Their debut album, The Dust of Retreat came out in 2006. At this time, the band was signed to Artemis Records and had 8 members. In 2008 the band signed to Epic Records and (on 7 October) released two new albums, Animal! and Not Animal. The band originally planned to just release "Animal!". However, Epic disagreed on their song choice, and compiled a different list, which would later become "Not Animal". Eventually, after dispute over which version would be released, it was decided to release both at the same time.
In August 2009, 5 of the band's members left. They are all involved in other projects, most notably Pravada.
While the band, and Richard specifically have given many explanations to the band's name; this is all in fun. As the name was created as an anti-name; not meant to have any real meaning, just to make fun of other ridiculous names. The name "Margot" comes from Gweneth Paltrow's character in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums".
The band's sound, categorized as "chamber pop", has been compared to the indie rock groups Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, and The Shins, while incorporating elements of singer/songwriters like Paul Simon and Conor Oberst.
Current Members are:
Richard Edwards - lead vocals, guitar, bells, melodica, banjo
Ronnie Kwasman - lead guitar
Tyler Watkins - bass guitar
Brian Deck - drums
Eric Kang - guitar
Cameron McGill
Former Members include:
Emily Watkins - keys, backup vocals
Andy Fry - guitar, bass, lap steel, percussion
Jesse Lee - cello
Casey Tennis - percussion
Chris Fry - drums, percussion
Hip Hip Hooray
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
talk to me
and I'll be your saint
take off your clothes
and don't be ashamed
if I'm watchin'
Don't stop talkin'
You sat and stare
at your grandmother's chair
in the that favorite room
and he drunkenly
fat for three
pissin' on you
Oh darlin'
Stop talkin'
and start walkin'
Oh darlin'
stop cryin'
and start smilin'
The song "Hip Hip Hooray" by Margot & the Nuclear So and So's is a hauntingly beautiful tune about the existential dread and the fear of death. The opening lines of the song, "hip hip hooray, talk to me, and I'll be your saint" suggest a desperation for someone to share their thoughts with as the singer offers to take on the role of a saint for the person. The next lines, "take off your clothes and don't be ashamed, if I'm watching" could be interpreted in two ways; it could be a sexual invitation, but it could also be interpreted as the singer encouraging the person to open up and be vulnerable, even if it feels uncomfortable.
The second verse of the song shifts into a darker tone as the singer describes the person sitting and staring at their grandmother's chair in the favorite room, perhaps feeling weighed down with the realization of mortality. The lines "and he drunkenly, fat for three, pissing on you" create a feeling of disgust and helplessness as the person is violated by someone who is supposed to protect them. The chorus, "oh darling, stop talking, and start walking, oh darling, stop crying, and start smiling" seems to be the singer urging the person to move on from their past pain and take control of their life.
Overall, the song explores themes of vulnerability, abuse, and the fear of death, while urging the listener to take control of their own life and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Hip hip hooray
Let's celebrate and be joyful
talk to me
Communicate with me
and I'll be your saint
I will be loyal and devoted to you
take off your clothes
Be vulnerable with me
and don't be ashamed
Don't feel guilty or embarrassed
if I'm watchin'
Even if I'm observing or watching
Don't stop talkin'
Keep communicating openly and honestly
just start walkin'
Take action and move forward with me
You sat and stare
You were lost in thought
at your grandmother's chair
In a place of nostalgia and memories
in that favorite room
In a special and familiar space
and he drunkenly
He was intoxicated
fat for three
He had gained a lot of weight
pissin' on you
He was vulgar and disrespectful towards you
Oh darlin'
My dear
Stop talkin'
Stop overthinking and be present
and start walkin'
Take action and move forward
stop cryin'
Stop feeling sad or upset
and start smilin'
Be happy and positive
Contributed by London H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.