Top 10 Monty Python Songs
Cleese, Chapman, Jones, Palin, Idle and Gilliam: melodies from those minds and lips helped bring British comedy to the forefront of the world consciousness between the late '60s and the early '80s. In this video http://www.WatchMojo.com counts down our picks for the top 10 Monty Python songs.
For this list, we're choosing the most beloved and iconic songs from the Monty Python comedy troupe, whether they're from film, television, live performances or comedy albums.
Special thanks to our user Le Beaglelution for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest
Script written by Sam Lehman
#10: “The Tale of Sir Robin”
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
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Bravery is the most common quality associated with knights, particularly King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. However, in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” bravery is seemingly not Sir Robin’s strong point; because as he rode away from Camelot, he not-so-bravely runs away from a three-headed knight. While each head debates what it’s craving - murder, kindness and tea, respectively - Robin makes his exit serenaded by minstrels who herald his cowardice and immortalize it in an embarrassingly catchy melody.
#9: “Christmas in Heaven”
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
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Showcased on a larger-than-life stage, this song seems sincere and almost beautiful when it begins – that is, until the dancing bare-chested angels make an appearance. The sweet crooning of the singer is overshadowed by the typical Python need to shock and make a controversial statement. Not that the performance doesn’t deliver though; it’s still fun and is the perfect segue to the end of the film when one truly discovers “the meaning of life.”
#8: “Sit on My Face”
Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album (1980)
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Previously appearing on Monty Python comedy albums and performed and released in the concert film “Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl,” this tune was later featured in an animated film celebrating the life of the late Graham Chapman. The film, entitled “A Liar’s Autobiography,” showcased the popular song as a musical number in Python’s traditional crude and crass but humoristic fashion.
#7: “Bruces’ Philosophers Song”
Matching Tie and Handkerchief (1973)
Imagine attending a university named Woolloomooloo where the classes, particularly philosophy, are taught through music. In this Eric Idle-penned tune, countless philosophical greats are called out for their attachment to the bottle. Regardless of the knowledge and innovation they were responsible for providing our society, no one is spared the razor wit of the Python in “Bruces’ Philosophers Song.”
#6: “Galaxy Song”
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
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Inspiring and entertaining, as well as informative, this specific melody reminds everyone that each of us is a very small part of the world as a whole. Though a man who rolled out of a refrigerator is delivering the scientific information, the entire tenor of the “Galaxy Song” is surprisingly wonderful and lighthearted. The Earth is shown to be the fantastical, and beautiful place it is even throughout the birth of the world scene.
#5: “Every Sperm is Sacred”
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983)
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Sung to a room overflowing with children to emphasize the Catholic ideal perpetuated by the lyrics, this song aims to mock the concept that every drop of sperm should produce a child. According to this sketch from “The Meaning of Life,” this is a possible scenario; however, finding space for all of those blessed children would undoubtedly be more of a challenge than their creation.
#4: “Knights of the Round Table”
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Rowdy and rousing, this song is a perfect example of Monty Python fun and frivolity. The physical humor used in the film, including having the knights dance, twirl and pose, adds some additional silliness to the storyline’s overall feeling. Even the prisoner chained in the cells below the great hall cannot resist clapping his hands along to the music raucously performed by Camelot’s Knights.
#3: “Spam Song”
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-74)
Since they have already conquered the Green Midget Cafe, Vikings must now turn their sights towards another location to spread their love of their favorite canned food. So in this “Flying Circus” sketch, their cries for spam, spam, spam, and more spam, echo in a way that could be interpreted as a war cry – that is, if they weren’t chanting about a processed pre-cooked meat product.
#2: “The Lumberjack Song”
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-74)
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What begins as a man’s macho homage to the art of cutting down trees rapidly and unexpectedly turns into a revelation for all characters involved in “The Lumberjack Song.” His confession that he enjoys dressing in drag, wearing high heels and a bra causes the lumberjack’s wife to leave him and his friends to throw fruit at him. Maybe singing about it wasn’t the best way for him to air his secret – though it sure made for a whole lotta laughs on our part!
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “The Liberty Bell”
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-74)
- “Penis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song)”
“Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life” (1983)
- “Eric the Half-a-Bee”
Monty Python’s Previous Record (1972)
- “Decomposing Composers”
Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album (1980)
#1: “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”
Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)
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While we could’ve picked the film’s title track “Brian Song” for our list, it’s this anthem of positivity that wins the crown, for it’s both uplifting and heartwarming while still featuring the fun and irony one comes to expect from Monty Python. Despite the trials and tribulations that Brian and his fellow men endure, no cross is too heavy to bear when one tunes into this epic hymn of happiness. So, whether you’re hung up or hung-over, this melody is guaranteed to brighten up your day and that’s why it comes out on top.
Do you agree with our list? What are your favorite Monty Python songs? For more fascinating Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
