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.
Welcome To The Human Race
Timbuk 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now you can't even get to first base
And you feel like the tide has turned against you
Welcome to the human race
So you feel like the gods are out to get you
You feel like you've fallen from grace
And you'd run again if they'd only let you
Welcome to the human race
So your prophets of finance have fallen
On their collective proverbial face
And you hear muffled voices callin'
Welcome to the human race
You made a killin' dealin' real estate at NASA
Sellin' cemetery plots in outer space
Til some fallin' coffins crashed upon your doorstep
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the human race
Open up your heart...
So you sold your ocean home ain't that a pity
And your mermaids disappeared without a trace
Now you comb the streets of sandcastle city
Welcome to the human race
Now sometimes the truth is hard to handle
But lately it's much easier to face
We'll just write it off as just another scandal
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the human race
Open up your heart...
The opening lines of Timbuk 3's "Welcome to the Human Race" speak to the frustration and disillusionment that comes with experiencing failure. The metaphorical language used in the lyrics - "running in circles" and "fallen from grace" - highlight a sense of aimlessness and spiritual descent. The repetition of "Welcome to the human race" throughout the song echoes the idea that these experiences of disappointment and loss are a universal part of the human condition.
The second verse turns to a critique of capitalism and its moral bankruptcy. The "prophets of finance" have failed, and the singer notes their "muffled voices" in the aftermath. This observation can be read as a commentary on the way people in power often retreat from the public eye after exposure or disgrace. The verse's conclusion, "Welcome to the human race," underscores the notion that we are all implicated in systems of power and exploitation.
Line by Line Meaning
So it seems you been runnin' in circles
You've been going around in circles, but not getting anywhere.
Now you can't even get to first base
You're not even able to make a small amount of progress.
And you feel like the tide has turned against you
You feel like everything that could go wrong is going wrong.
Welcome to the human race
Congratulations, you're now experiencing the struggles that come with being human.
So you feel like the gods are out to get you
You feel like fate is working against you.
You feel like you've fallen from grace
You feel like you've lost your way and are no longer able to succeed.
And you'd run again if they'd only let you
You'd try again if given the opportunity.
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the world where things don't always go as planned.
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the club, we've all been there.
So your prophets of finance have fallen
The financial leaders that you once trusted are no longer succeeding.
On their collective proverbial face
They've failed in a big way.
And you hear muffled voices callin'
You hear a subtle reminder that this is just a normal part of life.
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the world where even the best laid plans can fall apart.
You made a killin' dealin' real estate at NASA
You made a lot of money selling fake real estate on the moon.
Sellin' cemetery plots in outer space
You made more money selling fake cemetery plots on other planets.
Til some fallin' coffins crashed upon your doorstep
Until the lies you were selling caught up to you and people were hurt.
Welcome to the human race
This is the reality of being human- sometimes our choices have consequences.
Welcome to the human race
This is a reminder that we are all here to learn and grow, and make mistakes.
Open up your heart...
Keep your heart open to learn and grow from every experience.
So you sold your ocean home ain't that a pity
You regret selling something that once brought you joy and comfort.
And your mermaids disappeared without a trace
The things you loved have disappeared and you don't know why.
Now you comb the streets of sandcastle city
You're searching for something that feels like home, but not finding it.
Welcome to the human race
This is a reminder that we all experience loss and disappointment.
Now sometimes the truth is hard to handle
Sometimes the reality of a situation is difficult to accept.
But lately it's much easier to face
But it's becoming easier to deal with over time.
We'll just write it off as just another scandal
We'll chalk it up to being another unfortunate event and move on.
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the world where sometimes things don't make sense, but we keep going anyway.
Welcome to the human race
Welcome to the journey of life where we all try to figure it out together.
Welcome to the human race
And no matter what, we're all in this together.
Open up your heart...
Always be open and compassionate towards others, no matter what life throws your way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PAT MACDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Blog Vermelho
Such an underated band. I feel bad that most people never heard their many great songs this included.
James Priest
Hey just play the fuck out of it when ur not alone..
hortense234
@Rhezoloution True. I think they were absolutely brilliant. Their songs hold up very well.
mountain177
god i love this song
Jesse Pushor
w
hortense234
One of the deepest, most intractable songs that has launched itself into my soul without regard for my preferences at all. Welcome to the human race....
kenny pemberton
I just picked this record up at Goodwill for 32 cents. Great record
ScottK63
One of the best albums of the 80s imho.
timbearcub
That is how I got my copy, remaindered CD in the long box with a clipped hole when I visited the US in 1993 - Radiohead's Creep was in the charts in the US and UK, that's how I date it. In a record store in Florida....a few bucks, and one of my favourite albums!
I was looking for albums by them cos I got the first one Greetings I found a tape missing it's cover in Woolworth's bargain bin for 50p, I played that to death during my A levels 1990-91 painting my art works to that and Depeche Mode's Violator backed with Enigma.
Set off a life-long love of Timbuk 3. I think I got my Edge of Allegiance tape in a charity shop/bargain bin too!
From the Shadows Emerges...
What a steal