Room 24

Album: Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by a terrifying experience in a hotel room that happened to Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen somewhere in the heart of America. He recalled to BraveWords.com: "I had a terrible experience in a hotel in the US while we were touring on the Gigantour. In the middle of the night, I wake up and I cannot move my arms or legs. My eyes are wide open and I'm trying to reach out to my wife, but I can't move anything. I almost feel like I'm choking. I was struggling and there was nothing I could do. The room suddenly became more dark, I felt like there was something in the room, I just couldn't figure out what it was. There was pressure on my chest and I was really hurting; I was thinking I was about to have a stroke or a heart attack. I was very convinced I was about to die. Somehow I fell asleep again, I woke up and it did the same thing; I couldn't move anything. This time, the pressure on my chest was even heavier; it almost felt like somebody was sitting on top of me. I just couldn't figure out what it was. Again, I'm so sure I'm about to have a heart attack; this is how I'm dying in a fu--ing hotel room in the US. It was really, really spooky because I was trying to reach out to my wife and I couldn't move."

    Poulsen later realized what had happened was sleep paralysis where your brain wakes up but is not communicating with the rest of your body.
  • The song features the Danish Heavy Metal musician King Diamond, who is the lead vocalist for both Mercyful Fate and the eponymous King Diamond. He sings the part of the dark force in the hotel room. Guitarist and co-producer Rob Caggiano recalled to Artist Direct: "He actually did his vocals in Texas at his own studio. We sent him the track. He did his vocals and sent them back to us, and we were blown away."

    "We're all huge King Diamond fans," Caggiano added. "For me, he's one of my biggest influences. To this day, I still think Abigail is one of the best metal records of all time. It was killer to just be a part of something he sang on. It was such a surreal feeling."

Comments: 1

  • Cherie from Usa. OhioI knew this was a sleep paralysis dream. I have them often. They don’t freak me out as much as they used to. Sometimes I gotta wonder if there isn’t something more to this though.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.