Novocaine for the Soul

Novocaine for the Soul is the first track from eels' debut album Beautiful Freak. It is also the the band's first single (released in 1996), proving a commercial success in both the United States and United Kingdom (where it reached number ten in the UK Singles Chart in February 1997.) The track is three minutes and eight seconds long, featuring a sample from Fats Domino's 1961 single "Let the Four Winds Blow."

The video for the single was directed by Mark Romanek and features the band suspended from wires so as to appear to be flying. Romanak has suggested that the video is inspired by the movie Mary Poppins.

In line with Mark Oliver Everett's philosophy the track has been remixed and recorded differently on a number of albums including a spoken word version on Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased 1996–2006.

Lyrics
Life is hard, and so am I You'd better give me something, so I don't die Novocaine for the soul Before I sputter out Before I sputter out

Life is white and I am black Jesus and his lawyer are coming back Oh my darling, will you be here Before I sputter out Before I sputter out Before I sputter out

Guess who's living here, with the great undead This paint-by-numbers life is fucking with my head Once again

Life is good and I feel great 'Cause mother says I was a great mistake Novocaine for the soul You'd better give me something to fill the hole Before I sputter out Before I sputter out Before I sputter out Before I sputter outBefore I sputter out

Single Track Listing

 * 1) "Novocaine for the Soul"
 * 2) "Guest List"
 * 3) "My Beloved Monster" (Live from Tennessee)
 * 4) "Fucker"