Released: October 27, 2003

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

Producer: R.E.M. Pat McCarthy

[Verse 1]
A public service announcement followed me home the other day
I paid it never mind, go away
Shit 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

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
We're sick of being jerked around
We all fall down

[Verse 2]
Have you ever seen the televised St. Vitus subcommittee prize investigation dance?
Those-ants-in-pants glances
Well, look behind the eyes
It's a hallowed, hollow, anesthetized "save my own ass, screw these guys"
Smoke-and-mirror lockdown

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
The papers wouldn't lie!
I sigh, not one more

[Chorus 2]
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

[Verse 3]
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

[Pre-Chorus 3]
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
Ignore the lower fears
Oh, this means war

[Chorus]
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

[Ad lib]
(Du-du du du du
Du-du du du du
Du-du du du du
Du-du du du du)

[Pre-Chorus 4]
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord
Count your blessings
We're sick of being jerked around
We all fall down

[Chorus]
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

[Ad lib]
(Du-du du du du
Du-du du du du
Du-du du du du
Du-du du du du)

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.