'Congratulations' is a song about MGMT's sudden fame and fortune (and the simple stock of half-assed guilt and waste that comes with it), so I guess the video is about all that, too. Dudes are carrying a giant, naked dying bird across the desert. It's a beautiful bummer (which, incidently, would be a good song title I think). Debate at will.

Dead in the water It's not a paid vacation The sons and daughters Of city officials attend demonstrations It's hardly sink or swim When all is well if the tickets sell

Out with the whimper It's not a blaze of glory You look down from your temple As people endeavor to make it a story And chisel a marble word but all is lost if it's never heard

But I've got someone to make reports And tell me how my money's spent To book my stays and draw my blinds So I can't tell what's really there And all I need's a great big congratulations

I'll keep your dreams You pay attention for me As strange as it seems, I'd rather dissolve Than have you ignore me The ground may be moving fast But I tied my boots to a broken mast

The difference is clear You throw it in your cauldron Rust and veneer, dusk and dawn Steinways and Baldwins you start with a simple stock of all the waste and salt to taste

But damn my luck and damn these friends That keep on combing back their smiles I save my grace with half-assed guilt And lay down the quilt upon the lawn Spread my arms and soak up "Congratulations"