Give Me Novacaine
Green Day / Cast of American Idiot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bitter sweet migraine in my head
It's like a throbbing tooth ache of the mind
I can't take this feeling anymore
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
So give me Novacaine
Out of body and out of mind
Kiss the demons out of my dreams
I get the funny feeling, that's alright
Jimmy says it's better than here
I'll tell you why
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Oh Novacaine
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me Jimmy I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Green Day’s song “Give Me Novacaine” is a rather emotional piece that departs from their usual punk-rock style, featuring more of a soft, acoustic sound. The song addresses a feeling of hopelessness or despair, as depicted in the opening lyrics of the song, “Take away the sensation inside, Bitter sweet migraine in my head, It's like a throbbing tooth ache of the mind, I can't take this feeling anymore.” These lyrics give the portrayal of a feeling that is so intense that it causes physical sensation, which is unbearable. The reference to a migraine is used here to underscore the gravity of the situation.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the singer has a desire to escape from the reality of their life and their feeling of hopelessness. This is evidenced by the lines “Out of body and out of mind, Kiss the demons out of my dreams, I get the funny feeling, that's alright, Jimmy says it's better than here.” They want to escape the pain of the present reality into a state of numbness, promoted by the use of Novacaine, which will help them forget and free them from their current state of mind. The use of Novacaine in the song serves as a metaphorical representation of the singer's desire to escape from their reality.
Overall, the song demonstrates the use of raw and relatable lyrics to create an emotional connection with listeners. Green Day has managed to communicate the complexities of their mind and heartfelt emotions through this song in a way that resonates with many who have experienced similar situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Take away the sensation inside
The singer wants to numb their inner feelings.
Bitter sweet migraine in my head
The singer is experiencing a complicated and painful mental state.
It's like a throbbing tooth ache of the mind
The pain is persistent and concentrated in their mind.
I can't take this feeling anymore
The artist is unable to bear their present emotional turmoil.
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The artist wants to release the pressure caused by their distress.
The sensation's overwhelming
The feeling is consuming their entire being.
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
The singer wants a comforting experience to escape from their mental anguish.
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
The artist wants to be assured that they'll be numbed from their emotional pain.
So give me Novacaine
The artist is requesting for a type of anesthetic that can help them forget their troubles.
Out of body and out of mind
The artist wants to be detached from their physical and mental reality.
Kiss the demons out of my dreams
The singer desires to be free of their nightmares and negative thoughts.
I get the funny feeling, that's alright
The artist acknowledges the unusual sensation caused by the anesthetic, and accepts it as a means of escaping their emotions.
Jimmy says it's better than here
Jimmy, who could be a friend or a figure of the singer's imagination, believes that the anesthetic-induced state is better than the current distressing reality.
I'll tell you why
The singer is about to explain why they need the anesthetic to numb their emotional pain.
Oh Novacaine
The singer repeats their request for Novacaine.
Tell me Jimmy I won't feel a thing
The artist seeks reassurance from Jimmy that the anesthetic will completely numb them.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL PRITCHARD, FRANK E., III WRIGHT, BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Valeria Salazar
Take away the sensation inside
Bitter sweet migraine in my head
It's like a throbbing tooth ache of the mind
I can't take this feeling anymore
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Out of body and out of mind
Kiss the demons out of my dreams
I get the funny feeling, that's alright
Jimmy says it's better than here
I'll tell you why
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Oh Novacaine
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me Jimmy I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Sharkz1192
Take away the sensation inside
Bittersweet migraine in my head
It's like a throbbing toothache of the mind
I can't take this feeling anymore
Drain the pressure from the swelling
This sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight
And everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Out of body and out of mind
Kiss the demons out of my dreams
I get the funny feeling and that's alright
Jimmy says it's better than here
I tell you what
Drain the pressure from the swelling
This sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight
And everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Oh Novacaine
Drain the pressure from the swelling
This sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight
And everything will be alright
Tell me Jimmy, I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
She's a rebel, she's a saint
She's the salt of the earth and she's dangerous
She's a rebel vigilante
Missing link on the brink of destruction
From Chicago to Toronto
She's the one that they call old Whatsername
She's a symbol of resistance
And she's holding on my heart like a hand grenade
Is she dreaming what I'm thinking?
