In his own words (from his myspace page):
“For me it’s all about the SONG. I remember watching my father sitting at our dining room table for hours and hours with his pencil and pad crafting his songs; spending the time to find the perfect word, the perfect chord, the perfect melody. That really made an impression on me. When I write a song it really is a kind of science, an operation; but it isn’t mathematical or calculated, it is alive and breathing and moving. At the risk of sounding like a hippie on a soapbox, music is still powerful and holy and sacred to me. You can turn it into a product and a business, but you can’t start it that way. To me the genesis of a song has to be honest and unassuming. I truly believe that God hands me these gifts and it is my job to translate them as honestly as I can. You have to let a song be what it is. We can’t lose that. When I write songs, I like to focus on the fact that we are all the same and we are all just searching for answers and trying to make sense of everything. It's about exploring life and celebrating truth when you find it.”
Novocaine
Sean McConnell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Struggle like a catfish on the line
You let me out about suppertime
And I'm swimming through the taillights
I pop a tire on the interstate
Put it in the fridge I'll be coming home late
See you when I can I can't wait your such a sight for sore eyes
Let me drink it till I get drunk
It's been a painful day
Be my Novocain
Nothing gets me high like you
Makes me smile the way you do
Help me turn off my brain
Baby be my Novocain
Oh baby be my Novocain
Let me have a hit of your kiss
Baby I'm addicted to your lips
You could launch a thousand ships
My Helen of Troy
I feel like a millionaire
Like I could fly or walk on air
When I catch you with that stare like come get me boy
Sometimes I need a getaway
A fast break from the day to day
So go on girl take me away
Come on over be my Novocain
Solo
The lyrics in Sean McConnell's song Novocaine demonstrate the idea of finding comfort and temporary escape in someone else. The singer seems to be going through a tough time working hard until the sun goes down and popping a tire on the interstate. However, the sight of his lover is like a soothing balm that provides a break from the pain of reality. The singer is addicted to the comfort that his partner brings and compares them to a cigarette or Novocaine - a numbing agent. The love interest in the song is portrayed as someone who has the power to make everything better with just a kiss. They are compared to the mythical character Helen of Troy, who was said to launch a thousand ships, emphasizing their power and beauty.
The singer reveals that he needs the love interest's touch to turn off his brain and take him away from the day-to-day struggles. The song's use of metaphors emphasizes the idea that love can be like a drug or an addiction that provides an escape from reality. Novocaine is often used as a local anesthesia to provide temporary relief from pain, emphasizing the temporary nature of the escape that the song's speaker is seeking.
Line by Line Meaning
I work until the sun don't shine
I work hard and long hours until the sun sets
Struggle like a catfish on the line
I face challenges and obstacles like a fish caught on a line
You let me out about suppertime
You release me from work around dinnertime
And I'm swimming through the taillights
I drive home through the traffic and tail lights
I pop a tire on the interstate
My tire suddenly bursts when I'm driving on the highway
Put it in the fridge I'll be coming home late
I store the tire in the fridge since I won't be home for a while
See you when I can I can't wait your such a sight for sore eyes
I look forward to seeing you whenever I can, as you are a beautiful sight that helps ease my tired eyes
Baby be my cigarette buzz
Let me feel the euphoria you give me, like a cigarette buzz
Let me drink it till I get drunk
Let me soak in your love and affection until it intoxicates me
It's been a painful day
Today has been difficult
Be my Novocain
Be my painkiller and help me forget my troubles
Nothing gets me high like you
Nothing else makes me feel as euphoric as being with you
Makes me smile the way you do
You have a beautiful smile that brightens up my day
Help me turn off my brain
Help me stop thinking and relax my mind
Oh baby be my Novocain
Oh baby, be my painkiller and help me forget my troubles
Let me have a hit of your kiss
Let me experience the pleasure of your kiss
Baby I'm addicted to your lips
I have a strong addiction to your lips and the pleasure they bring me
You could launch a thousand ships
You are so beautiful that you could inspire a great adventure or cause
My Helen of Troy
You are my Helen of Troy, a symbol of beauty and inspiration
I feel like a millionaire
I feel incredibly wealthy and fortunate when I'm with you
Like I could fly or walk on air
I feel light and carefree, like I could fly or walk on air
When I catch you with that stare like come get me boy
When you give me that look that says 'come get me', it excites and entices me
Sometimes I need a getaway
Sometimes I need to escape from my stressful life
A fast break from the day to day
A quick respite from my normal routine and responsibilities
So go on girl take me away
Take me away from my troubles and worries, girl
Come on over be my Novocain
Come be my painkiller and help me forget my troubles
Solo
This is an instrumental break without lyrics
Writer(s): Sean Mcconnell
Contributed by Nathaniel A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.