Wow, I actually had to find out about this from Lockergnome (Thanks Meryl!) – R.E.M. has a cool mock news site up at morningteam.com promoting their new release, "Bad Day".
To me, "Bad Day" is a return to the heady political days of Ignoreland, from Automatic For The People (1992). quote
Bad Day
A Public service announcement followed me home the other day
I paid it nevermind, go away
It's so thick you could stir it with a stick
Free teflon whitewashed presidency
We're sick of being jerked around
(wear it on your sleeve?)
broadcast me a joyful noise into the times
Lord, count your blessings
we're sick of being jerked around
we all fall down
have you ever seen the televised
invited sub-committee prize
investigation dance
those ants-in-pants glances
i look behind the eyes
it's a hallowed, hollow, anesthetized
"save my own ass screw these guys"
smoke-and-mirror lock down
broadcast me a joyful noise into the times
Lord, count your blessings
"the papers wouldn't lie", i sigh, "not one more"
(it's been a)
…bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
it's been a bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
We're dug in deep
the price is steep
the auctioneer is such a creep
the lights went out
the oil ran dry
we blamed it on the other guy
sure all men are created equal
here's the church - here's the steeple
please stay tuned we cut to sequel
ashes, ashes we all fall down
broadcast me a joyful noise into the times
Lord, count your blessings
ignore the lower field
oh, this means war (it's been a)
…bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
it's been a bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
(do do do do do oooo…)
broadcast me a joyful noise into the times
Lord, count your blessings
we're sick of being jerked around
we all fall down (it's been a)
…bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
it's been a bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
it's been a bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
it's been a bad day (please don't take a picture)
it's been a bad day (please)
(do do do do do oooo…)
endquote