Demons

Album: released as a single (2026)
Charted: 105
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Demons" confronts Josiah Queen's personal spiritual battle - fear, doubt, and inner darkness - and frames prayer as the turning point from defeat to victory.
  • Rather than glossing over the struggle, "Demons" begins with a vulnerable opening line grounding the message in real experience before arriving at spiritual triumph. It places it in the tradition of worship songs that sit with the struggle before declaring victory, like "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United. Unlike more triumphalist anthems that open with declaration, Queen doesn't skip the lament.
  • The chorus is the turning point, and the song's central declaration:

    Fear ain't got a home here up inside my mind
    Darkness has to leave up in this light


    Queen pushes the message further in the bridge with "I've been fully ransomed by the blood of Christ," anchoring the song firmly in Christian theology.

    "This song came from a real battle in my mind and the reminder that I don't fight alone," explained Queen. "When I prayed, God didn't just hear me – He answered. It's a declaration that fear and darkness don't get the final word when your trust and hope is in Jesus."
  • Queen co-wrote "Demons" with John Michael Howell, Zac Lawson, and Dylan Thomas. Howell also produced, mixed, and contributed vocals and guitar. Lawson brings a pop sensibility (his brother is JVKE of "Golden Hour" fame), while Thomas connects the track to the broader worship tradition through his work with Hillsong United.

    This is the same songwriting team that collaborated on Queen's hit "Dusty Bibles," which was certified Gold.
  • Brady Pettee, a frequent visual collaborator with Queen, directed the video, which finds the singer stranded in the snow with a broken-down truck. He builds a fire and ultimately gives up one of his most beloved possessions to the flames, a visual metaphor for surrender and release.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.