They were joined in 1991, by Wally Ingram and Courtney Audain. Timbuk 3 recorded several albums from 1986 to 1995; their first album, Greetings From Timbuk 3, generated their only chart hit song, "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades". The song was featured in the 1987 film, My Best Friend is a Vampire.
Also from Greetings From Timbuk 3, "Shame On You" was played during the opening scene of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, released in 1986.
The group broke up in 1995, with the ex-members going on to record other music independently.
B-Side Of Life
Timbuk 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of course you don't, I'm nobody
I have no money, I have no name
I tear the tickets at the Hall of Fame
I buy my dinner at the 7-Eleven
Eat it in the kitchen while I watch TV
I like my free time and I love my wife
Once I got lucky, I had a band
We had a song, it got to number 3
Made lots of money, made lots of friends
Had lots of pretty people hangin' 'round me
Now all I want is a place to hide
To feel safe from the chaos outside
A cold refrigerator, a warm bed
A place where no one will stick a gun to my head
I buy my dinner at the 7-Eleven
Eat it in the kitchen while I watch TV
I like my free time and I love my wife
We're happy living on the B-side of life
We had the key to the city
But the rooms it did unlock
Were full of overpriced portraits
Engaged in cheap small talk
So turn out the lights, turn up the radio
Don't know the singer but I love that song
I know that I'm no Baryshnikov baby
But I wanna dance with you all night long
I'll buy you dinner at the 7-Eleven
We'll eat it in the kitchen while we watch TV
Tonight's my birthday, let's have a party
I'm thirty with a bullet from the B-side of life
The Timbuk 3 song "B-Side Of Life" is a bittersweet reflection on the ups and downs of fame and success. The singer of the song is a former "somebody" who used to have a hit song and a band, but is now living a simpler life. He considers himself a nobody now, working a low-paying job tearing tickets at the Hall of Fame, and buying his meals at the 7-Eleven. Despite this, the singer finds comfort in his free time and his love for his wife. He describes his current state as the "B-side of life", the less glamorous and less celebrated side of things.
The second verse of the song reveals that the singer got a taste of fame and fortune in the past, but it was not as fulfilling as he had hoped. The rooms that the key to the city unlocked were full of shallow people engaged in small talk. Now, all he wants is a safe and comfortable place to hide from the outside chaos, with a cold refrigerator and a warm bed where no one can hurt him. The final verse reveals that the singer is celebrating his thirtieth birthday, feeling like he still has something to offer despite being past his prime. He wants to dance all night with his loved one and forget about the worries of the outside world.
Overall, "B-Side Of Life" paints a picture of the struggles and realities of life, both during and after fame. It seeks to find meaning and joy in the small, everyday moments and in the love of those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Who am I? Do you recognize me?
The singer questions their identity and whether or not anyone knows them.
Of course you don't, I'm nobody
The singer acknowledges that they are not famous or significant.
I have no money, I have no name
The singer claims to be without wealth or notoriety.
I tear the tickets at the Hall of Fame
The artist does menial jobs for a living.
I buy my dinner at the 7-Eleven
The artist purchases food from a convenience store.
Eat it in the kitchen while I watch TV
The singer eats their meal and relaxes by watching television.
I like my free time and I love my wife
The singer values their leisure time and their partner.
You'll find my number on the B-side of life
The artist is not famous or important, and can metaphorically be found on the less popular side of a record.
Once I got lucky, I had a band
The artist was briefly successful with a musical group.
We had a song, it got to number 3
The band achieved moderate chart success.
Made lots of money, made lots of friends
The band's success brought financial gain and social connections.
Had lots of pretty people hangin' 'round me
The band members attracted admirers and hangers-on.
Now all I want is a place to hide
The singer desires solitude and security.
To feel safe from the chaos outside
The singer seeks refuge from a dangerous or unpredictable world.
A cold refrigerator, a warm bed
The singer lists simple comforts they desire.
A place where no one will stick a gun to my head
The artist wants to avoid violence and danger.
We're happy living on the B-side of life
The artist and their partner are content with their unremarkable lives.
We had the key to the city
The band was honored by the city government.
But the rooms it did unlock
The band found the events they attended to be pretentious and unfulfilling.
Were full of overpriced portraits
The decorations in the VIP sections were expensive but lacking in value.
Engaged in cheap small talk
The conversations at these events were shallow and trivial.
Don't know the singer but I love that song
The artist appreciates good music regardless of who performed it.
I know that I'm no Baryshnikov baby
The singer acknowledges their lack of dancing skills.
But I wanna dance with you all night long
The artist wants to enjoy their partner's company and dance together.
Tonight's my birthday, let's have a party
The singer wants to celebrate their birthday with their partner.
I'm thirty with a bullet from the B-side of life
The singer is turning thirty and is still a relatively unknown and unimportant person.
Contributed by Jeremiah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.