Lorde celebrated her 18th birthday on Friday, Nov. 7, by releasing the music video to her single “Yellow Flicker Beat.”

Lorde Drops "Yellow Flicker Beat" Video

Lorde announced on Thursday that she would be giving her fans the gift of the “Yellow Flicker Beat” video on her birthday.

And the now-18-year-old singer stayed true to her word, releasing “Yellow Flicker Beat” at the hour she turned 18. In less than 24 hours, the video has almost 1 million views on YouTube.

“Yellow Flicker Beat” is Lorde’s newest single, and is featured on the soundtrack to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. Lorde wrote a note to her fans to celebrate the release of the video, as well as her milestone birthday.

“’Yellow Flicker Beat’ is about Katniss realizing that things have crossed a line, about being pushed to the edge and right over it. My character in this video, whether she’s weaving her way through a decadent ballroom, hiding out in a grimy, neon-lit motel room (her hair ever-so-slightly disheveled), or waiting in the night for her bus to come dressed in her whitest clothes, is a shapeshifter, full of intensity and impulse, kind of like Katniss. Whether she’s in a small space or a cavernous one, she’s fiery. I don’t really know what I’m trying to explain to you here, but don’t read the video like a story, just let it take you somewhere,” Lorde wrote about the video.

Lorde Celebrates 18th Birthday

As for her birthday, Lorde admitted she was a bit overwhelmed at the idea of turning 18, saying, “I guess that’s all I have to say right now – my mind is kind of whizzing about this new milestone. I hope you enjoy this. I’ll let you know what being eighteen is like when I’ve been it for a second. I love you lots and lots, you know. Thanks for watching, and for still being here.”

As for what an 18-year-old pop star wished for on her birthday, Lorde revealed that she wouldn’t have minded having clearer skin: “It’s midnight, and I’m all of ten seconds into being eighteen. The first thing that came into my head just now is that I thought I would have less acne at eighteen.. Some things never change. Lol. Happy birthday me.”

Taylor Swift Wishes Lorde A Happy Birthday

Taylor Swift, Lorde’s famous BFF, wished her a happy birthday on Twitter and Instagram, writing, “It’s Ella’s 18th birthday technically but we all know she’s really 300 and knows all the secrets of the universe. #ELLAflickerbeat.”

It's Ella's 18th birthday technically but we all know she's really 300 and knows all the secrets of the universe. #ELLAflickerbeat

A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

Nov 11, 2014 at 9:52pm PST

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.