Lorde’s ‘Royals’ banned by baseball rivals

NEW YORK, USA – Lorde’s smash hit “Royals” is suddenly taking on a renewed significance – and, to one set of sports fans, unwelcome – as the Kansas City Royals head to baseball’s World Series.

A radio station in San Francisco, whose home team the Giants will vie against the Royals in the championship, said it would temporarily ban the New Zealand teenager’s “Royals” from its playlist.

“No offense, Lorde, but for the duration of the World Series, KFOG Radio will be a ‘Royals’-free zone. We’re sure you understand,” the station said on Facebook and Twitter.

Kansas City fans promptly turned to the station’s website and put in requests for “Royals,” which won the Grammy in January for best song.

The lyrics to “Royals” take aim at ostentatious wealth.

Lorde has said that there was in fact a connection to the Kansas City Royals, telling VH1 in an interview last year that she was inspired by a 1976 National Geographic picture of the Royals’ George Brett signing baseballs.

The Giants and Royals did, however, find common cause on another song — Journey’s 1981 power ballad “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which both teams have played in their stadiums to rouse fans.

But Journey, which is from San Francisco, has made clear its preference, with frontman Steve Perry seen in the past joining the crowd’s singalong to his song at Giants’ games.

Journey on Twitter said the band was glad the Giants used the song, adding; “It has undoubtably brought them good luck.”

“Don’t Stop Believin,” with its theme of hope, has been embraced by numerous sports teams and also appeared in the final scene of the mafia television drama The Sopranos. – Rappler.com