Released: March 11, 2014

Songwriter: Joel Little Lorde

Producer: Joel Little

[Verse 1]
There's a humming in the restless summer air
And we're slipping off the course that we prepared
But in all chaos, there is calculation
(Drop-drop-drop-drop) Dropping glasses just to hear them break
You've been drinking like the world was gonna end (It didn't)
Took a shiner from the fist of your best friend (Go figure)
It's clear that someone's gotta go
We mean it, but I promise we're not mean

[Pre-Chorus]
And the cry goes out (Oh)
They lose their minds for us
And how it plays out (Oh)
Now we're in the ring and we're coming for blood

[Chorus]
(Oh, oh) You could try and take us
(Oh, oh) But we're the gladiators
(Oh, oh) Everyone a rager
(Oh, oh) But secretly they're saviours
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines
(Oh, oh) You could try and take us
(Oh, oh) But victory's contagious

[Verse 2]
Delicate in every way but one (The swordplay)
God knows we like archaic kinds of fun (The old ways)
Chance is the only game I play with, baby
We let our battles choose us

[Pre-Chorus]
And the cry goes out (Oh)
They lose their minds for us
And how it plays out (Oh)
Now we're in the ring and we're coming for blood

[Chorus]
(Oh, oh) You could try and take us
(Oh, oh) But we're the gladiators
(Oh, oh) Everyone a rager
(Oh, oh) But secretly they're saviours
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines
(Oh, oh) You could try and take us
(Oh, oh) But victory's contagious

[Bridge]
No-one 'round here's good at keeping their eyes closed
The sun's starting to light up when we're walking home
Tired little laughs, gold-lie promises
We'll always win at this, I don't ever think about death
It's all right if you do, it's fine
We gladiate, but I guess we're really fighting ourselves
Roughin' up our minds so we're ready when the killtime comes
Wide awake in bed, words in my brain
"Secretly you love this, do you even wanna go free?"
Let me in the ring, I'll show you what that big word means

[Chorus]
(Oh, oh) You could try and take us
(Oh, oh) But we're the gladiators
(Oh, oh) Everyone a rager
(Oh, oh) But secretly they're saviours
Glory and gore go hand in hand
That's why we're making headlines
(Oh, oh) You could try and take us
(Oh, oh) But victory's contagious

[Produced by Joel Little]

Lorde

Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (b. November 7, 1996), better known by her stage name Lorde, is a pop star hailing from New Zealand. While her earlier music focused on criticizing fame and the “pop star” culture, she grew into it more with her second album while keeping the superb writing she’s known for.

She first became a figure on the international scene with her debut EP The Love Club but didn’t start to blow up until her song “Royals” reached #1 on charts worldwide, including the US. Her use of apt metaphors and allegories at just sixteen made her a revered and intriguing media figure.

Although she was initially written off as a one-hit-wonder, her top-ten second single “Team,” curation of The Hunger Mockingjay soundtrack, and her friendships with other A-listers like Taylor Swift have kept her in the spotlight, as well as general intrigue about new music.