Monty Python Sings

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Monty Python

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And now, for something completely different. There are 25 songs taken from Monty Python's TV series, movies, and other comedy albums, some that are so memorable, it isn't surprising to hear someone singing them at a whim, other obscure ones that are downright hilarious and/or gross, and those featured in their TV show and movies. But others are like, "Gordon Bennett, this is so naff! What'd they include it in 'ere for?" Consequently, I'll not go through every song, but be warned if I do get silly--Python tends to do that to people.

"Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life", sung by Eric Idle and the crucified prisoners at the end of Life Of Brian, starts out the album. Basically: "life's a piece of ****, when you look at it/life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true/you'll see it's a show/keep'em laughing as you go/just remember that the last laugh is on you." A breezy, humorous, but pointed look at "the final word."

"The Lumberjack Song" is by far THE classic Python song. In this rendition, Michael Palin leads off by a weather report, before he sings, "I didn't want to do this for a living. I wanted to be... a lumberjack!" and the rest is history. Note: if anyone hears me singing "I cut down trees/I wear high heels/suspenders and a bra", PLEASE don't take me seriously. I'm an environmentalist and would NOT cut down trees. Yours etc. D.J. Hamlow, Mrs.

The brief "(Not the Noel Coward Song)" from Meaning Of Life is a 41 second laugh-out-loud ditty on "your wife's best friend", the one sung before Mr. Creosote comes into the restaurant.

"Oliver Cromwell" sung by John Cleese, is set to Frederic Chopin's Polonaise No. 6 and is a delight for English history buffs. The twisted tone they give is apparent in the spoken intro: "The most interesting thing about King Charles I is that he was 5'6" tall at the start of his reign, but only 4'8" tall at the end of it... because of..." and the song begins, listing the key events of the English Civil Wars.

"Medical Love Song" is so disgusting, I won't mention it, but it is funny, and the chorus is a list of medical conditions.

"Every Sperm Is Sacred" is a latter day classic that needs to be sung a lot more. This hilarious parody on the Catholic mindset of conception was a highlight from The Meaning Of Life. I wonder if the kids in the movie knew what they were singing, especially the little girl who sings "Let the heathens spill theirs/on the dusty ground/God will make them pay for/each sperm that can't be found."

The brief "Never Be Rude To An Arab" is a guilty pleasure ditty for these PC times. After a nice first verse extolling the virtues of respecting a "Saudi, Israeli, or Jew", the next verse includes some derogatory racial words before an explosion sounds, cutting off Terry Jones.

Those who have or are taking a philosophy course right now will enjoy the "Bruces' Philosopher's Song" by those lovable Australian Bruces. You know, "Immanuel Kant was a real p----ant, who was very rarely stable..." and how different philosophers drank. And remember what Rene Descartes said. "I drink therefore I am."

"All Things Dull & Ugly" is a bitterly cynical but funny take on the British choir song "All Things Bright And Beautiful." Yes, it is true, isn't it, "All things scabbed and ulcerous/All pox both great and small/putrid, foul and gangrenous/The Lord God made them all."

The other Meaning Of Life songs are included, and those are among my favourites, such as the title track sung outrageously by Eric Idle: "What's the point of all this hoax?/Is this the chicken and the egg time, are we just yolks?", the Vegas-style "Christmas In Heaven" number and the contemplative "Galaxy Song." Yes, "pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space/because there's bu--er all down here on Earth."

The "Spam Song" ends the album to please the hardcore fans. If you want something affordable that's just songs and without sketches, such as the Final Ripoff double CD, then sing with Monty Python Sings. However, be warned that there are a number of naff songs that may warrant hitting the fast-forward button. Yours etc. Brigadier DJ Ham-And-Cheese, with shallots, aubergines, and a double scoop of lemon curry.