Michael Stipe said this song was about Former President George W. Bush’s visit to Atlanta to honor “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Stipe, an ardent liberal and opponent of President Bush, felt like the President’s memorial of King was an insincere publicity stunt. President Bush was, to Stipe, a “man-...
[Verse 1: Michael Stipe]
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: Michael Stipe & Mike Mills]
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: Michael Stipe]
Wave the palms, steal the alms, fists in the air
A motorcade of benign strength 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: Michael Stipe & Mike Mills, Michael Stipe]
Throw it on the fire (Throw it on the fire)
Throw it in the air (Throw it in the air)
Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don't care (Kick it out on the…)
Look at what I found (Look at what I found)
Everybody look around (Everybody look around)
Everybody looking like they just don't care, oh (Everybody looking like…)
Give me some
[Verse 3: Michael Stipe]
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: Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Both]
Throw it on the fire (Throw it on the fire)
Throw it in the air (Throw it in the air)
Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don't care (Kick it out on the…)
Look at what I found (Look at what I found)
Everybody look around (Everybody look around)
Everybody looking like they just don't care, oh (Everybody looking like…)
Throw it on the fire (Throw it on the fire)
Throw it in the air (Throw it in the air)
Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don't care, oh (Kick it out, kick it out) (Kick it out on the…)
Give me some
Give me some
Give me some (…some)
Man-Sized Wreath was written by Peter Buck & Mike Mills & Michael Stipe.
Man-Sized Wreath was produced by Jacknife Lee & R.E.M..
R.E.M. released Man-Sized Wreath on Mon Mar 31 2008.