J. D. Considine in a 23 June 1983 review in Rolling Stone felt that the debut was precocious yet dynamic, with a good balance between Gano's direct lyrics and the full sound of the music. Both Robert Christgau in an undated Consumer Guide Review and Steve Huey in an AllMusic retrospective, compared the album and singer Gordon Gano with Jonathan Richman of The Modern Lovers; a comparison which Gano was sick of by May 1983, as he was trying to sound like Steve Wynn.
Blister In The Sun
Violent Femmes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I strut my stuff
And I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite
I just might stop to check you out
Let me go on
Like I blister in the sun
Let me go on
Big hands, I know you're the one
Body and beats
I stain my sheets
I don't even know why
My girlfriend, she's at the end
She is starting to cry
Let me go on
Like I blister in the sun
Let me go on
Big hands, I know you're the one
When I'm out walking
I strut my stuff
And I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite
I just might stop to check you out
When I'm out walking
I strut my stuff
And I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite
I just might stop to check you out
Body and beats
I stain my sheets
I don't even know why
My girlfriend, she's at the end
She is starting to cry
When I'm out walking
I strut my stuff
And I'm so strung out
I'm high as a kite
I just might stop to check you out
Let me go on
Like I blister in the sun
Let me go on
Big hands, I know you're the one
The lyrics of Violent Femmes’ song “Blister in the Sun” speak of a feeling of being high and strung out while walking and “strutting [one’s] stuff” in a confident, almost cocky manner. The song seems to be about the thrill of being young, wild, and free, with the singer getting a rush from the way he presents himself and the act of checking out attractive people on the street. The repetition of the phrase “let me go on like a blister in the sun” seems to reflect this feeling of euphoria and recklessness, with the singer wanting to keep going on this high for as long as he can.
However, the lyrics also touch on some darker themes, particularly in the second verse where the singer sings about staining his sheets and his girlfriend crying at the end. While it’s not entirely clear what’s going on, it could be interpreted as a reference to drug use or sexual activity that is less-than-fulfilling. The feeling of being “strung out” and “high as a kite” could also suggest drug use or addiction.
Overall, “Blister in the Sun” is a catchy, upbeat song that seems to capture the thrill of being young and reckless, but also hints at some of the darker aspects of this lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm out walking
When I'm out and about
I strut my stuff
I walk with confidence
And I'm so strung out
And I'm feeling intense emotions
I'm high as a kite
I'm very excited and elated
I just might stop to check you out
I might take a second look at you
Let me go on
Let me continue
Like I blister in the sun
Like I'm burning with energy
Big hands, I know you're the one
I know you're the right person for me
Body and beats
Physical sensations and rhythms
I stain my sheets
I'm engaging in sexual activity
I don't even know why
I'm not sure why I'm doing it
My girlfriend, she's at the end
My girlfriend is feeling upset
She is starting to cry
She is becoming emotional
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gordon Gano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind