BAD DAY^©

Live 02 Oct 2004 version

[R.E.M.]
A Public service announcement followed me home the other day
I paid it nevermind
Go away
The shit's so thick you could stir it with a stick
Free Teflon whitewashed presidency
We're sick of being jerked around
Wear that on your sleeve

Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
We're sick of being jerked around
We all fall down

Have you ever seen the televised St. Vitus subcommittee prize
Investigation dance?
Those-ants-in- pants glances
Well, look between the lines*
It's a hallowed, hollow anesthesized
"Save my own ass, screw these guys"
Smoke and mirror lock down

Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
The papers wouldn't lie!
I sigh
Not one more

[R.E.M. and Bruce]
It's been a bad day
Please
It's been a bad day, day
It's been a bad day
Please don't take a picture
It's been a bad day

[R.E.M.]
We're dug in the 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 unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
Ignore the lower fears
Ugh, this means war

[R.E.M. and Bruce]
It's been a bad day
Please don't take a picture
It's been a bad day
It's been a bad day
Please don't take a picture
It's been a bad day

[Bruce on short harmonica solo]

[R.E.M.]
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
We're sick of being jerked around
We all fall down

[R.E.M. and Bruce]
It's been a bad day
Please don't take a picture
It's been a bad day
It's been a bad day
Please don't take a picture
It's been a bad day

It's been a bad day
Please don't take a picture
It's been a bad day
It's been a bad day
Please don't take a picture
It's been a bad day

[R.E.M. addressing Bruce]
Show 'em how it's done!

[Bruce on guitar solo]

By R.E.M. who wrote it in the '80s about the policies of US president Ronald Reagan, and finally released on their 2003 greatest hits album, In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003, with the theme of the song applied to the policies of president George W. Bush.

Bruce Springsteen joined R.E.M. during the Vote For Change tour 3 times on this song:

• 02 Oct 2004 at Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH
• 03 Oct 2004 at Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI
• 05 Oct 2004 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

The above lyrics refer to the live 02 Oct 2004 performance at Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH. Check also R.E.M.'s original version.

* This line differs from R.E.M.'s original version.

Spoken intro on 02 Oct 2004 at Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH:

(R.E.M.: Wondering what that's for. Please welcome to the stage Mr. Bruce Springsteen) (cheers). We have pearls before swine tonight.