Songwriter: Mike Mills (R.E.M.) Peter Buck Michael Stipe

[Verse 1]
Turn on the TV and what do I see?
A pageantry of empty gestures all lined up for me - wow!
I'd have thought by now we would be ready to proceed
But a tearful hymn to tug the heart
And a man-sized wreath - ow!

[Chorus 1]
Throw it on the fire
Throw it in the air
Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don’t care, oh
Give me some

[Verse 2]
Wave the palms, steal the alms, fists in the air
A motorcade up Ninth Street shows the people that you care - ow!
Nature abhors a vacuum but what's between your ears?
Your judgement clouded with fearful thoughts
A headlights and a deer - ow!

[Chorus 2]
Throw it on the fire
Throw it in the air
Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don't care
Look what I’ve found
Everybody look around
Everybody looking like they just don't care, oh
Give me some

[Verse 3]
Well I'm not deceived by pomp and odious conceit
But a tearful hymn to tug the heart
And a man-sized wreath-ow!

[Chorus 3]
Throw it on the fire
Throw it in the air
Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don't care
Look what I've found
Everybody look around
Everybody looking like they just don't care
Throw it on the fire
Throw it in the air
Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don't care, oh
Give me some
Give me some
Give me some

R.E.M.

R.E.M. were an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

Berry quit the band in April 1997, as they were getting together to record demos for the album Up. He was not replaced on a permanent basis, but the band used an assortment of drummers in his place.

more tracks from the album

Complete Rarities: Warner Bros. 1988–2011