‘Solar Power’: How Lorde Grew Up, Embraced Guitars and Made a Summer Song | Diary of a Song

Lorde used to hate guitars. Then came “Solar Power.” What changed? In the latest Diary of a Song, the 24-year-old musician traces the personal and sonic evolutions that led to her new aesthetic.
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[@muzicSKITTLE]

Lorde: "I'm happy...I work out a lot...my body's hot..I'm feeling good...." she's out here living all of our dreams

[@onlinepersona123]

This is so Dumb jesus christ

[@the.annethology]

She really is, like a prettier Jesus.

[@this_too_shaII_pass]

@@onlinepersona123 Why?

[@onlinepersona123]

@@this_too_shaII_passhow easy for someone who's rich and white to feel happy and parade it. Give us something actually interesting

[@onlinepersona123]

@@this_too_shaII_pass sorry I forgot to mention that now she now works out. Very cool and interesting.

[@domarce]

I’m so glad we got to hear Clairo and Phoebe’s isolated vocals because I could always hear where they are in the song but wanted to hear THEM

[@sarahw5693]

TOTALLY! Clairo's voice really suits the lower harmony.

[@rclark7393]

I didn't know for sure until now, but i could have sworn i heard phoebe. Such a distinctive voice. They both really add something to the track!

[@carlserafin3257]

The way she said " I hope people get it.. in time " solar power for me is healing, bliss and happy. I'm here for it!

[@JavidGermanotta]

Im so happy that im growing with her. Im 24 as well and throught her previous 2 albums she really explained the way i felt teen angst, fear of aging, depression, fear of future, partying, recklessness etc. cannot wait for Solar Power

[@aubrito_]

100000%

[@JavidGermanotta]

@Minami Uchida actually you should be happy as well because it might help you to have understanding that how you will feel in the future ❤️

[@museummarg]

she’s a week younger than me and I TOTALLY feel the same way

[@kimberlymaraganas1299]

im 24 too!!

[@MFJN1929]

24 and right there with ya!

[@xoxoamazingful]

Interesting how Lorde did the same thing as Billie Eilish with hiding her body so people wouldn't comment on it, but Lorde never talked about it so we didn't realize

[@reey2778]

Lorde is the blueprint Wbk

[@dubstep101angu]

Billie Eilish is a copy of Lorde. More edgy copy

[@dangerislander]

Sis... without Lorde, there would be no Billie Eilish.

[@dylanprince9435]

@@dangerislander and without Lana there would be no lorde as we know it... it's like... time is real or something

[@dangerislander]

@@dylanprince9435 hmmmmm... tbh both Lana and Lorde both blew up around the same time... they both triggered the Anti-EDM wave. Lana precipitated it, and Lorde pushed it into full swing!

[@Robert-bs6ww]

I love the "creepy baby voice" she does sometimes. It's usually a vocal layer you can only hear through headphones and it's so satisfying to me! The only singer I recall doing this bizarre thing is Kate Bush

[@nickoffury]

I’m obsessed how he said ‘a tribe called quest’ and then she says ‘also Robbie Williams’ 💀💀💀💀

[@reey2778]

Those demos sounded so good 😭. I would’ve taken any of them funny how she calls them terrible and I’m just here like 🤯

[@EF-kk3vh]

Same lmaoooo

[@aBunnyThatWillChewOnYourCables]

She's holds very high critical standards for her own work. They're so high, that for most of her audience, things she considers sub par are brilliant. She's a genius 😂

[@miangoc5515]

same omg, i really love the demos T.T

[@pxterxno1942]

she probably don't feel the "alchemy thing" with those lines that's why she discarded it. "forget all of the tears that you've cried, it's over" is iconic tho + it effectively delivered the intent of the song.

[@reey2778]

@@pxterxno1942 yeah I remember her saying that if she doesn’t see color when making or hearing a song she will keep reworking it until she does

[@lana.d.torres]

the warmth in claire's voice and how floaty phoebe's in the vocal parts makes me so giddy it's so beautiful

[@tRistaNixME]

listening to the original chorus me: WOW THAT'S A GOOD CHORUS lorde: it's a horrible chorus me: it's a horrible chorus

[@Aliejha]

THOSE EARLIER CHORUSES WERE SO GOOD!?

[@luisedu19121]

Agree

[@jezmarkray638]

Yaaaas

[@shrutimishra242]

yes 😭

[@onlinepersona123]

Yeah much better than the final song

[@mmmmyrtle]

Agree, but it reminded me of her melodrama era where it was darker than the music she is producing now. Maybe she just wanted a newer ‘vibe’ to solar power i feel like that’s why they changed it.

