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Lorde First Woman In 17 Years To Top Alternative Songs With 'Royals'

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The New Zealand singer/songwriter, just 16, is the first lead solo female to rule the ranking since Tracy Bonham in 1996 (months before Lorde was born)

With the aptly-titled "Royals," Lorde becomes the first lead solo female to crown Billboard's Nielsen BDS-based Alternative Songs chart in more than 17 years.

No female soloist, in fact, had led the list as a lead artist in Lorde's lifetime until this week. Tracy Bonham was the last to do so when "Mother Mother," her first chart entry (as "Royals" is for Lorde), reigned the weeks of June 8, 15 and 22, 1996.

Lorde was born on Nov. 7, 1996.

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