Lorde’s “Royals” Banned in San Francisco for the Duration of World Series
There are three things happening on the flipside of my computer screen right now. I am planning every aspect of my week around the World Series because GO GIANTS, I am writing this article, and I am listening to Lorde's "Royals" while doing so. GASP. Blasphemy? Nah, I'm just testing the claims.
San Francisco Giants fans were up in arms that local radio stations were still playing Lorde's hit song "Royals" after the Thursday night Major League Baseball National League pennant win against the St. Louis Cardinals landed the Giants in World Series matchup against the Kansas City Royals.
Superstition runs wild in baseball, so I understand the hesitation to look past anything that may tip a hat to the opposing team. I'm not sure banning an artist from the airwaves is the best karmic gesture, but as KFOG Program Director Jim Richards stated, "Why not give the song a rest? No one is going to get hurt over it." Both KFOG Radio (@KFOGRadio) and 96.5 KOIT (@965KOIT) have placed "Royals" on a do-not-play blacklist while the Giants take on the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 World Series.
KOIT's decision followed a torrent of complaints from their listeners. Critics claimed that by playing Royals KOIT was backing the wrong team to take home baseball's biggest prize, according to Fox 4 News. "Our listeners told us to do it, so we did it," declared program director Brian Figula. "As of 4pm today we've removed Lorde's Royals from the our playlist until the end of the World Series. Go Giants, beat the Royals!"
What do you think about the choice to ban "Royals" from the airwaves? I mean, Lorde says it herself: "And we'll never be royals, it don't run in our blood, that kind of luxe just ain't for us, we crave a different kind of buzz."
At the conclusion of this article and the 5th repetition of the song, I'm still not offended – I'm simply hoping that that different kind of buzz comes in the form of 2014 World Series win for the San Francisco Giants.
Go Giants! #OctoberTogether
