It was written by Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, and Jack Douglas, their producer, who helped the band write many of the songs on Draw the Line.

Steven Tyler said of "Kings and Queens" in the liner notes to Pandora's Box:[2] This one was just about how many people died from holy wars because of their beliefs or non-beliefs.

With that one, my brain was back with the knights of the round table...Cash Box said it has "a big production, driving beat and cymbal work, tight vocals, guitars and a piano-bass interlude.

"[4] Record World said that "Steve Tyler's musings on European history make for an enjoyable hard-rock single.

"Kings and Queens" is a master track in the game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and is unlocked upon beating the last song, "Train Kept A-Rollin".