[@phrootopia]

Getting to hear the process of making the songs, parts that ultimately didn't make it in, and different vocal layers was so interesting!

[@tinyslack]

it’s gonna be a weed album. so stoked!!

[@onlinepersona123]

Imagine thinking what the world needs is a weed album from a white girl produced by Jack Antonoff lmao

[@Fvhlipe]

@@onlinepersona123 exactly.. How can they call this boring song (solar power) and the song that sounds a lot like jack's previous work (stoned at the nail salon) a ''Grew Up''??

[@ajotcole]

@@onlinepersona123 I mean it’s their Art? They can create whatever they want? And I’d say everyone is open to cosume weed and write about their experiences with it? And if you’re not a fan, then don’t listen to it?

[@onlinepersona123]

Smoking weed and making a weed album in 2021 is passé and if she thinks it's all that, it's not

[@tinyslack]

@Yyoung Trees well, i'm 26, sooo. hmmm

[@Mia-rf1pu]

at first i wasn't drawn to solar power when it was released. but now, 2 months later, after listening to the album and knowing the story behind it, i FREAKING LOVE IT. LOVE EVERY SONG ON THE ALBUM.

[@poindexterorozco]

"so you're a child" lol ending the interview with a little shade

[@kindashin]

she called the original chorus TERRIBLE but i love it?! IT SOUNDS LIKE IT CAN BE A GREAT HOOK

[@kallymcdonnell]

this track cured my depression , and references all of the nostalgic highlights of my childhood

[@RainesProductions]

It's funny she mentioned early '00 music, because I was reminded of a Jack Johnson track.

[@preparemyglider1587]

Check out Loaded by Primal Scream if you like this track.

[@ryanrequired7624]

another episode back with that god tier editing huh

[@turnipbestie]

yeah i know next to nothing abt editing and it really stands out

[@yomamma4709]

We can just see how Lorde loved writing this song and loves and wants to perform it . I love it!

[@nathanw2660]

I think my favorite part of this is that SHE’S ONLY 24! She’s got a long career of amazing music ahead of her.

[@SimchainIsrael]

It’s so cool that MAKING the song was as summer fun as LISTENING to it feels

[@user-sx9wc3ie7e]

Hello, how are you? I found your name and I follow the news of the United States of America by chance and I wanted to talk to you because I really like that culture and life there and maybe we can be friends and I await your response with all due respect

[@mylesgala6622]

Man this album rocks so hard and she's so happy, I wish people appreciated that more

[@wacky6lalala]

I'm sorry but I feel like people who say solar power is boring have never experienced genuine happiness in their life

[@nedisahonkey]

"People who dislike the thing i like have never been happy". Brilliant argument, I'm seriously floored.

[@wacky6lalala]

Guys this is clearly a hyperbolic statement coming from an affectionate Lorde fan. I know that it comes across as condescending but if it's boring to you then it's boring, everyone has their own subjective taste. Love and light ✌️☀️

[@nedisahonkey]

@@wacky6lalala Fair enough. I'm a lorde fan too but Solar Power just doesn't do it for me.

[@wacky6lalala]

@@nedisahonkey how do you like the album? I didn't think much of it at first but I gave it a few more listens and now it's really growing on me. I think you gotta be in a meditative mindset when listening to it to really appreciate it

[@nedisahonkey]

@@wacky6lalala Pretty mediocre imo. Wouldn't say its bad though, just not my style. I've only listened to it once through so it could grow on me

[@akihito9197]

3:06 i love that alternate chorus tho

[@akihito9197]

4:07 such a mood

[@evedotcom]

Why am I crying? As a songwriter and a New Zealander and someone who has cherished the NZ summer since childhood, I feel this deeply! Loved hearing she’s doing so well, and her joy in “pop alchemy building in real time”. Inspiring ✨✨✨

[@Mockeryjay]

Need Lorde to release that "broody" "goth" version of Solar Power that she has recorded on her phone. It would a whole new meaning to the song! Need that chorus that she let go off as well 😭

[@avocadosocks]

I think this is the best interview that I've seen about dissecting the song. And the back up vocals are _glorious._ I remember an interview of her also dissecting the backup vocals of Green Light and was so happy to see the same thing in Solar Power.

[@EF-kk3vh]

Which interview was that? I love Green Light I would be super curious to see that!

[@buddhamoktan4972]

@@EF-kk3vh I feel its from a podcast

[@avocadosocks]

@@EF-kk3vh HYG. :) But the interview is much more centered on her transition from being known on Royals. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rauTdaODbrBniqc

[@AJ_b4_beauty]

You can literally feel her happinesses radiating off of this whole album

[@gayamarina]

so happy about this song and this episode of DoaS that I went and liked all ya'll's comments down there, sort of felt connected to other people enjoying this masterpiece :))) Thank you Joe and the team!

