The 2014 World Series starts tomorrow night between the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals, and one thing is certain: You won’t be hearing much Lorde on Bay Area radio stations.
The pop singer’s hit “Royals” has been banned from radio stations KFOG and KOIT until after the World Series, and maybe longer, depending on the outcome. It’s an odd choice, seeing as the chorus of the song is boasting about not being Royals, but hey a name is a name is a name. The 17-year-old New Zealander admitted the song’s inspiration came partially after seeing a photo of George Brett wearing a Royals jersey in a 1976 issue of National Geographic, so the connection has some merit. Back in March, the team hooked her up with a jersey (see below), though she hasn’t shown up to games like Steve Perry or anything.
“Why send any positive vibes to Kansas City?” KFOG’s program director Jim Richards told NBC Bay Area, via the Billboard report. “Why not give the song a rest? No one is going to get hurt over it.”
There is no word, just yet, however, on whether Kansas City has banned They Might Be Giants, Young The Giant, or any public broadcast of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” until the Fall Classic has concluded.
Or maybe just any Journey song…
No offense, Lorde, but for the duration of the World Series, KFOG Radio will be a "Royals"-free zone. We're sure… http://t.co/7uvseCjb03
— KFOGRadio (@KFOGRadio) October 17, 2014
Thanks 4 your comments! #Lorde #Royals will be removed from the @965KOIT playlist until the end of the World Series #GoGiants…
— 96.5 koit (@965KOIT) October 17, 2014
Here’s Lorde and her jersey, signed “You are royal to me” by the Hall of Famer.
.@lordemusic said the #Royals jersey she received from @GeorgeHBrett was one of the coolest things she owns! pic.twitter.com/QnjxfNnWPF
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) March 22, 2014