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.
Sunshine Is Dangerous
Timbuk 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't see the sun
Through the smoke and lies
Of the many who act like the chosen few
Plenty more than willing
To dive into the dead of night
Into the dead of night
Oh, but I ain't gonna let
This darkness fascination bring me down
Ain't no mystery train
Ain't no ball and chain gonna bind me
Take this cup from my hand
Take this cross off my back
Make me laugh, make me wise
Take these blinders from my eyes
I want sunshine, give me sunshine
Man is a beast of wild imagination
Oh, but I ain't gonna let
This darkness fascination bring me down
Ain't no shroud of shame
Gonna cloud my brain
I'm not guilty
Take this cup from my hand
Take this cross off my back
No more darkness, no more lies
Take these blinders from my eyes
I want sunshine, give me sunshine
In "Sunshine Is Dangerous," Timbuk 3 seems to be pointing out the fallacy of blindly trusting people just because they appear to hold a position of power or authority. The lyrics reference a weatherman predicting sunny skies, but the singer can't see the sun because it's obscured by smoke and lies. The "many who act like the chosen few" seem only too happy to lead people into darkness, and the singer is the one being left in the cold. However, the song has a hopeful message, with the idea that it's possible to resist being brought down by the confusion and misinformation perpetrated by those in charge. The singer refuses to give up on seeking the truth, and the repeated desire for sunshine can also be seen as a metaphor for hope and clarity.
The underlying theme of the song is that power corrupts and that individuals need to constantly question the narrative handed down to them. The use of references to "darkness," "smoke," and "lies" emphasize the sense of danger and deception lurking just beneath the surface. The song's overall mood is one of defiance, with the singer sounding determined to come out on top despite the challenges posed by those who would prefer to keep society in a perpetual state of confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Weatherman said look for sunny skies
The weather forecast predicts good weather.
But I can't see the sun
The singer cannot enjoy the forecasted good weather.
Through the smoke and lies
There are deception and misinformation in the world.
Of the many who act like the chosen few
Some people act superior and entitled.
Plenty more than willing
Many people are eager to engage in negativity and darkness.
To dive into the dead of night
Many people are willing to embrace negativity and darkness.
Man is a beast of wild imagination
People have great creativity and imagination.
Oh, but I ain't gonna let
The artist will not succumb to negativity and darkness.
This darkness fascination bring me down
The artist will not let negativity and darkness weigh them down.
Ain't no mystery train
There is nothing mysterious or unknown to the artist.
Ain't no ball and chain gonna bind me
The singer will not be held back or restricted.
Take this cup from my hand
The artist does not want to deal with negativity and darkness anymore.
Take this cross off my back
The singer wants to be relieved of their burdens.
Make me laugh, make me wise
The singer wants to experience joy and enlightenment.
Take these blinders from my eyes
The singer wants to see the world clearly without any deception or misinformation.
I want sunshine, give me sunshine
The artist wants to experience positivity and happiness.
Ain't no shroud of shame
The artist is not ashamed of anything.
Gonna cloud my brain
The singer will not let negativity and darkness cloud their judgment.
I'm not guilty
The singer is not responsible for any negativity or darkness.
No more darkness, no more lies
The artist wants to be surrounded by truth and positivity.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karel Fortis
Love turned up at her doorstep
Box of candy in his hand
Said let's go walking in the sunlight
She said "Sorry, I just can't"
She said "Sunshine is dangerous
Sugar can be poison
And love, well that's obvious
Beware of too much happiness"
She said "Love, please be patient
Life's not all sweetness and light
With every dawn comes devastation
For all us creatures of the night"
Sunshine is dangerous
Sugar can be poison
And love, well that's obvious
Beware of too much happiness"
It's so easy to say
Just give your heart away
But I already gave
And what's left I'm saving for a rainy day
Now the sky is partly cloudy
Hazy shadows brush the sand
And you can hear them softly singing
As they go walking hand in hand
They go "Sunshine is dangerous
Sugar can be poison
And love, well that's obvious
Beware of too mouch happiness
Rain or shine, love is kind
Life is good, knock on wood
Karel Fortis
Love turned up at her doorstep
Box of candy in his hand
Said let's go walking in the sunlight
She said "Sorry, I just can't"
She said "Sunshine is dangerous
Sugar can be poison
And love, well that's obvious
Beware of too much happiness"
She said "Love, please be patient
Life's not all sweetness and light
With every dawn comes devastation
For all us creatures of the night"
Sunshine is dangerous
Sugar can be poison
And love, well that's obvious
Beware of too much happiness"
It's so easy to say
Just give your heart away
But I already gave
And what's left I'm saving for a rainy day
Now the sky is partly cloudy
Hazy shadows brush the sand
And you can hear them softly singing
As they go walking hand in hand
They go "Sunshine is dangerous
Sugar can be poison
And love, well that's obvious
Beware of too mouch happiness
Rain or shine, love is kind
Life is good, knock on wood
Wendy Copeland
Man, I just loved this band. I saw them once in Austin. So good.
Larry Hubbard
You were lucky on 2 counts. You saw Timbuk 3 and you got to see them in the town that help nurture their sound. The 80s and 90s were a good time to be Austin.
Chrysoula JiffyPop
THIS SONG DOES SIMILAR FOR ME. I can feel the tug on those strings and every strike on this guitar body—there is my harmonica sound!
Brent Jockers
These guys are amazing. Long ago and underated.
Chrysoula JiffyPop
YEAH UNDERRATED Don’t CHA LOVE IT?
喬馬丁
I think this EP is their best work. It brings forward all my favorite elements from Eden Alley, which was my former favorite.
fleetwd1
Eden Alley brought me to be a fan of everything they did. Big Shot in the Dark is right up there too along with this one.
John Lowe
Love this mans work !
Chrysoula JiffyPop
I WISH I COULD JUST SET THIS ON T PEAT. I’d listen all day! Set it and forget it! All day long!