[@brittneypeyton8498]

It's amazing how it all gets figured out!!! Brilliant !

[@itspricila]

i immediately fell in love with solar power love the build up and the mood ☀️

[@lebiasa]

Solar power to me is feeling good with yourself and accepting who you are at this very moment, and not waiting for something to change! It’s pure magic!

[@coleberggren1346]

Thanks for this. What a great song. I love that moment at the end where the chorus kicks in, and right before the uplifting horn line kicks in she squeals like a cat that can''t contain herself... it's an affirmation of the affirmation that the song's affirming. I only wish it was longer...

[@mallikachaturvedi_]

they absolutely HAVE TO do this for happier than ever

[@neontyler6663]

2022 and the album hitting me so hard as im getting older, its true, life is getting hard everyday we need some peace of mind sometimes and this album helps me a lot with my anxiety also the sun and the ocean.

[@violetavictorio5638]

I don't understand why people don't like "solar power", the song is incredible!

[@preparemyglider1587]

Great track! Loved it when Primal Scream wrote it too. “Loaded” early 90’s.

[@violetavictorio5638]

@@preparemyglider1587 it seems like you're not a fan of lorde. she mentioned in an interview that she had never listened to Primal Scream and when she found out that the song was influenced by loaded she asked for the band's blessing and they even congratulated her! live and let die. Bobby Gillespie is less distressed than you haha

[@preparemyglider1587]

@@violetavictorio5638 big Lorde fan. I own Heroine on vinyl and have almost worn it out. I like how she progressed as an artist in Melodrama. This latest release looks to go in a new an exciting direction yet again. I appreciate that risk taking on her part. The same can be said for the band Primal Scream. They are chameleons that wander through straight up Rock and Roll, to Psychedelic electronica, to hardcore industrial. They created the Legendary album “Screamadelica” in the 90’s. give it a listen start to finish if you’re a fan of music in general. Ground breaking for it’s time. Loaded is a personal favourite. Now check out George Michael’s Freedom 90. Maybe she never heard that either?

[@sarahoo3653]

only deep people who understand her and her songs 😎

[@lee-sq6ob]

@@preparemyglider1587 OMG I was just up in the comments here to see if anyone else thought this song was a rip-off of George Michael? I love her and this album but this song is so similar.

[@hatsumomo4307]

I'm super excited to hear this new and more mature Lorde 💛 Come on and let the bliss begin!!

[@symphonybarnes]

ahh, i loved this! as if i didn't love the song a lot already, this really made me appreciate it more! i can't believe some people have the audacity to say negative things about it, like calling it boring smh.

[@joseahhhs]

IM SO OBSESSED WITH THE DEMOO OMGG I NEED IT!!!

[@nathaliaguadalupechavezcas8826]

magical album!! can't wait to see her performance

[@cristinacampos7885]

This video was a whole experience

[@leonardofranco9151]

I love her music and her happiness!

[@itspricila]

wait i actually enjoyed the original choruses

I'm just so in love with this song.

[@will5713]

Ahh! I can't wait for the album!

[@mahmoudhijazi5083]

Hi Joe, We miss you and want more. Sincerely, Everyone Here

[@prakhargupta5210]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO SM

[@zenunderground9893]

Oh..we are all definitely going to want a followup double album with all these demos/outtakes/vocal and-or instrumental only, and almost a completely different but perfectly right finished alternative version. The remixes and mashups (asides from official ones) are always so amazing on KZbin as well. Maybe a future Contest for Solar Power album remixes and mashups?

[@Monica-jq4gy]

STUNNING !!!!

[@sr3145]

it took me like, 9 months but i finally understand this album and im obsessed with it

[@MariiaSosa]

SAMEEEEE

[@mr.joaquin7830]

such a great job at capturing that easy feeling essence of the early 2000s

[@daniellebaxter4504]

I'm obsessed with these videos

[@KateKillet]

why does this make me cry? like happy cry

[@jurbanek2704]

I can't believe LORDE, Larry David and Neil Finn were mentioned in one video! This is the idea of heaven to me.

[@DanielleA2023]

Shes so incredible because everything she saw and describes is what the cd and songs became ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@eutueli3106]

so so so so so happy for this woman

[@JuliaBaracho]

this is soooooo good

[@viktriuscherokee2419]

Life is good! Can’t get enough of lorde 😎🌞

[@riaraut5311]

Okay all the chorus options are just different versions of perfection

[@shrutimishra242]

i love the first chorus 😭😭😭

[@fatimalz6835]

I'm not even kidding, I started crying at 4:07

[@bookshelf829]

Phoebe's in this?!?!?! Lorde and Phoebe know each other?!?!?! wow

[@RosidinAli]

She's a literal artist!!!

