Drummer: Bachmann 'Bitch' song was 'tongue-in-cheek'

NEW YORK, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Drummer Ahmir Thompson says he meant to be funny, not mean, when he played "Lyin' Ass Bitch" during Michele Bachmann's visit to "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."

Known professionally as Questlove, Thompson was criticized for performing a snippet of the Fishbone song when the Minnesota congresswoman and Republican presidential hopeful appeared on Monday's edition of the NBC late-night talk show.

Thompson, a member of the "Late Night" house band The Roots, addressed the controversy in a statement issued to ABC News Tuesday.

"The performance was a tongue-in-cheek and spur-of-the-moment decision. The show was not aware of it and I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention," Thompson said.

ABC News pointed out the musician hinted earlier in the day via Twitter that he had a song picked out for Bachmann's appearance, even though he did not divulge the title.

"late night walkon song devotees: you love it when we snark: this next one takes the cake. ask around cause i aint tweeting title," Thompson wrote.

Bachmann did not immediately comment on the incident, ABC News said.