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Timbuk 3 — The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
Album: Greetings From Timbuk 3
Avg rating:
5.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 387









Released: 1986
Length: 3:21
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I study nuclear science
I love my classes
I got a crazy teacher
He wears dark glasses

Things are goin' great
And they're only gettin' better
I'm doin' all right
Gettin' good grades
The future's so bright
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades

I got a job waitin'
For my graduation
Fifty thou a year
Will buy a lotta beer

Things are goin' great
And they're only gettin' better
I'm doin' all right
Gettin' good grades
The future's so bright
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades

Well I'm heavenly blessed
And worldly wise
I'm a peeping Tom techie
With x-ray eyes

Things are goin' great
And they're only gettin' better
I'm doin' all right
Gettin' good grades
The future's so bright
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades

I study nuclear science
I love my classes
I got a crazy teacher
He wears dark glasses

Things are goin' great
And they're only gettin' better
I'm doin' all right
Gettin' good grades
The future's so bright
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades
Comments (104)add comment
I rate this 6=Pretty Good... not good enough to own it (or even steal it) but more than likeable enough to enjoy it when it comes up on the radio. 
Posted 12 years ago by bluejay08003    [ Reply ]
stupidest. song. ever. (well maybe not—but stupid) 
Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:
I love this, even though its kinda corny.

9.
 
Yea, that is part of the appeal I think.  I only gave it an 8 put it is fun.
Posted 12 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
Bless that PSD.... it brought me here.
Posted 12 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
The definition of "1-hit wonder"

Inventiveness = 7

Longevity = 1
Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Must be a newer version of my messenger bag.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I actually bought this CD as kid. It must have been the harmonica that did it for me ?
Posted 12 years ago by Jackson_Feelgood    [ Reply ]
Defintely one of those times I am so glad that I only have to read it on the playlist!{#Lol} -1
Posted 12 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I love this, even though its kinda corny.

9.
Posted 12 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
Saw Barbara K perform a few months back, she opened for The Gourds. She was backed by one of the best slide players around, Cindy Cashdollar.
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
LOVE this song!  Whether an ode to the joy of life, or a caustic commentary on college frat-boys blindly overly optimistic about their futures from the viewpoint of the homeless . . .  it rocks!
Posted 12 years ago by paraclete    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Ok, someone's got to say it: nice ass! :o)
 
Errrrrr.....yeah!   Wink
Posted 12 years ago by KaiT    [ Reply ]
Er, my memory must be failing me-I thought this song was outlawed by an act of Parliament in 1987?
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
This is so much fun!{#Cowboy}
Posted 12 years ago by Pilgrim301    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:

This song is good for the ears...
 
 

But really bad for the stomach. Sucko-Barfo.
Posted 12 years ago by Lrobby99    [ Reply ]
This is a pretty weird choice for RP.  But I'm most amazed to see all these comments from people who are apparently passionate Timbuk 3 fans... : )
Posted 12 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
Ok, someone's got to say it: nice ass! :o)
Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
This song has aged about as well as Mick Jagger.{#Rolleyes}{#Puke}
Posted 12 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Ha! My earworm this morning. Good timing, Bill!
Posted 12 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
I love this song. I bought the cassette (and don't razz me about getting into the 21st century. I'm there - I just have a lot of backlog.

<snip>

Oh - and here's to variety, dissidents, bitchers, cynics, college people, and pretty much everyone who comes here. Love you all.

 
The irony of this comment is that you can't buy cassettes any more. Pretty soon you won't be able to buy CDs either. And you forgot our resident trolls in your toast...

Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
50 thou' don't  buy as much beer as it used to.
Posted 12 years ago by to_the_eleven    [ Reply ]
"Fifty thou a year will buy a lot of beer..."
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]

Where is this hotel in Vegas....this person is having fun everytime I comment!  Old song but a fun one!


Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
This song was never more relevant than right now.
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Have I said it before? That was a great segue from The Kinks' 20th Century Man.
Posted 15 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
 brucer44 wrote:

WHAT?????????????? These "thoughts" are pretty funny. It reads like you folks are real Timbuk3 experts. Funny. REALLY funny...
 
Oh look, the world's leading authority on Timbuk 3 is here!

B effin D ...

Ok, I'll pretend I care —- your point would be ...?

Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:


Nice to see somebody's thinkin out there.
 
WHAT?????????????? These "thoughts" are pretty funny. It reads like you folks are real Timbuk3 experts. Funny. REALLY funny...


Posted 15 years ago by brucer44    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:


Timbuk 3's philosophy was diametrically opposed to s.f.h. They made this in the 80's when their situation was DIRE. They lived on the streets for a short time, and made money busking on 6th Street. This song is a vicious reaction to what they saw all around them: smartass fratboys drinking themselves silly.

