Songfacts®:

• "Demons" is an eerie, hard-hitting punk-rap anthem where Doja Cat addresses the relentless criticism and insults that bombard her every day. The rapper-singer unleashed the track as the third single from her album Scarlett. Her two preceding singles, "Attention" and "Paint The Town Red," also serve as unapologetic responses to her haters.
• In April 2023, Doja posted a picture of a recent tattoo featuring a hybrid of scaled, animalistic features intertwined with feminine attributes. Some responded by labeling her a Satanist. She kicks off this track with its resounding chorus, defiantly addressing those accusations and proudly embracing her identity.
  
  How my demons look
  Now that my pocket's full?
  How my demons look
  Now that you b-i--hes shook?
  
  Doja Cat challenges the online critics, questioning their feelings in the face of her unwavering success and global recognition. She reminds them that their words haven't harmed her, and she's still a thriving and respected artist. This echoes her reference to herself as the devil in the opening line of the chorus for "Paint the Town Red."
• In the first verse, Doja maintains this confident stance, contrasting her wealth with the less-than-enviable lives of her detractors.
  
  I am on to bigger things
  I just bought a limousine
  You live like me in your dreams
  
  Doja Cat asserts her ascent to greater heights and luxuries, emphasizing that her haters can merely aspire to live a life like hers within the confines of their fantasies.
• As the second verse kicks in, Doja candidly addresses some of the criticism that has come her way in recent years. She's previously admitted that her previous two albums, Hot Pink and Planet Her, were somewhat commercially driven, even referring to them as "cash-grabs."
  
  I'm a puppet, I'm a sheep, I'm a cash cow
  I'm the fastest-growing b--ch on all your apps now
  You are tired of me 'cause I'm on your ass now
  
  The term "cash cow" might also subtly allude to her 2018 viral hit "Mooo!!" where she playfully declared:
  
  Bi--h, I'm a cow
  
  Later in the verse, Doja reflects on her transition towards more hip-hop-oriented tracks on Scarlett and asserts that those wishing for her downfall are in for disappointment.
  
  Lots of people that were sleeping say I rap now
  Lots of people's hopes and dreams are finally trashed now
  Lots of people say they met me in the past now
  I done took the spotlight and made 'em black out
• Doja wrote "Demons" with Christina Doman (Kodak Black's "Zeze," Tyga's "Do My Dance").
• Christina Doman's husband, David "D.A. Got That Dope" Doman produced the track. A Chicago-native, Doman is a frequent Eminem collaborator and also has credits for songs by Chris Brown ("Privacy"), Megan Thee Stallion ("Cry Baby") and Post Malone ("Motley Crew").
• Doja co-directed the horror-movie-style music video with Christian Breslauer (SZA/Chris Brown). It finds a razor-clawed devilish creature (Doja Cat) wreaking havoc on a suburban home occupied by a mild-mannered mom (played by The Addams Family actress Christina Ricci).