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.
Just Another Movie
Timbuk 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To divert attention from the action behind the scenes
like a game of chess when the house is a mess
Or a petty money squabble when your marriage is in trouble
Or a football game when there's rioting in the streets
It's just another movie, another song and dance
Another poor sucker who never had a chance
Just another jerk, taking pride in his work
I was a poor magician; I could never understand
You can't make tears disappear through sleight of hand
From the bottom of my heart -- off the top of my head
Words were pulled like rabbits from a hat but nothing was said
Now my freedom's bought and paid for -- it lights up my living room
I got nothing more to prove; I've got no reason to move
And when I'm tired of the program -- when it's taken it's toll
I can press a button, change the channel by remote control
The lyrics to Timbuk 3's song "Just Another Movie" are a commentary on the nature of politics, media, and personal relationships. The first verse references presidential elections as planned distractions, meant to divert attention from the true actions happening behind the scenes. This is likened to a game of chess when the house is a mess, meaning that it is a strategic distraction from a larger issue. The next two examples given are a petty money squabble when a marriage is in trouble, and a football game played while there is rioting in the streets. The overall message is that these distractions are ineffective and do not address the real problems at hand.
The chorus reinforces this idea, stating that these distractions are merely another movie, another song and dance. The verse about the poor magician adds to this, as it explores the idea that people can be fooled by distractions, but ultimately, the real issues are still there. The final verse discusses the idea of personal freedom, but in the end, it is just another form of distraction. The singer has no reason to move, but he can change the channel on his television when he is tired of the program.
Overall, the song highlights the idea that distractions are a pervasive element of modern life, and that they can prevent people from addressing the real issues at hand.
Line by Line Meaning
Presidential elections are planned distractions
The government plans elections to distract people from what is really happening in the world.
To divert attention from the action behind the scenes
The government uses elections to distract people from important events happening in secret.
like a game of chess when the house is a mess
Elections are like a game of chess played during chaotic times.
Or a petty money squabble when your marriage is in trouble
Elections are like arguing about finances instead of addressing actual marital problems.
Or a football game when there's rioting in the streets
Elections are like watching a football game while people are rioting outside.
It's just another movie, another song and dance
Elections are just like any other form of entertainment.
Another poor sucker who never had a chance
People who believe that elections matter are foolish and naive.
It's just another captain going down with his ship
Politicians going down for their actions while in office is expected and not surprising.
Just another jerk, taking pride in his work
Politicians who claim to be doing great things for the country are just jerks who are vain and self-absorbed.
I was a poor magician; I could never understand
The singer is admitting that he was naive and didn't understand politics.
You can't make tears disappear through sleight of hand
Politicians can't fix the world's problems with magic or illusions.
From the bottom of my heart -- off the top of my head
The singer is saying that he is being honest and speaking from his emotions and thoughts.
Words were pulled like rabbits from a hat but nothing was said
Politicians make a lot of promises but don't follow through on them.
Now my freedom's bought and paid for -- it lights up my living room
The singer is saying that he has bought his own freedom through technology that he can enjoy from home.
I got nothing more to prove; I've got no reason to move
The singer has nothing left to accomplish and nothing left to do.
And when I'm tired of the program -- when it's taken it's toll
The singer is admitting that he is tired of the entertainment and distraction, and it has affected him negatively.
I can press a button, change the channel by remote control
The singer can turn off the distractions and the chaos at any time.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: PAT MACDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Darren B
One of my all time favourite tracks. I love Timbuk 3. I think one of their killer lyrics was "I was a poor magician; I could never understand , you can't make tears disappear through sleight of hand". Still gets me over 30 years on.
mcdonagh4
30 years and still on point , today more than ever.
captainfutility1
same as it ever was
Hiddenjava
Great Song! Great band that had integrity and did not sell out their souls for the all mighty dollar!!!
michael lacy
The Future's So Bright is one of the most commercial sell out songs in history, what are you talking about? However, I don't hold that against them or blame them as they had to make some money and I'm glad they had a big hit with it! GREAT BAND
Daniel Kokal
wrong..... TB3 was offered a lot of $$ for use of that song in a sunglasses commercial and turned it down. and whats wrong with your music being saleable as long as it was written and recorded as your true expression. being popular isn't being a sellout. compromising your music for money IS. and TB3 never did. explains why they are both poor now.
sofagirrl
The best song IMO from this album.
Tom McWilliams
sofagirrl "Life is Hard" and "National Holiday" are as good, IMHO.
Terry Thomas
The Lyrics of this song are still so fresh so in-tune with todays world !
Tom McWilliams
Terry Thomas The lyrics were nearly the best part of their work, though they've got some great harmonica here and there, too.