Format CD
7" vinyl Label DreamWorks | Length 3:08 "Novocaine for the Soul"
(1996) "Susan's House"
(1997) | |
Released 1996 (U.S.)
3 February 1997 (UK) Writer(s) Mark Oliver Everett
Mark Goldenberg | ||
"Novocaine for the Soul" is a song by American rock band Eels. It was released as the first single from their 1996 debut album, Beautiful Freak.
Contents
Samples
The song's opening sample has been variously identified as from Captain Kings and the Monkeytimers' "Straightaway", Fats Domino's "Let the Four Winds Blow," and a track called "She Knows" from a 1964 Beatles knock-off album by The Schoolboys.
Release
"Novocaine for the Soul" brought Eels international success, most notably in the UK, where it hit number 10 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1997. It also hit number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for two weeks in October 1996, and remained on the chart for 25 weeks. In Australia, "Novocaine For the Soul" peaked at number 84 in October 1996.
The song's popularity was also aided by its later use in the British television show Trigger Happy TV. It was also featured in the films Berlin Blues, Mean Creek, Dream for an Insomniac, and in a trailer for the 2001 film Novocaine, as well an episode of My Mad Fat Diary.
Music video
The music video was directed by Mark Romanek and features E and the other band members suspended on wires, making them appear to be flying. Romanek states that he was inspired by Mary Poppins, a film he had seen as a child.
Track listing
- "Novocaine for the Soul"
- "Guest List"
- "My Beloved Monster" (Live from Tennessee)
- "Fucker"