Congratulations
MGMT Lyrics

Dead in the water
The situation is hopeless and there's no movement in any direction.

It's not a paid vacation
This isn't a holiday where one can afford to switch off and not take any action.

The sons and daughters
The children of politicians and authorities.

Of city officials attend demonstrations
The offspring of those in power show their support for demonstrators.

It's hardly a sink or swim
It's not a situation where you either succeed or fail; there's no pressure or competition.

When all is well if the ticket sells
Everything is perfectly fine as long as the event tickets are bought and the event is profitable.

Out with a whimper
The end is closing in on a flat, quiet note rather than with a bang.

It's not a blaze of glory
The ending isn't happening with immense attention or celebration.

You look down from your temple
You look down on the general populace from your position of privilege.

As people endeavor to make it a story
Others try to create something newsworthy or noteworthy that you'll notice.

And chisel a marble word
Trying to make an impression in the world of those who are remembered long after they've passed away.

But all is lost if it's never heard
All your effort becomes meaningless if nobody is aware of or acknowledges it.

But I've got someone to make reports
I have a personal assistant who keeps tabs on my finances and other relevant information.

That tells me how my money's spent
They provide me with information regarding how my money is being used and by whom.

To book my stays and draw my blinds
They handle all the boring managerial tasks of booking trips and making sure that everything is well provided for.

So I can't tell what's really there
I'm too isolated from the realities of life, I am cushioned from the pains and pleasures of the common man.

And all I need's a great big congratulations
All I need is an empty accolade for my accomplishments, built on a foundation of hollow titles.

I'll keep your dreams
I'll listen to others' ambitions and dreams.

You pay attention for me
I'll be too busy, someone else pay attention to their dreams for me.

As strange as it seems
This behaviour is odd, and does not conform to societal norms.

I'd rather dissolve than have you ignore me
I'd rather disappear and become nothing than have other people ignore or disregard me.

The ground may be moving fast
The world is moving and developing quickly.

But I tied my boots to a broken mast
I'm stuck in a rigid mindset that is doomed to fail and cannot be altered.

The difference is clear
The discrepancy is obvious and undeniable.

You throw it in your cauldron
You mix and combine dissimilar substances, expecting them to have a successful outcome.

Rust and veneer
Both the old and new mix together not very effectively.

Dusk and dawn, Steinways and Baldwins
Both high and low-value items are part of the mix of materials.

You start with a simple stock
You begin with a basic material that will be built up into something more impressive.

Of all the waste, and salt to taste
All types of leftover, obsolete materials are used, and the end product may taste bitter.

But damn my luck, and damn these friends
Both my harsh fate and my selfish, false friends are a burden on me.

That keep on combing back their smiles
They keep using insincere gestures to show they care.

I save my grace with half-assed guilt
I retain a fraction of dignity by feeling a bit sorry, but I don't put in enough effort to redress my behaviour.

And lay down the quilt upon the lawn
I settle for less and aspire to nothing more, and fall short of my potentials.

Spread my arms and soak up congratulations
I accept empty congratulations without any true worth or value, and think it is enough.