Album: Single release only (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Unlikely Candidates are a Texas rock band comprising lead vocalist Kyle Morris, lead guitarist Brenton Carney, guitarist Cole Male, bassist Jared Hornbeek and drummer Kevin Goddard. After forming at their Fort Worth high school, they released their debut EP, Follow My Feet, in 2013. The title track became their first hit, reaching the Top 10 of Billboard's Adult Alternative Songs chart.
  • Novocaine, I keep it coming so I feel no pain
    I tell my girl that I'mma change my ways
    She knows I'm never gonna change


    Novocaine is a local anesthetic drug used today by certain doctors and dentists. It works by blocking the nerves in your body from sending pain signals to your brain. Morris explained to ABC Audio that he wrote the song about his "slacker lifestyle," which comprises "not really going anywhere, but also lamenting it as well."
  • The song slowly climbed up Billboard's Alternative Songs chart before reaching the summit in its 33rd week. It gave The Unlikely Candidates their first #1 on any Billboard ranking.

    "It's funny that the song we wrote about being a slacker ended up being our highest-achieving one ever," Morris told Billboard. "I think that's also why it did so well, though. Everyone can relate to being a bit of a slacker now and then."
  • "Novocaine" reached the top of the Alternative Songs chart on March 9, 2020. By March 11, the World Health Organization had declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a pandemic. Morris said he is grateful that The Unlikely Candidates hit #1 when everything was still normal, as they could "celebrate and have our moment before this big storm cloud approached."

    Then the lockdown started coming into operation with people never leaving their houses - and the irony isn't lost on Morris. "Now we live in this strange world where being a slacker just kind of coexists with being a successful, contributing member to society," he said.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.