Crossword clues for congratulations
congratulations
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1630s, an exclamation conveying a sentiment of congratulation, from congratulation (q.v.).
Wiktionary
interj. Expressing praise and approval, expressing approbation. n. (plural of congratulation English)
WordNet
Wikipedia
Congratulations (often known by its Icelandic title of Til hamingju Ísland, which translates to English as "Congratulations Iceland") was the Icelandic entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, performed in English by Silvía Night.
Composed by Þorvaldur Bjarni Þorvaldsson and with lyrics written by the fictional character singing it, the song generated considerable controversy at the Contest. The lyrics are essentially in praise of the wisdom of the Icelandic voters in selecting Silvía to represent them in the first place. She sings, for example, "So congratulations, I have arrived/I'm Silvia Night and I'm shining so bright/Eurovision nation, your dream's coming true/You've been waiting and waiting for me to save you", thus contending that the other entries of that year are things to be saved from. Silvía's song, on the other hand, is described as being "hot, okay, really not too gay". The Icelandic original continued this theme further, with one line running "Congratulations Iceland, that I was born here". Silvía also sings "Let's meet next year in Iceland", a reference to the Contest tradition of hosting rights going to the previous year's winner.
The controversy came, however, with the line "The vote is in, I'll fucking win", a contravention of the Contest's policy on expletives (although a previous French entry had contained an obscenity in French, this was the first occasion on which an English-language one was to be heard). Contest executive supervisor Svante Stockselius formally informed the Icelandic delegation that the lyrics as written were in violation of the rules, however Silvía claimed at her press conferences that she would "fucking say what I fucking want". One set of lyrics published online featured the line "they say I win", prior to the formal objection being lodged.
Over the course of the rehearsals, Silvía continued to perform the lyrics as originally written. Her second dress rehearsal also featured abuse of the floor manager, whom she called a "fucking retard". According to the BBC commentator at the semi-final, this last remark was misheard by some as "fucking Greek", a slight on Athens, where the Contest was being held. Thus, when the song was eventually performed in the semi-final, it was greeted with jeers from much of the audience.
In the event, the lyrics were changed to "The vote is in, I'll freaking win", however the official CD of the Contest entries had already been pressed with the original lyrics.
Commentary both before and after Silvía's performance stressed the fact that she was a television character, rather than a real person. Her entire appearance, therefore, was in fact something of a joke at the expense of the Contest - something Silvía herself picked up on when arguing at a press conference that people intending to enter the Contest as a joke should not do so.
As Iceland had not qualified for the final at the 2005 Contest, the song was performed in the semi-final. Here, it was performed twenty-third (following Bosnia and Herzegovina's Hari Mata Hari with Lejla). At the close of voting, it had received 62 points, placing 13th in a field of 23 - failing to qualify for the final and thus ensuring that Iceland's next Contest appearance would be in the semi-final.
"Congratulations" is a song written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter, as the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1968 on 6 April with Cliff Richard performing. The song was arranged, conducted and produced by Norrie Paramor who was also musical director for the contest, which was held at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Phil Coulter originally wrote the song as "I Think I Love You", but was unsure of the lyrics and got together with Bill Martin (the same team that wrote " Puppet on a String"), who changed it to "Congratulations". The song was immediately popular in the UK and became a number one single. On the day of the contest, it was the favourite to win, so much so that the British press were posing the question: "What will come second to 'Congratulations'?"
During the voting, "Congratulations" was leading for much of the way until the penultimate vote when Germany gave Spain six points, putting them one point ahead of the United Kingdom. It finished second losing to Spain's entry " La, la, la" by just one point, and was a huge hit throughout Europe. In 2008, documentary film-maker Montse Fernandez Vila claimed that the loss was the result of rigging of the Spanish vote by state television on behalf of General Franco's fascist regime.
However José María Íñigo, the person that made such claims in the documentary quickly said that his words were taken out of context and said that the channel that produced the documentary, laSexta, who was the promoter of the Spanish representative that year, Rodolfo Chikilicuatre, had manipulated his words to help promote their candidate. He said: "if there had been such a manipulation, it would have been for a different artist who had been closer to the regime".
In July 1968 the song was included on the six-track Columbia EP Congratulations: Cliff Sings 6 Songs For Europe.
The song is still popular and was chosen to lead the show which celebrated 50 years of Eurovision and which was named after it: Congratulations. Also, Richard performed the song as part of the commemorations for the 50th anniversary of VE Day in 1995, despite its having been written long after World War II's end.
George Harrison's song "It's Johnny's Birthday" from All Things Must Pass is based on this song.
Congratulations may refer to:
Congratulations is the second studio album by the American psychedelic rock band MGMT, released on April 13, 2010 by Columbia Records. The album marks a departure from the synthpop style that first brought the band acclaim on their debut album Oracular Spectacular and features a more psychedelic and progressive, guitar-driven sound.
"Congratulations" is the fourth single released from the album Congratulations by MGMT, released as a music video on August 25, 2010.
Sonic Boom commentary of the track, before the Congratulations sessions at the Blanker Unsinn Studio on 2010: "The Half-arsed Hugs of routine celebrations. Realisations. Random Aging .... A World in tatters? Glitter that matters? The hollow victory. And then Sleep ......."
The single was released on a limited edition 7″ vinyl with a special 20-page illustrated booklet, on Friday, November 26, 2010.
On November 2, Record Store Day announced the limited edition "Congratulations" 7" as one of their Black Friday Exclusives which contains the Erol Alkan remix.
The song was featured in the credits of 2010 Oscar award-winning film documentary Inside Job.
Usage examples of "congratulations".
When I had finished I received with a sad air the congratulations of the audience.
Love, Betty Raye Congratulations It seemed as if the summer was to be a lucky one for everybody.
As we are gliding along, she tells me that, one month before, Steffani had stopped in her neighbourhood for necessary repairs to his travelling-carriage, and that, on the same day he had made her acquaintance at a house where she had gone with her mother for the purpose of offering their congratulations to a newly-married lady.
I received the congratulations of the baili upon the excellent acquaintances I had already made, and M.
Count Fathom, who thanked the justice, and his lordship in particular, for the candour and hospitality with which he had been treated, and resumed his place in the vehicle, amidst the congratulations of all his fellow-travellers, except the two forlorn smugglers, who, instead of re-embarking in the coach, thought proper to remain at the inn, with view to mitigate, if possible, the severity of their misfortune.
Perkins have but now exchanged congratulations on the children being abed, and they still linger on a door-step over a few parting words.
Mrs Proudie, who was blandly continuing her list of congratulations, whispered her sentence close into the ear of Mrs Grantly, so that not a word of what she said might be audible by the young people.
I have received from Venice, and I beg to offer my most sincere congratulations to Madame.
I felt in duty bound to go and see her, to give her my congratulations, and to wish her a pleasant journey.
Plautii and Flavii pommeled his back in congratulations, while his little mother had tears in her eyes.
When he relapsed into unconsciousness and gave no further signs of life Caligula had quietly pulled the ring off and was now strutting about, flashing it in the faces of everyone he met and accepting congratulations and homage.
Ida Jenkins called right before the show went on this morning and informed me that she expects to be a grandmother before the year is up, so congratulations to her daughter, Norma, and husband Macky.
The male co host snorted slightly, then caught himself and changed the subject, but not before adding his congratulations to the new Governor Sparks.
Bobby and Anna Lee both sent her telegrams of congratulations, as did Doc and Dorothy and Mother Smith.