#26: “Royals” by Lorde

Lorde’s Royals dominated the charts in 2014, but its unexpected connection to baseball sparked controversy during the World Series. As the Kansas City Royals adopted the song as an unofficial anthem, San Francisco radio stations took action—banning it to show support for their team, the Giants.

The playful move fueled media buzz, adding a lighthearted rivalry to the championship series. Despite the ban, Royals remained a defining hit of the decade, celebrated for its minimalist production and critique of material excess.