10 Teen-Girl Musicians Who Had Talent Beyond Their Years

Lorde's single "Royals," which pokes sarcastic fun at materialistic rap and pop songs about partying and bling, is setting her apart from her fellow teen musicians on the charts — and setting records. "Royals" is the first single from a female solo act to crack the Billboard alternative charts since Fiona Apple had a No. 4 hit with "Criminal" in 1997.

The New Zealand teen, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, was signed to a development deal with Universal Records when she was just 12 years old. Her alternative, wise-beyond-her-years bent is clear in her influences; she counts Bon Iver, poet T.S. Eliot, and The Smiths among her inspirations.