"Demons" (stylized in lowercase) is a song by Hayley Kiyoko. It is the second single of her fourth EP, I'm Too Sensitive For This Shit. It was announced on October 9, 2019 and was released on October 11, 2019 through Atlantic and Empire.[1] in 2021, the song was used in episode 3 of Marvel TV series Loki.
Background[]
The song was announced a few hours after the announcement of I'm Too Sensitive For This Shit on October 9, 2019.[1] The song was officially released on October 11, 2019 which is the National Coming Out Day in the United States. Moreover, a lyric video was released along with the single's release. Kiyoko talked about the song in a press release:
- "Demons is really personal to me” says Hayley. “I had the chorus lyrics written in my notes ‘please forgive me I’ve got demons in my head, trying to feed me lies until I’m dead’. There was something so haunting about it I wanted to try to turn it into something positive. I wanted to sing about mental health and battling the inner ‘demons’ many of us struggle with. But with a heavy upbeat track that everyone can sing and support you with. It’s so important for people struggling to realize that they’re not alone and I hope this song can play a part in sparking that realization."
- —Kiyoko[2]
Critical reception[]
Billboard describes this as a "glitching, spooky single that sees the singer battling with her own thoughts or rather the monsters that plague them".[3] Idolator calls this a "painfully relatable anthem" which "finds Lesbian Jesus opening up about the pitfalls of love and her desire for affection."[4] Nylon adds that "only Hayley Kiyoko could simultaneously sing about mental health and make you want to dance" and that "on 'Demons', she doesn't necessarily turn her inner musings into something bubbly and bright, rather a brooding, dark pop track that you could dance to in the club. Though the song's creepy composition seems perfectly timed for Halloween, it's a darkness that will remain evergreen long after October 31 has passed." [5]
Chart performance[]
The song peaked on the Official New Zealand Music Chart at number 38.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
(That's wild, that'll be nuts—)
[Verse 1]
There's something in the water
I don't like the flavour, I don't like the taste
Searching for nirvana
Something that'll take it all away from me
[Pre-Chorus]
Don't bother me, my misery
It's holding me, won't let me speak
[Chorus]
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head (In my head)
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
Tryna eat me, tryna feed me lies until I'm dead ('Til I'm dead)
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
In my head
[Verse 2]
It's creeping and it's gonna get me by the end of the night
I'm sinking deeper still, I'm reaching for the end of the light
Burning in the lava
You can't go and pray this type of pain away
[Pre-Chorus]
Don't bother me, my misery
It's holding me, won't let me speak
[Chorus]
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head (In my head)
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
Tryna eat me, tryna feed me lies until I'm dead ('Til I'm dead)
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
[Bridge]
I feel like I can't breathe, I feel like I can't sleep
How did I not see? I'm unwell
I feel like I can't breathe, I feel like I can't sleep
How did I not see? I'm unwell
(Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head, in my head)
(Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head)
[Chorus]
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head (In my head)
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
Tryna eat me, tryna feed me lies until I'm dead (In my head)
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
In my head
[Outro]
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
In my head
Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Twitter - @hayleykiyoko - "NEW SINGLE. OUT FRIDAY. #imtoosensitiveforthisshit"
- ↑ DIY - "Hayley Kiyoko Shares New Track 'Demons'
- ↑ Billboard - "Hayley Kiyoko Fights Off the 'Demons' Feasting on Her Thoughts with New Single: Stream It Now"
- ↑ Idolator - "Hayley Kiyoko Readies New Project ‘I’m Too Sensitive For This Sh*t’"
- ↑ Cannot link Nylon due to it being blacklisted by FANDOM.