10 Great Songs Never Released As Singles
2. Give Me Novacaine - Green Day
Although traditionally known as a punk band, Green Day have been known to break out the acoustics every now and again for more thoughtful material. Many people tend to single out "Wake Me Up When September Ends" from American Idiot when discussing the band's softer side, but "Give Me Novacaine" taps into something much different.
Coming as it does in the middle of the band's rock opera, "Give Me Novacaine" is when the Jesus of Suburbia is finding it hard coping with life in the city environment. The songs beautiful major chord melody belies the dark lyrics about drug abuse within. Given his overwhelming feelings of living in the city, our main character turns to the pleasures of narcotics to take him away from his messed-up world.
Instead of the melancholy found on "September Ends," "Give Me Novacaine" is a sad lament of not wanting to feel pain and the ongoing desire to be numb from all your worldly troubles. And just like that, the song ends by launching into "She's a Rebel," which helps pull Jesus out of his stupor. Nevertheless, this Green Day slowjam is criminally overlooked for its beautiful melody and understated sadness.