Just sayin',

c.
 

Nice to see somebody's thinkin out there.
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:
A 5.7 for this tune and yet Cake, purveyors of the same type of smartass fratboy humor, consistently get 7s?

Sometimes I wonder what, if anything, RP listeners are thinking.
 

Timbuk 3's philosophy was diametrically opposed to s.f.h. They made this in the 80's when their situation was DIRE. They lived on the streets for a short time, and made money busking on 6th Street. This song is a vicious reaction to what they saw all around them: smartass fratboys drinking themselves silly.

Just sayin',

c.
Posted 15 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:
A 5.7 for this tune and yet Cake, purveyors of the same type of smartass fratboy humor, consistently get 7s?

Sometimes I wonder what, if anything, RP listeners are thinking.
 
hehe. :)

Posted 15 years ago by obzidian    [ Reply ]
This song is so bad, it hurts to listen to it.
Posted 15 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
A 5.7 for this tune and yet Cake, purveyors of the same type of smartass fratboy humor, consistently get 7s?

Sometimes I wonder what, if anything, RP listeners are thinking.
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Great lyrics, sarcasm and all, and not that bad a tune.  Don't see why there's so many low votes.
Posted 15 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
Ah yes .. a Peeping Tom with X-Ray Eyes.  One of several prayers when I was 14 ...


