Do you remember the Violent Femmes? They were the premier College Folk Punk trio of the 80s. And, perhaps, the only band of that sort that had any sort of mainstream success. That was the result of being in the right place at the right time, having a truly unique sound, and writing songs that were fun, irreverent, sometimes hilarious, and also just really well-crafted.
This band was a trio for most of its existence and was active from 1981 until their break-up in 2009. However, it was their first record, the self–titled 1983 debut, that hit it big and contained Violent Femmes’ best-loved songs.
“Blister in the Sun” is one of these. But, have you ever wondered, or argued, about the meaning behind “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes? Let’s see if we can pick this song apart and try to figure out the cryptic meaning of “Blister in the Sun.”
The Violent Femmes: A Quick History
This band was formed by drummer Victor DeLorenzo and bassist Brian Ritchie in Milwaukee back in 1981. Ritchie made up the name ‘Violent Femmes’ as a joke. But it stuck, and that’s what they were called when joined by singer-guitarist Gordon Gano. Gano’s songwriting talent and odd voice fit right into the band’s dynamic, and they started playing together at house parties and on street corners.
By 1983, they had gathered enough momentum to get into the studio…
They laid down 12 tracks, ten of which were pressed into their debut album, Violent Femmes, and released in April. This record made a real splash on college radio across America.
The drumming was minimal but energetic. Most songs were pushed along by Ritchie’s dynamic basslines, letting Gano focus on singing. His nasal voice, unusual delivery, and cute lyrics helped to create a unique sound that people really liked.
The band started touring in support of the record. Although, they received little mainstream radio play and never made the Top 200. Still, this record eventually sold over a million copies in the US alone, earning a platinum certification.
From there…
The band released four more albums, dabbling in Country Music and Gospel sounds before returning to their Folk Punk roots. DeLorenzo left the band in 1993 and was replaced by Guy Hoffman. They made three more albums, and then DeLorenzo rejoined the band in 2002.
Over the next few years, they toured extensively, then split up in 2009 as a result of a rift between Ritchie and Gano. But in 2013, they reunited; however, DeLorenzo soon left the project. So, drumming and percussion were left up to new members John Sparrow and Blaise Garza, respectively.
Violent Femmes have put out two more albums since getting back together. The most recent is 2019’s Hotel Last Resort. But, when we look at the best Violent Femmes songs of all time, we still have to go back to their 1983 debut.
The Meaning Behind “Blister In the Sun” by Violent Femmes
“Blister In the Sun” was recorded back in 1983 for the Violent Femmes’ first album. Almost all the songs on this album were written by Gordon Gano when he was a high school student. These songs dealt with his religious upbringing as the son of a preacher and the awkwardness of social relationships he felt due to changing schools frequently.
But “Blister In the Sun” is about something different…
According to Gano, this song doesn’t have any sort of secret or hidden meaning. He tips his hat to Elton John’s “Rocket Man” in his lyrics which he says are all about drug use. He mentions being strung out and being high as a kite. But, at the same time, other lines aren’t clear at all.
He sings about making a mess of his bed and upsetting his girlfriend. Are these other references to problems caused by drug use? The title of the song, which features in the chorus, is possibly the most confusing part of the whole thing. What does it mean, in his eyes, to “blister in the sun”?
Surely that represents a painful, itchy, tormenting sunburn that could be compared to another feeling. When heroin addicts are strung out, unable to score drugs, they feel intense, and to them, real physical pain. So, this might also be a reference to that feeling.
Here’s the problem with that…
Gano has never spoken publicly about any drug abuse problem in his life. So, if this song is about drug use and abuse and the associated feelings of the addict and others surrounding them, where did he get the ideas from? Interestingly, Gano has stated that this song was written for another singer.
He had met a woman at a coffee house who was interested in starting a band, and he was invited to audition as a guitarist. So, he wrote this song for her project, intending to present it for his audition, but that never happened. All in all, it’s a weird story and also a pretty weird song.
What ISN’T “Blister In the Sun” About?
