcancallmequeenbee
AndbabyI’llCruleI’llruleI’llruleI’llrule.
GLetmelivethatfantasy.D
DMyfriendsandIwe’vecrackedthecode.
DWecountourdollarsonthetraintotheparty.
DAndeveryonewhoknowsusknowsthatwe’refinewiththis,
DWedidn’tcomefrommoney.
DButeverysong’slikegoldteeth,GreyGoose,trippin’inthebathroom
DBloodstains,ballgowns,trashingthehotelroom,
CWedon’tcare,we’redrivingGCadillacsinourdreams.
DButeverybody’slikeCristal,Maybach,diamondsonyourtimepiece.
DJetplanes,islands,tigersonagoldleash.
CWedon’tcare,wearen’tGcaughtupinyourloveDaffair.
DAndwe’llneverberoyals..itdon’truninourblood,
ThatkindofCluxjustain’tforus.WecraveaGdifferentkindofbuzz.
LetmebeyourDruler,youcancallmequeenbee
AndbabyI’llCruleI’llruleI’llruleI’llrule.
GLetmelivethatfantasy.D
DOoohoohohh
CWe’rebiggerthanweever Gdreamed,andI’minlovewithbeingqueen.
DOoohoohohhClifeisgamewithoutacare
Wearen’tGcaughtupinyourlove Daffair.
DAndwe’llneverberoyals..itdon’truninourblood,
ThatkindofCluxjustain’tforus.WecraveaGdifferentkindofbuzz.
LetmebeyourDruler,youcancallmequeenbeeandbabyI’llCruleI’llruleI’llruleI’llrule.
GLetmelivethatfantasy.D
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on guitar.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master guitar today with the most repeated high-impact chord transitions.
ArtistLorde
AlbumSummer Road Trip
GenresPop
Year2013
KeyDm
DifficultyEasy

How to play Royals on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Lorde - Royals on guitar requires 4 chords and 4 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Royals uses these transitions most often: C → G (12), D → C (12), and G → D (12). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with Dm - D chord transition.

1. Dm → D chord transition

Guitar Dm chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-1Guitar Dm chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-2Guitar D chord diagram

Here's how to move from Dm to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
  3. Keep ring finger on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse.

Dm to D

2. D → C chord transition

Guitar D chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-2Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram

To move from D to C:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 12 times.

D to C

3. C → G chord transition

Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram

To move from C to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 12 times.

C to G

4. G → D chord transition

Guitar G chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-3Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-2Guitar D chord diagram

Switching from G to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 12 times.

G to D

Royals chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Royals.

  • Royals includes 37 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Royals contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Royals connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → C: 14%
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains from real songs. See which songs use each chain and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.