Posted 15 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
ChardRemains wrote:
This song bites. Mute. Later, Bill.
Amen. Bye.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
This album is great. The MacDonalds were able to put through a very peculiar and distinct blend of what might be called eletronic Americana. That is, while Pat played guitar and harmonica, Barbara played bass and/or guitar. A third unofficial member of the group was a boombox with drum loops. This weird combination together with their highly cynical and humorous lyrics created an album which remains timeless and innovative. The sad part of the story is that they never succeeded commercially with their following works. But "Greetings From Timbuk 3" colored effectively that year of 1986. Songs such as "Facts About Cats" which seems to be about nothing in particular, ephemeral and romantic "I Love You In The Strangest Ways" and "I Need You", rappish and modern "Just Another Movie" and "Shame On You", and serious "Life Is Hard" together proved to be precious musical moments. All in all, a classic album!
Posted 16 years ago by aragon    [ Reply ]
ksb wrote:
What does it say about a tune when it is used as a 'scarecrow' for listeners?
That the radio station management was stupid?
Posted 16 years ago by SoundChaser    [ Reply ]
guysmiley wrote:
Yeah! Timbuk 3's Pat McDonald ... the pride of Green Bay, WI!
I thought Joel "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Hodgson was the pride of Green Bay. Oops, correction, that would be the pride of Ashwaubenon, right next door to Green Bay.
Posted 17 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
redtex wrote:
Does that matter? The song's okay but the lyrics are great...if your savvy to sarcasm. I've seen these a few times...yeah, it was years ago...and are still a sentimental favorite.
I agree, this song always brngs a smile to my face. It amuses the hell out of me. It is SO tongue in cheek, you have to admire the cheek of it :-)
Posted 17 years ago by rickf    [ Reply ]
I saw Timbuk 3 LIVE at Jones Beach in the early 90's. They were opeing for Sting's Soul Cages tour. Very weird combo.
Posted 17 years ago by stinkyhippie    [ Reply ]
I had Timbuk 3 when they were just a bass testing group. Awww... I miss that Phoenix Gold Amp. You have no idea.
Posted 17 years ago by heyjoe3577    [ Reply ]
Austin's most embarrassing band.
Posted 17 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Sunman wrote:
Does anybody remember how AWFUL this video was?
Does that matter? The song's okay but the lyrics are great...if your savvy to sarcasm. I've seen these a few times...yeah, it was years ago...and are still a sentimental favorite.
Posted 17 years ago by redtex    [ Reply ]
This song bites. Mute. Later, Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
A local radio station when switching formats played this song on a loop for 3 days. Presumably to 'clear out' their audience. What does it say about a tune when it is used as a 'scarecrow' for listeners?
Posted 17 years ago by ksb    [ Reply ]
Why isn't there a "0" rating?
Posted 17 years ago by mindless    [ Reply ]
heh, the drum intro sounded like the cure's a forest.
Posted 17 years ago by SuperWeh    [ Reply ]
Patti wrote:
I like it, always have...gonna play it for my son this next June when he graduates from high school. Patti M.
Here's a little reminder for ya!
Posted 17 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
Why do I hate this happy-ass song so much??
Posted 17 years ago by mamerjamer    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
Does anybody remember how AWFUL this video was?
Posted 17 years ago by Sunman    [ Reply ]
I used to sing this with my old band. It was the only one we did that didn't actually require any vocal talent since it's mostly spoken. Well, you know...
Posted 17 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Brett Farve is not really from Wisconsin, but you can call him the pride of Green Bay. Just like Joe Montana isnt from SF, but we adopted him. Some people transcend their places of birth. Im a bit hungover, so i could do better in terms of relevance in the future. Just wanted to add my first 2 cents ever to RP. Luv ya!
Posted 17 years ago by mbritsc    [ Reply ]
Bill's in a science fiction mood today. First space and now The Future!
Posted 17 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]
guysmiley wrote:
Yeah! Timbuk 3's Pat McDonald . . . the pride of Green Bay, WI!
mojoman wrote:
Oh, and Bart Starr and Bret Favre don't count?
Actually Bart Starr is the pride of Montgomery,Alabama. One of the 3 QB's from the NFL's all 60's decade team is from the city that is one of America's all 60's decade civil rights cities.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
good tune, however the acoustic version of "sunshine is dangerous" is awesome. she stayed in austin and he went to live in spain.
Posted 17 years ago by xs9095    [ Reply ]
catrip wrote:
All you naysayers just have to chill out. This is a great song, granted, a little overplayed, but just plain brilliant nevertheless. Step off high horse, sit down, grab a marg and just breathe. It won't kill ya.
I love this song. I bought the cassette (and don't razz me about getting into the 21st century. I'm there - I just have a lot of backlog. Anyway, I haven't heard this song for a long, long time - haven't been here for a long, long time, and no one else plays it. So, of course, I have to do the happy-dance, sing to it at the top of my lungs, and extol the virtues of it. Not all of us are so blessed that we can afford to gripe about the music we're getting. There are places (like my current situation) where there is precious little music, so every little bit is appreciated. God, we're so spoiled here at RadioParadise! Oh - and here's to variety, dissidents, bitchers, cynics, college people, and pretty much everyone who comes here. Love you all.
Posted 18 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Terrible then, terrible now.
Posted 18 years ago by curufinwe    [ Reply ]
Huey Lewis?
Posted 18 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
if your'e a fan of pat mcdonald then get your buns to door county wisconsin and see him perform in the smallest of venues. he has also started a music festival here which has grown to be quite an event. www.steelbridgesongfest.org a festival dedicated to the starving songwriters!! (and some not so starving).
Posted 18 years ago by elliotgoettelman    [ Reply ]
Hairstyles and Attitudes on the same album is better.
Posted 18 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Oh, and Bart Starr and Bret Favre don't count?
Don't forget Tony Shalhoub (Monk).
Posted 18 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
I like it, always have...gonna play it for my son this next June when he graduates from high school. Patti M.
Posted 18 years ago by Patti    [ Reply ]
one of the bright spots of the eighties indie scene.
Posted 18 years ago by siloco    [ Reply ]
Great one hit wonder!
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Another overlooked fun and talented band. Reminds me of a modern day Dr Hook?
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
This one gets a "Decent" because it's hilarious :-)
