I first heard
"Blister in the Sun" at the start of an episode of "My So-Called
Life" in 1995, as Clare Danes' character danced around her bedroom,
mouthing the words with great delight. It then cropped up again in the great
"Grosse Pointe Blank" movie, no surprise as John Cusack always chose
great music for his films.
"Blister
in the Sun" had originated from Violent Femmes 1983 debut album, and was
written by precocious lead singer Gordon Gano, aged just 19.
It has one
of the most memorable and appealing
openings - an acoustic bass riff, followed by two beats on a snare drum and then repeated.
Very simple, but so effective .Another guitar is added, and it is off at a
frantic pace.
Even though there
have been suggestions about masturbation, it is really just another drugs song,
with little disguise ("I'm so strung out / I'm high as a kite"). He
is tormented by the addiction and its impact, alienating everyone "My girlfriend, she's at the
end".
Gano's voice
is quite nasal, even whiny, but it suits the tale of teenage angst. There is also a wonderful shift in the
middle, as the backing reduces, as he whispers, until it explodes into a
glorious chorus again.
Maybe in this bleakness there is a chink of light, with a
prospective new person - "I just
might stop to check you out". In
truth, it doesn't even matter about the lyrics, as like "Centrefold",
we have already been won over by the catchy singalong tune.
"Blister in the Sun" was never released as a single
(bizarrely the record label didn't think it sounded commercial enough), but was
quickly popular on American college radio and sports events. Subsequently it
has been used on TV shows,
movies and advertisements (who probably
don't appreciate its meaning). A unforgettable beat and performance.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE-dqW4uBEE
Hear Next -
I have not heard any other Violent Femmes songs, but can highly
recommend the "Grosse Pointe Bank" soundtrack CD.
