San Francisco radio stations won’t play ‘Royals’ during World Series

SAN FRANCISCO — The popular song “Royals” by New Zealand artist Lorde is getting caught up in the fervor over the upcoming World Series between the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals.

Two San Francisco radio stations say they won’t play the song during the duration of the World Series.

KFOG and KOIT announced the bans last week as the Giants clinched the pennant and headed to the series. KOIT program director Brian Figula said in a statement that listeners called for the ban.

Jim Richards, KFOG’s program director, said they didn’t want to play a song that repeatedly says “Royals” while rooting for the hometown team.

Lorde has told VH1 that a photo of Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer George Brett signing autographs in his uniform helped inspire her song when she saw the word “Royals.”