Posted 18 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
guysmiley wrote:
Yeah! Timbuk 3's Pat McDonald ... the pride of Green Bay, WI!
Oh, and Bart Starr and Bret Favre don't count?
Posted 18 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
Cynic to the bone. In the words of Joe Strummers, "the sun's zooming in".
Posted 18 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
Yeah! Timbuk 3's Pat McDonald ... the pride of Green Bay, WI!
Posted 18 years ago by guysmiley    [ Reply ]
I so totally OD'ed on this song that I never wanted to hear it again. Now that it's been about 15 years, it's not so bad.
Posted 18 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
catrip wrote:
All you naysayers just have to chill out. This is a great song, granted, a little overplayed, but just plain brilliant nevertheless. Step off high horse, sit down, grab a marg and just breathe. It won't kill ya.
Well said!
Posted 18 years ago by stickers11    [ Reply ]
iamnotabronte wrote:
eh, don't be so hard on this song...it's perfectly playful for a mid-summer day.
Fun song. Now, please pass me another gin and tonic! The husband and wife team of Pat MacDonald and Barbara K. MacDonald formed the core of Timbuk3. They were joined in 1991 by Wally Ingram and Courtney Audain. Their music was characterized by witty lyrics, sharp satire, and a wonderful play on words. Sharp music, synthesized drum sounds (on early albums), vocal harmonizing, harmonica, and a distict guitar sound made this band extremely enjoyable. Timbuk3's most recognizable song is, of course, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades", one of those wonderful satirical songs. Other well-known tunes include "Facts About Cats" and "Easy". Well, here's how BarbaraK describes it... "When I was twenty I wanted to play like J.J. Cale, so I'd put on his records and try to play along. I got discouraged quite often, but I was determined. After a couple of years I was doing okay. I started my first band. This was in Madison, Wisconsin. The name is embarrassing to me now so I won't tell you what it was. Oh, all right, it was called Barbara K & the Kat's Away. After a year or so with my first band, I quit and joined up with another - Pat MacDonald and the Essentials. That lasted a couple of years. Then Pat and I got the idea to start something new and call it Timbuk3. Timbuk3 was "discovered" while playing to a packed club of twelve people in a bar that had "Roadhouse" somewhere in their name on the corner of 6th and Rio Grande right here in Austin in 1985. We got signed up to play MTV's "The Cutting Edge". A couple of months later, we got signed up to our first record deal on IRS Records. We had a hit song with "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" right out of the box." Excerpted from "Spotlight on Barbara K" Courtesy of Steamboat 1874 in Austin, Texas
Posted 18 years ago by JK27    [ Reply ]
All you naysayers just have to chill out. This is a great song, granted, a little overplayed, but just plain brilliant nevertheless. Step off high horse, sit down, grab a marg and just breathe. It won't kill ya.
Posted 18 years ago by catrip    [ Reply ]
Really..This is a major smile!!!
Posted 18 years ago by Farquwaar    [ Reply ]
Love this upbeat song--rhythms and message--I'm dancing all over the room! I see that RPer's either love--or hate--this song. ;)
Posted 18 years ago by artmarcia    [ Reply ]
I think this band was from Austin . . . not a fact that this Texan is proud of.
Posted 18 years ago by mamerjamer    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
eh, don't be so hard on this song...it's perfectly playful for a mid-summer day.
Posted 18 years ago by iamnotabronte    [ Reply ]
Excuse me while I dance. YEAH!
Posted 18 years ago by Blackjack    [ Reply ]
This song is just fun. Deal with it!
Posted 18 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
gypsy222 wrote:
Hideous.
absolutely horrendous. there's simply no reason for this.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Unmistakeable, Original, and a 6!
Posted 19 years ago by trancefussion    [ Reply ]
This song's so overplayed I gotta wear earplugs. If anybody out there has a copy of this cd please please rip some of the other tracks and upload. I'd do it but my copy is vinyl. Special request would be for "I Love You In the Strangest Ways". Won't hear that on the radio!
Posted 19 years ago by Lazy8    [ Reply ]
Rawkin' good tune! I actually found a card with this on it for a graduation...nice sentiment.
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Always liked the song. Still like it. Even if it was played on commercial radio.
Posted 20 years ago by Freebish    [ Reply ]
This is an example of the type of music I try to avoid by listening to RP. Sadly, I guess there is no safe haven...
Posted 20 years ago by ChanceM3    [ Reply ]
8) \:D/
Posted 20 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
You've gotta love a dance song that references Dr Strangelove and nuclear annhilation. Timbuk 3's lyrics were frequently poignant, poetic and savagely satirical. Brilliant stuff.
Posted 20 years ago by rockasaurus    [ Reply ]
Corey hart's "I wear my Sunglasses at night" would be a fitting song to follow, except that I would quit listening to RP after that.
Posted 20 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
FOW's "Bright Future in Sales" into this... nice pairing!
Posted 20 years ago by Bodhisattva    [ Reply ]
That episode of \"Head of the Class\" pretty much ruined this song for me forever.
Posted 21 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
During rec league softball games, when I\'m standing in the outfield watching us get killed again, this is the song I sing. I don\'t know why, or how it came to mind, or why I know all the lyrics. I just know that I do. It\'s very strange. I think I wrote that just so I have an excuse to use the new emoticon.
Posted 21 years ago by Blackjack    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by wa2bux: Aww, c'mon. It's good clean fun. Not everything needs to be Art. Sometimes a little iced tea for the brain is called for: refreshing even if not particularly nourishing.
Good clean fun about the dangers of atom splitting for fun and profit, maybe. (click here) Of course, my association with this song is from some episode of "Head of the Class" where the irony was equally missed. Dennis and Arvid were the scary physics nerds, right?
Posted 21 years ago by mrtyler    [ Reply ]
Aww, c\'mon. It\'s good clean fun. Not everything needs to be Art. Sometimes a little iced tea for the brain is called for: refreshing even if not particularly nourishing. -lr
Posted 21 years ago by wa2bux    [ Reply ]
Actually, this band was pretty good in concert. Went to see them and the Ben Vaughn Combo and had a great time. So what? Nothing.
Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
This is just HORRIBLE...why am I having to suffer through this on Radioparadise?? :(
Posted 21 years ago by el_kadiri    [ Reply ]
An 80s staple... can\'t even count how many movies and television shows this one has been used in...
Posted 21 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
Hideous.
Posted 21 years ago by gypsy222    [ Reply ]