Eels – Novocaine For The Soul

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  General Comment:Okay, this song is about two different things. The funny part is, everyone has said one end or the other, but not both. Some people said it's about escapism essentially, finding a cause to make life worthwhile, and that is true. Chocolatesundae thinks its about drugs; that is also correct. Its about using some substance(almost any would fit applicably in context) to get by everyday without feeling like you're 'going through the motions' as E alludes to "This paint-by-numbers life." If you'd ever experienced such a shitty existence, you know how true the lyrics are. When you're coming down a.k.a. "sputtering out" and you're barely functioning, can't cope with any of it, might as well be a vegetable. But as long as you've got your drug of choice, you're fine, life is all of a sudden great, you can do this one more day. When you run out and come down, it's very 'gotta get it somewhere, anywhere, give it to me right fucking now' just to make your day bearable. You DO feel empty, antisocial, apathetic, and hollow. Like the way he describes the feeling is perfect, being "the great undead". He's very cynically addressing how the high gives him an artificial, saccharin happiness in the last verse.

  Flag Revidescent_84on June 16, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:Heard this the other day, it had been awhile. It's a plea for help when you have been trying to tell others you need help and no one seems to listen. Still a boss tune.

  Flag LaurelGon May 16, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I agree with the folk who see the song as being about sex, drugs, death, religion and the feeling that there is some terrible void inside. In specific answer to the question of MRDuffy573, biblical writings indicate that Jesus will (at a time oft predicted but known by none) return in glory to judge the living and the dead - and that is what I beieve the writer has picked up on. If any one is curious, read or watch the "Left Behind" series. On the topic of the terrible void inside, I urge people to out seek God, it fills the terrible void and puts sex, drugs, death and religion in their proper places (ie the only one that you need to banish is death, talk to Jesus about that). I love this song, and songs that speak to a persons soul, to me, are evidence of a divine creator.

  Flag MrsMacDonaldon October 12, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:It's about having an empty life and wanting to look for something to fill that void of emptiness. Like that one guy said, it can be sex, religion or music the first two referenced in the song.

  Flag Aenema91on October 02, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:Th is a masterpiece of a song. Its about the need for the real me in everybody that needs to be submerged by the reality of this life which can sometimes appear banal. The sexual references are firmly tongue in cheek for those who surf on this banality.
  The 'Jesus and lawyer are coming back' line is design to sit on the bass line and prick all our little ears up.

  Flag stuartorchardgiraffeon September 03, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:Any thoughts or opinions on 'jesus and his lawyer, are coming back'?

  Flag MRDuffy573on September 21, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:sorry just realised how bloody twattish that sounded, one of my failed attempts to make myself sound marginally intelligent, its a bloody good song but i cant begin to guess as to what its about

  Flag gaberdine anguson October 27, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:i always thought it was strictly about numbing the sould, killing off all morals, dignity and conscious thought and allowing yourself to hit bottom, diverting all pain and becoming emotionless, which surely stands next to godlyness as there can be no pain, or happiness i suppose but personally i always thought that was overrated, i think its about living for someone else, not caring about your own thoughts and feelings but just surviving for the sake of a loved one

  Flag gaberdine anguson October 09, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:hey guess what, its novocainE for the soul, with and E and the end of NOVOCAIN. thank you for the one dude that commented on the other page for this song, the real one.

  Flag drummer4844on January 29, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:oh, and this song reminds me of lying it bed trying to sleep and often having to pretend to be dead in order to sleap.

  Flag Musixexon January 04, 2008   Link

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