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.
Inside Out
Timbuk 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside out, I bare my soul in jest
I'm not sick, I'm just all wet
The paint is thick, it's not dry yet
Inside out, my home is on the street
Inside out, I'm not so hard to meet
Some say "Hi" or smile as they pass
Some give spare change
Somewhere, no doubt
Some turn their pockets inside out
Inside out, there is no black and white
Inside out, the queen becomes the knight
We're all cut from one design
Not the same, but equally fine
And equally crude, there's no doubt
When viewed from the inside out
Inside out, the hero is a coward
Inside out, a fortress is a flower
Inside out, upside down
Outside in, round and round
Whoever's gonna win
When change comes about
It must begin from the inside out
Inside out, I wear my Sunday best
Insdie out, I've nothing to protest
The song Inside Out by Timbuk 3 addresses the idea that the way we present ourselves to the world is often not reflective of our true selves. The lyrics "Inside out, I wear my Sunday best, Inside out, I bare my soul in jest" suggest that the persona we present to the world may actually be a mask, a facade we put on to hide our true selves. The lines "I'm not sick, I'm just all wet, The paint is thick, it's not dry yet" could be interpreted as referencing the idea that we are works in progress, constantly evolving and changing, and that the "paint" that makes up our outer appearance may not yet be dry, suggesting an impermanence to our outward image.
As the song progresses, the lyrics continue to explore the idea that our surface identities do not necessarily reflect our true selves. The lines "Inside out, my home is on the street, Inside out, I'm not so hard to meet" address the perception of homelessness and the way society views those who live on the streets. The singer of the song suggests that their outward appearance may not match the reality of who they are as a person. The final verse of the song hints at the idea that true change can only come from within, as it says "When change comes about, It must begin from the inside out."
Overall, the song Inside Out is a commentary on the way we present ourselves to the world and the contradictions between our outer appearances and our inner selves. The lyrics suggest that our surface identities may be fleeting, impermanent, and may not reflect who we truly are on the inside.
Line by Line Meaning
Inside out, I wear my Sunday best
I show my real self to the world without any masks.
Inside out, I bare my soul in jest
I'm not afraid to show my vulnerabilities and make fun of them.
I'm not sick, I'm just all wet
I'm not ill, just confused and in need of clarity.
The paint is thick, it's not dry yet
I'm a work in progress, still figuring things out.
Inside out, my home is on the street
I live a simple life, without extravagance or material possessions.
Inside out, I'm not so hard to meet
I'm approachable and easy to talk to.
Some say "Hi" or smile as they pass
Some people acknowledge me and are friendly.
Some just look, some just laugh
Some people judge me and make fun of me.
Some give spare change
Some people help me out with spare money.
Somewhere, no doubt
There are always those who are worse off than me.
Some turn their pockets inside out
Some people pretend not to have any money to give.
Inside out, there is no black and white
Things are not always what they seem.
Inside out, the queen becomes the knight
Roles can be reversed depending on context.
We're all cut from one design
We're all human and share the same basic needs and desires.
Not the same, but equally fine
We're unique and diverse, but that doesn't make anyone better or worse than others.
And equally crude, there's no doubt
We all have flaws and make mistakes.
When viewed from the inside out
When we see each other as humans, without labels or stereotypes.
Inside out, the hero is a coward
What appears to be strong on the outside can be weak on the inside.
Inside out, a fortress is a flower
What appears to be tough and impenetrable can be fragile and delicate on the inside.
Inside out, upside down
Things can be turned around and seen from a different perspective.
Outside in, round and round
Trying to change things from the outside without addressing the root causes is futile.
Whoever's gonna win
It's not about winning or losing, but about finding solutions that work for everyone.
When change comes about
When we realize that things need to change.
It must begin from the inside out
Real change starts with changing ourselves and how we see the world.
Inside out, I wear my Sunday best
I'm not ashamed of who I am and what I have to offer.
Inside out, I've nothing to protest
I don't feel the need to rebel or fight against anything, because I'm content with myself and my place in the world.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind