Try This Rockin' Riff! Blister In The Sun Chords & Guitar Lesson

Here’s a crowd-favorite song that’s had a bit of controversy around the lyrics. 

I’ve played it for years and honestly never thought much about it.

For me, it’s a unique, up-tempo, acoustic rock tune. Below I’m going to break down some of the secrets behind the guitar stylings.

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Blister In The Sun” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Blister In The Sun?

"Blister in the Sun" is one of the most iconic tracks by the American rock band Violent Femmes, first appearing on their self-titled debut album in 1983. The song was written by the band's lead vocalist and guitarist, Gordon Gano. Interestingly, Gano initially composed it with a female vocalist in mind. ​

The lyrics of "Blister in the Sun" have been subject to various interpretations over the years. While some listeners have speculated that the song references masturbation, Gano has clarified that the lyrics actually are about drug use. 

Either way, the recording took place in July 1982 at Castle Recording Studios in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Mark Van Hecke was at the helm producing, and the track blends a bit of folk-punk, blues, and skiffle, which gave it a distinctive sound. ​

The band went through some conflicts and ended up breaking up in 2009. However, after settling their differences, the Violent Femmes reunited in 2013 and performed at Coachella. They have also released new music since that as well.

"Blister in the Sun" remains a seminal track in the alternative rock genre, and it’s known for its catchy riff.

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Blister In The Sun?

The tuning for "Blister In The Sun," as recorded by the Violent Femmes, is standard tuning. Standard tuning is spelled: E, A, D, G, B, and E. 

Here are the strings: 

• E (6th string, lowest pitch)
• A (5th string)
• D (4th string)
• G (3rd string)
• B (2nd string)
• E (1st string, highest pitch)

However, it’s important to note that the opening main riff is played on an acoustic bass guitar, just higher up the neck, so it sounds similar to a standard guitar.

Now that you know the “Blister In The Sun” tuning, let’s next talk about the…

Blister In The Sun Chords

To play “Blister In The Sun” on guitar, you’ll only need to know 4 main chords they are G, C, Em, and D. All of these can be played in open position. Let’s take a look at a few ways they can be played on the fretboard.

G is played using all 6 strings like this:

C is played from the 5th string down like so:

Em uses all 6 strings and can be played like this:

Finally, D can be played from the 4th string down like so:

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard for RHYTHM and LEAD guitar and want to discover the easiest and fastest way. Then get your hands on my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:  

Is Blister In The Sun hard to play on guitar?

“Blister In The Sun” is a fun rockin’ tune that I would say requires a late beginner to intermediate skill level to play. There are only four chords and sections, but the main riff is fast, and the strumming comes in strong. So, take your time. 

What key is Blister In The Sun in?

“Blister In The Sun” as recorded The Violent Femmes is in the key of G major. The main riff and melody come right out of the G major scale. The G major scale uses the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#. Also, all of the chords in the song fit the diatonic scale as well.

Let’s take a look at how all the chords relate in the key of G major:

G Major (I):

The G major chord is the tonic (I) in the key of G major. It is built on the 1st note (G) of the scale and is the "home" chord that all other chords want to resolve to. This is the first chord played in the song.

C Major (IV):

The C major chord is the subdominant (IV) in the key of G major. It is built on the 4th note (C) of the scale. This chord often leads to the dominant (D major) or back to the tonic (G major).

E Minor (vi):

Em is the relative minor (vi) in the key of G major. It is built on the 6th note (E) of the scale. The minor chords in a major key (ii, iii, and vi) have a more melancholic, less resolved quality than the major chords.

D Major (V):

The D major chord is the dominant (V) in the key of G major. It is built on the 5th note (D) of the G major scale. It is a major chord, and it creates a sense of tension that wants to resolve to the tonic (G major).  

So that’s the theory. Next, let’s look at…

What is the strumming pattern for Blister In The Sun?

The main underlying feel for “Blister In The Sun” is a fast 8th-note rock feel with a hint of swing. In 4/4 time, swing 8th notes create a long-short feel instead of dividing each beat into two equal parts. However, it’s subtle because of how fast the tempo is. The faster the tempo, the harder it is to delineate the swing. This gives the rhythm a little skiffle to it. 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

The numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) still represent the main beats, but instead of a perfectly even "&", the second note in each pair is delayed, creating a triplet-based swing feel.

When counted out loud, it sounds like: 

"One-ah, Two-ah, Three-ah, Four-ah." 

Here’s an example of a strumming pattern in the style of “Blister In The Sun”: 

Conclusion

In the end, “Blister In The Sun” is a unique up-tempo, acoustic rock tune. Many players wonder how to rock out on acoustic. Well, this is a great example. 

Keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs way faster, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide here right now: 

Jon MacLennan