Kansas City Royals photograph inspired Lorde’s monster hit 'Royals'

Turns out that 17-year-old Lorde’s megahit song, “Royals” – the one that’s topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven straight weeks now – was inspired by, in part, the Kansas City Royals.

When the teen singer-songwriter sat down with VH1 a few weeks back to explain the song that mocks the luxe lifestyle of famous musicians, she revealed her inspiration: A photo of a Kansas City Royals baseball player.

“I had this image from the National Geographic of this dude just signing baseballs,” she told VH1. “He was a baseball player and his shirt said, ‘Royals.’

“It was just that word. It’s really cool.”

But before we go and make this the new team anthem, know that young Lorde also professes a lifelong “fascination with aristocracy.”

You know, those other royals.

“Like, the kings and queens of 500 years agothey’re like rock stars. If there was a TMZ 500 years ago, it would be about like Henry VIII and Marie Antoinette and all those people,” she told VH1.

Now if we only knew which player was in that National Geographic photo.

This story was originally published November 19, 2013 at 1:22 PM.