2. Driveways is a 4-piece punk band from Wolverhampton UK. Driveways includes Ross Law on guitar and vocals, Dom Mathewson on bass, Phil Brunsdon on guitar and vocals, and James Vallis on drums.
Novocaine
Driveways Lyrics
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Straight novocaine
I can't get away
(I can't get away)
I showed no restraint
Make no mistake
I can't get away
(I can't get away)
Her words are suicide
Straight suicide
This time's do or die
(This times do or die)
Pills won't slow the pain
Won't go away
Her words are novocaine
(Her words are novocaine)
You're the first thing that I think of when I can't close my eyes
(Can't close my eyes)
Terrors in the night and they're all
Personified through the fictions you write
(Fictions you write)
Blackout real life just in time
Her words are venomous
Straight venomous
I can't reminisce
(I can't reminisce)
Or else it's imminent
I'll let her in
Please stay disciplined
(I need medicine)
Her words are preconceived
Don't be deceived
Back down leave it be
(Back down leave it be)
That's too strenuous
Truth went amiss
Her words are venomous
(Her words are venomous)
Time flew by
I can't remember the words you said then
This was never by my design
But you're forever my worst intention
Time flew by
I can't remember the words you said then
And this was never by my design
But you're forever my worst intent,
Percocet, purpose that's left in my life
Her words are novocaine
Straight novocaine
I can't get away
(I can't get away)
I showed no restraint
Make no mistake
I can't get away
(I can't get away)
Her words are suicide
Straight suicide
This time's do or die
(This times do or die)
Pills won't slow the pain
Won't go away
Her words are novocaine
(Novocaine)
Time flew by
I can't remember the words you said then
This was never by my design
But you're forever my worst intention
Time flew by
I can't remember the words you said then
And this was never by my design
But you're forever my worst intent,
Percocet, purpose that's left in my life
The lyrics of Driveways’ song “Novocaine” paint a picture of a toxic relationship that is hard to escape from. The singer compares their partner’s words to “novocaine” and “straight suicide,” indicating that their words numb him and push him towards self-destructive tendencies. This is evident in the line “pills won’t slow the pain,” which suggests that the singer is trying to dull the effects of their partner’s words with medication, but to no avail. Despite recognizing the harm being caused by the relationship, the singer feels trapped and unable to leave. This is emphasized by the repetition of “I can’t get away” throughout the song.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of memory and the power of words to shape one’s experience. The singer reflects on the fact that he can’t remember the exact words his partner said, but their impact is still felt on him. This is evident in the lines “Terrors in the night and they’re all personified through the fictions you write” and “But you’re forever my worst intention” which suggest that the partner’s words have created a distorted reality for the singer, one that is filled with fear and negative thoughts. Despite this, the singer is still drawn towards the toxic relationship, revealed in the lines “And this was never by my design/ But you’re forever my worst intent.”
In summary, “Novocaine” by Driveways is a powerful reminder of the impact of toxic relationships on mental health, memory and self-perception, themes that are explored through the use of vivid and emotional lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Her words are novocaine
Her words numb me like novocaine
Straight novocaine
Her words are direct and effective at numbing me
I can't get away
(I can't get away)
I am trapped and cannot escape her influence
I showed no restraint
I did not hold back from her or her words
Make no mistake
Do not misunderstand the power her words have over me
Her words are suicide
Her words are dangerous and self-destructive to me
Straight suicide
Her words are direct and effective at causing harm
This time's do or die
(This times do or die)
This is a critical moment where I must overcome or be destroyed
Pills won't slow the pain
Won't go away
No amount of medication can lessen or eliminate the pain I feel
You're the first thing that I think of when I can't close my eyes
(Can't close my eyes)
When I am unable to rest, I am haunted by thoughts of you
Terrors in the night and they're all
Personified through the fictions you write
(Fictions you write)
The nightmares I experience are brought to life by the scenarios you describe
Blackout real life just in time
Right before reality becomes too overwhelming, I am able to black out and escape
Her words are venomous
Her words are poisonous and harmful to me
Straight venomous
Her words are direct and effective at causing harm
I can't reminisce
(I can't reminisce)
I cannot look back on memories of her without being affected by her words
Or else it's imminent
I'll let her in
Please stay disciplined
(I need medicine)
I must resist the urge to engage with her, and instead seek help to overcome her hold on me
Her words are preconceived
Don't be deceived
Back down leave it be
(Back down leave it be)
Her words are calculated and planned, so I must not be fooled and instead avoid them
That's too strenuous
Truth went amiss
Fighting against her words is too difficult, and sometimes the truth gets lost in the struggle
Time flew by
I can't remember the words you said then
This was never by my design
But you're forever my worst intention
Time has passed and I cannot recall the exact things she said, but her impact on my life was never my choice and she continues to be a negative force in my life
Percocet, purpose that's left in my life
The only purpose I have left is to numb myself with medication
Contributed by Alyssa Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dylanbarnes9195
Great song keep making music!
@drivewaysband
we will try
@blueXtwoplustwo
Give Me Novacaine
@sputz357
This is amazing... beautiful... like I found my new “Brand New” but even better because I haven’t heard a song yet I don’t like by these guys fuuck
@drivewaysband
haha love us some BN