Is she the mother of all bombs, gonna detonate?
Is she trouble like I'm trouble?
Make it a double twist of fate or a melody
That she sings the revolution
The dawning of our lives
She brings this liberation
That I just can't define
Well, nothing comes to mind
Hey!
She sings the revolution
The dawning of our lives
She brings this liberation
That I just can't define
Well, nothing comes to mind
She's a rebel, she's a saint
She's the salt of the earth and she's dangerous
She's a rebel vigilante
Missing link on the brink of destruction
She's a rebel, she's a saint
She's the salt of the earth and she's dangerous
She's a rebel vigilante
Missing link on the brink of destruction
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
And she's dangerous
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
And she's dangerous
Valeria Salazar
Take away the sensation inside
Bitter sweet migraine in my head
It's like a throbbing tooth ache of the mind
I can't take this feeling anymore
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Out of body and out of mind
Kiss the demons out of my dreams
I get the funny feeling, that's alright
Jimmy says it's better than here
I'll tell you why
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Oh Novacaine
Drain the pressure from the swelling
The sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight and everything will be alright
Tell me Jimmy I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Mariah Warner
I love this acoutstic version, Michael's voice is perfect for it.
haley
On the original album, the song is sung from the Jesus of Suburbia's (changed to Johnny in the show) point of view. The songs probably have two different meanings on the album and in the show. So in the show, Will, a friend of Johnny (The Jesus of Suburbia), sings this song about how he wishes he could go to the city with Johnny to finally get out of Jingletown. They also changed "Jimmy says it's better than air" to "Johnny says it's better than HERE" 'Here' being Jingletown. I hope I helped!
Allie Bear
Can't beat the original but love the take on it.
NobodysPerfect1190
Saw this show 11 times while it was on Broadway. Has to be my all time favorite due to the story line and amazing cast. This was always my favorite song the entire show and Michael Esper is just AMAZING! Heard he is doing a new musical soon, cant wait to see him in that.
Michael William Ybarra
NobodysPerfect1190 I believe the new show you were talking about is The Last Ship by Sting himself. If so, then I agree with you; he’s a great singer and actor, and The Last Ship was the first show I first heard of him from!
Musab Tanveer
That slide guitar version when Billie sings the 2nd verse.... Makes me cry like a little boy everytime
moviebuffreviews
Green Day version will always be the most revolutionary, but this version is still awesome.
KattjaNOR
I love Michael Esper's voice!!!!! :D <3 It's so sad he's gonna quit :'(
Sharkz1192
Take away the sensation inside
Bittersweet migraine in my head
It's like a throbbing toothache of the mind
I can't take this feeling anymore
Drain the pressure from the swelling
This sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight
And everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Out of body and out of mind
Kiss the demons out of my dreams
I get the funny feeling and that's alright
Jimmy says it's better than here
I tell you what
Drain the pressure from the swelling
This sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight
And everything will be alright
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
Oh Novacaine
Drain the pressure from the swelling
This sensation's overwhelming
Give me a long kiss goodnight
And everything will be alright
Tell me Jimmy, I won't feel a thing
So give me Novacaine
She's a rebel, she's a saint
She's the salt of the earth and she's dangerous
She's a rebel vigilante
Missing link on the brink of destruction
From Chicago to Toronto
She's the one that they call old Whatsername
She's a symbol of resistance
And she's holding on my heart like a hand grenade
Is she dreaming what I'm thinking?
Is she the mother of all bombs, gonna detonate?
Is she trouble like I'm trouble?
Make it a double twist of fate or a melody
That she sings the revolution
The dawning of our lives
She brings this liberation
That I just can't define
Well, nothing comes to mind
Hey!
She sings the revolution
The dawning of our lives
She brings this liberation
That I just can't define
Well, nothing comes to mind
She's a rebel, she's a saint
She's the salt of the earth and she's dangerous
She's a rebel vigilante
Missing link on the brink of destruction
She's a rebel, she's a saint
She's the salt of the earth and she's dangerous
She's a rebel vigilante
Missing link on the brink of destruction
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
And she's dangerous
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
She's a rebel
And she's dangerous