[@loveinthematrix]

If I knew Jack as a producer I would be set for life, they are beautiful

[@sie4431]

Love imaging Americans watching this with no idea who S club 7 or Robbie Williams are

[@itspricila]

i know who they are

[@mazayashah213]

Lol s club 7 was playing all the time on tv... in Canada aha

[@TheEMGRACE2]

S club 7 was major in America …..

[@mazayashah213]

@@TheEMGRACE2 nice, I thought so!

[@mazayashah213]

Robbie Williams was on the Finding Nemo soundtrack

[@TheFkhkwf]

I need an ambient extended mix using the background vocal layers ... Bliss!!!

[@tarmanpreetsinghdhillon7970]

Can you please keep making these videos? I beg you! Please keep making them

[@violetavictorio5638]

this album is gonna be as great as pure heroine and melodrama

[@freddierenoiz]

4:05 i don't thing any other sound in my life is gonna top this feeling again. that guitar is the essence of solar power. feels like an eternal sunbathing with the smell of coconut and sunscreen.

[@sofiamarieortega7471]

Im so happy this video exsisted

[@bettip4331]

wow it’s so nice to hear phoebe and claire’s isolated vocals

[@rylesouto7762]

Bless your ears at ✨ 5:50 and 6:27✨

[@smelliiee]

THANK YOU

[@anisanurraudah8383]

After this episode, I really hope the fans stop coming for jack and blame him about the 'repetitiveness' on Lorde's two latest singles. Ella is an artist and she aint a puppet. Without her input and vision about the song's production, Jack wont make or force a certain sound to her. Taylor once said that the reason why she keeps coming back to Jack is because he is one of the most open minded and creative genius producers out there. In a world where Dr. Luke sexually harrased his female collaborators or max martin to insist a songwriting credit eventho he did not contribute to any lyrics and melody in a song or else he refused to produce that song, I will always choose Jack. Forever and always.

[@vvvinblue5557]

This! Plus I also read on the Rolling Stones interview of Clairo that Jack actually talk to them and try to connect to each artists he would collab. I mean Clairo even cried at the first time they met. So, it is really understandable why they would go to Jack.

[@zohasiddiqui8956]

I had no idea phoebe and clairo were on this track too!! One of my favorite songs with three of the my favorite artists :)

[@Daniizle]

omg of course, all the references! it does feel like that

[@giee]

that sclub7 moment tho ♡

[@lesley1684]

COLLAPSE OF THE CENTURY also hearing phoebe and claire was so cool 😭

[@Superboy7456]

Imagine Lorde running to you in a bodega 😫

[@desmondho8264]

Solar Power is my FAV thus far 2021.

[@brittneypeyton8498]

I just LOVEEEEEE HER!!!

[@mateusemanoel5618]

genius, love her ❤️‍🔥

[@beltransantaya5432]

05:51 so hypnotic...

[@joshuaagomaa1556]

WE LOVE A LEGEND ❤️❤️

[@NAETEMUSIC]

Like lorde, but these two did end up making the best drug commercial background music of all time

[@coltonkleins]

Lmfao

[@UltimateAwe]

What a duo! The criticism is expected but with results this exceptional, who cares? A great left-turn from her.

[@denachtconducteur7070]

She is a legend

[@ElisonMichael]

I loveeeeee her 😍😍😍😍

[@trashsultana1406]

So happy that the prettier Jesus is back!

[@SimonJamesCarter]

When she said, '...this New Zealand artists house...' I was like, 'It would be cool if she says Neil Flynn...' and then she says Neil Flynn and it blew my mind! Then you hear the isolated guitar that they used on the track and I'm like OMG it sounds like a Crowded House riff...

[@pigmenall8892]

she just so cool

[@remiellis972]

Lorde is a fricking music genius

[@ahmadkashfy13]

Our Kween ⭐️!

[@zenunderground9893]

6:57 Days of Heaven film... 😌 it's so good

[@uhohandrei]

i need her to release an alternative version of solar power with the first original chorus in it please 🥺

[@Lucia-em7uw]

I love you Lorde

[@glitznglitter1000]

Does anyone know what program they’re using for the colorful guitar/vocal audio waves?

[@abbati7776]

queen

[@mashupotato_]

3:05 😭

[@afterschoolclub5147]

We need an extended version with midchorusssssssses