I’ve been told my whole life that “Blister in the Sun” is about masturbation. Haven’t you? There are some clues in this direction in the lyrics. Such as messing up the bed, upsetting his girlfriend, and something about big hands…? Rumor has it that the song was even banned from some college radio stations because of that assumed theme.
The thing is, Gano denies it…
According to him, that was something he never thought about when he wrote the song. However, he can see why people might take things in that direction. At the same time, like so many artists, he won’t come out and directly explain his lyrics line-by-line. And, good for him. Leave it up to his audience to decide, I say.
But is he just being coy with us?
It’s easy to simply play dumb and pretend like he hasn’t thought much about the lyrics. At the same time, this is Violent Femmes’ most popular and recognizable song and one they have been playing for nearly 40 years (if you don’t count the break). My feeling? I think he likes the controversy that his ambiguous lyrics have created. So, why bother trying to quell that by setting the record straight?
The Music Behind “Blister In the Sun”
The music for “Blister in the Sun” is simple, but it’s peppy and fun and gets people up on their feet. DeLorenzo uses brushes on a snare drum to create a fast, textured beat that he accentuates with a few cymbal splashes.
Gano plays simple chords in the chorus and joins Ritchie on bass playing the song’s main riff, which is just supremely catchy. It’s a little bit Surf-Rock, a little bit Folk, a little bit Punk, and just really fun.
Only Ritchie does something unusual in this song…
During the chorus and bridge, he gets his fingers up and all over the bass. While the others play simple music, he fills up the space with a bassline that goes all over the place and adds interest to this song and most of the band’s other songs.
Both DeLorenzo and Ritchie sing back-up in the chorus, as they do in so many Violent Femmes songs. Gano, of course, sings lead with his high-pitched voice that’s sort of whiny but not grating on the nerves. He also breaks things down by singing a verse very softly, then singing it in a whisper, only to come back at full volume to rip things up.
This is a simple song. But it’s also masterfully crafted and definitely deserves its place in music history. Check it out here in an early live concert version.
The Legacy of “Blister In the Sun”
A big part of the legacy of this song is that the meaning behind “Blister In the Sun” by the Violent Femmes has never been fully agreed on. That’s something that has kept this song interesting for decades, while so many of the band’s equally catchy others have fallen into obscurity.
In 1997, actor/writer John Cusack featured the song in his high school reunion film Grosse Pointe Blank. He actually had the band record a new, modern version of the song and a remake of the original recording. However, they didn’t end up getting used in the movie. This movie breathed new life into the song and made it popular with a whole new audience.
The song and the band itself were also referenced in the best-selling 2003 novel The Time Traveller’s Wife. The band was even filmed for the 2009 movie version, but their scenes ended up not making the film’s final cut. It’s also been used in all sorts of media over the years, from movie soundtracks to TV shows and even commercials.
And it more-or-less caused the band to break up…
Since Gano was listed as the sole songwriter for the song, only he and the record label were able to license its use for advertising. In 2007, he let the fast food chain Wendy’s use it for an ad, which angered Ritchie and caused a rift between the two. Funny, isn’t it? Why would a burger joint want to use a song about either drug use or masturbation?
Ritchie filed a lawsuit over the issue, suing for joint rights to the song, and this angered Gano. Eventually, the band broke up in 2009. However, by 2013 they were able to put their differences behind them and get back to working together.
Curios About The Meaning Behind Other Famous Songs?
If so, check out our thoughts on The Meaning Behind “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden, The Meaning Behind “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails, The Meaning Behind “Scar Tissue” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Meaning Behind “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones, and the Meaning Behind “Hotel California” Song By The Eagles for more interesting song analysis.
What Do You Think About the Meaning Behind “Blister In the Sun” by Violent Femmes?
This is one song where it comes down to what you think and what you hear in the lyrics. Even though Gordon Gano has stated that he didn’t write the song about masturbation, this angle is still assumed by many listeners. If it’s about drug use, that doesn’t explain the whole thing. Could it even be a combination of the two themes?
In the end, the band has left it up to you to decide. They’re happy to continue playing this song as they have done for nearly four decades. And we’re lucky – because whatever it’s about, it’s a great song and a whole lot of fun to dance to.
Until next time, enjoy the music.
