Lorde Takes Over Billboard; Kiwi Teen Singer Becomes First Woman In 17 Years To Top Chart

Lorde has taken over the U.S. charts. At just 16, the Kiwi teen singer has become the first female solo artist in 17 years to nab the top of Billboard’s alternative songs charts with her smash hit "Royals."

It was in 1996, the Lorde’s birth year, when the last female singer, American songstress Tracy Bonham, topped the charts with "Mother Mother.” And it took 17 years for Billboards to give the title back to another woman.

Lorde, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor, also made history with “Royals” by being one of 10 No 1's by women in Billboard’s nearly 25 years of history.

Although women’s voices were not entirely absent in the chart, it’s rare that women top it as soloists. Often, women who make it are part of a group (Amy Lee of Evanescence, Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine, and Hayley Williams of Paramore) or are featured acts (Janelle Monae on “We Are Young”).

Here are the only songs by solo female artists in the chart’s history (as per Billboard.com):
“Royals,” Lorde (Aug 24, 2013)
“Mother Mother,” Tracy Bonham (June 8, 1996)
“Ironic,” Alanis Morissette (March 16, 1996)
“Hand In My Pocket,” Alanis Morissette (Oct 14, 1995)
“You Oughta Know,” Alanis Morissette (July 22, 1995)
“God,” Tori Amos (March 19, 1994)
“Blood Makes Noise,” Suzanne Vega (Oct 10, 1992)
“The Emperor’s New Clothes,” Sinead O’Connor (May 12, 1990)
“Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor (March 31, 1990)
“Love and Anger,” Kate Bush (Dec 9, 1989)

Lorde recently became a replacement singer for Frank Ocean at the Splendour in the Grass festival in Australia. The U.S. singer pulled out of the line-up at the last minute after suffering a small tear to his vocal cords, which, while unfortunate for him, became a lucky break for the Auckland teen.

“Something absurd and cool just came up which involves me getting on a plane in about 24 hours,” she tweeted the day before she was due on stage on July 28. “See you at splendour b*tches.”

She took the main stage at 5:30 pm, and quickly tweeted her thanks to her fans after playing her set.

“such kind words and happy vibes here tonight. thankyou for having me, splendour. loved every minute,” she wrote.

“i dunno how musicians can ever get over looking out onstage and just seeing oceans of people. so humbling always.”

Her debut album, “Pure Heroine,” will be released on Sept 30.

Lorde’s “Royals” (U.S. Version):