Future
Timbuk 3 Lyrics

"The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" was a breakout hit for Timbuk 3 in 1986, charting at #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the optimism and potential for success felt by many young people in the Reagan-era United States. The lyrics detail the accomplishments and aspirations of the singer, who studies nuclear science, has a high-paying job waiting for him after graduation, and possesses impressive technological skills. The chorus reinforces this confidence in the future, with the repeated refrain "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."

While the song's lyrics may seem straightforward, they also contain a hint of irony and satire. The line "I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses" suggests that the singer's education may not be entirely conventional or trustworthy. Additionally, the notion of being able to see through walls with "x-ray eyes" implies a certain level of invincibility or superiority that might not be wholly grounded in reality. This kind of exaggerated self-assurance is typical of the era's "greed is good" mentality, typified by Gordon Gekko in the movie Wall Street.

Despite the sarcasm in the lyrics, however, the upbeat melody and catchy chorus epitomize the hopefulness and aspiration of the time. The song went on to become a cultural touchstone, referenced in movies, TV shows, and commercials for years to come.