Novocaine (The Eyes of Alice Cooper, 2003)

The Eyes of Alice Cooper, released in September 2003, finds Alice moving past the doom and gloom of industrial metal (found on Brutal Planet and Dragontown) and returning to his roots. The LP is a mixture of humor, reality, and pure untainted Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Alice admits the album is a “stripped-down LP with no defined concept.” As a result, each song has a unique sound, ambiance, and narrative. Another notable fact, the cover art on the album features four different versions of Alice’s eyes – red, blue, green, and purple.

This week we look at the fourth song on The Eyes of Alice Cooper LP, “Novocaine.” Alice gave guitarist Ryan Roxie the artistic freedom to allot his own flair and direction to the song but only after a slight adjustment.

“I let Ryan be a little country on “Novocaine,” I said play it the way you think it should be. He played it, and it really was way too country. I said yeah, that fits that song. It’s Sticky Fingers, but no, I need a little more angst in it, so when he played it the next time, he played with a bit more of an “Eighteen” sound to it. But that’s the most natural song on the album.” – Alice Cooper

Looking at the lyrics, the song refers to the impact of life’s challenges – the things that continue to eat away at us until we lose all feeling and emotion. Such gnawing, raw feelings lead to numbness and leave us at the point where we’d like to “feel once again.”

When I was 10, fell out of bed
Got three stitches in my head
It hurt like hell
I saw the blood; I felt the pain
I’d like to feel it once again
’Cause I don’t feel it

Then I got stung, right on the face
I screamed and ran around the place
It hurt like hell
I swoll right up; I burned for days
I’d like to feel it once again

Cause when you touch me
When you hold me
When you kiss me
I don’t feel anything
When you touch me
When you hold me
When you kiss me
It’s just like Novocaine

I remember every cut and scrape
I’ve been numb so long
Something’s wrong
So I’ll take anything

Pain is a curious thing – not just physical pain but all forms of pain (emotional, mental, spiritual, etc.). Perpetual pain often leads us to multiple scenarios – some of those being shocked and dazed – emotionless. Some of that numbness is psychological, and another part may be self-induced.

Unfortunately, many of us bury the pain with other things such as drugs, alcohol, work, hobbies, etc. Masking the problem and refusing to deal with the pain’s source might anesthetize feelings for a time, but at some point, we must face our demons head-on with God’s help.

A good portion of the pain we experience comes from living life apart from God. That is NOT a judgmental declaration of how anyone should deal with pain. However, striving to live by our Creator’s design is our best chance at living a healthy, more sustainable life.

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me, and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” – John 6:32-40

The above-listed verses are words spoken by Jesus. Notice how Christ reveals the Father’s plan – none shall thirst or go hungry if they come to Him. It’s an essential lesson for all humanity. We were designed for a purpose and instructed how to implement His plan for our lives.

Many call the yearning to find life’s purpose the “God-shaped hole” in our hearts – a thirst and longing for more than this world can provide. But how often do we cause ourselves undue harm and pain by trying to shove other things into that void?

Instead of turning entirely to Our Creator and living by His Design, we often create our own narratives and expect the outcome to be joyful and fulfilling. As a result, we grow further numb instead of dealing with our pain.

How often do we turn to sex, death, money, alcohol, drugs, hobbies, etc., instead of searching for true meaning and purpose? It’s as if the suppression of God’s Love and Spirit has become humanity’s go-to religion. We’d rather wallow in misery than ask for help or discover the answers to life’s questions.

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who draws strength from mere flesh
    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
    they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
    in a salt land where no one lives.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

9 The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

10 “I the Lord search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.” – Jeremiah 17:5-10

Life is not simple. However, it is short. Therefore, we must search for our purpose not according to man but our Creator – our Heavenly Father.

The more we seek Him, the more exciting and fulfilling we find our time spent here. Instead of becoming “living” zombies locked in “mundane, artificial” happiness, we are offered “true, intentional” joy by His Design unlocked by His Grace, Mercy, and Love.

So which do we choose? Numbness or awareness? Artificial or genuine? Resentment or tranquility?

It might be uneasy to realize, but we often choose to be numb – we choose our own forms of “Novocaine.” For some of us, it may be more blatant than others. However, we secure our numbness, resentment, and artificial enjoyment whenever we choose this world over His Word.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4

It takes perseverance and determination to remain focused on Him. However, our minds remain clearer and our hearts more content when we do. When we redirect our attention from this world to Him, we begin to “feel once again.” We become new creations restored by Him and His Love (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Wrapping up this post, this isn’t some call or decree for us to write off the world or refuse to associate with others. On the contrary, it’s quite the opposite. It’s a call for healing – to face our pain and ask Him to mend the wounds instead of just anesthetizing them (Jeremiah 17:14).

As we heal, Christ’s nature becomes more and more prevalent in our lives. We become new creations and a representation of hope in a dying world. We are asked to share that hope with others.

But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. – 1 Peter 3:5-6

When others see a change in us and our ability to “feel once again,” they may wonder how that transformation took place. That curiosity allows us to share Christ with them, but as Peter implies, it requires we do so with gentleness and respect – a good dose of humility.

We must remember that the spark that helps light someone else’s flame may be seen within us (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Therefore, our demeanor and tone are paramount. The gift of redemption was given to us by the grace of our Father. We should offer that same grace to others as well.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” – John 17:20-25

Jesus’s prayer found in John 17 is fascinating. First, notice His call for unity – that those who have come to know Him as Lord should be vessels for those that haven’t. With that, He reveals our Father’s intention – that we might all bring our pain and sorrows to Him.

Instead of using some artificial source as “Novocaine,” our Father asks that we allow Him to comfort us in our most challenging moments and offer that same comfort to others.

As that circle of Love becomes complete, may all humanity “begin to feel once again” and know the source of that Love – our Hope, our Strength, our Savior – Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, The Eyes of Alice Cooper is one of FWA’s favorite albums. It’s a must-have Alice Cooper LP. The songs are modern-day Alice with classic vibes – no concept per se but solidly written tracks with stories to tell.

While many bands and artists cease to find relevance or remain on top of their game, Alice isn’t one of them. He hasn’t missed a beat and continues to produce “Killer” music and captivating shows.

Many claim Rock ‘n’ Roll is dead, but Alice would be the first to claim that’s absurd. He’s been quoted as saying Rock will still be around some 30 to 40 years from now and that garage bands far and wide are still learning Aerosmith and Guns ‘n’ Roses songs (among others).

While it’s true that many garage bands are learning to play classic Rock, it seems Alice is being modest. We’re positive just as many bands are learning to play “I’m Eighteen,” “School’s Out,” “Poison,” or any number of other AC songs. The face of Rock ‘n’ Roll would not be the same without Alice Cooper.

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday.

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!