Monty Python Sings

Monty Python Sings is a compilation album of songs by English comedy troupe Monty Python. Released in 1989 to celebrate their 20th anniversary, it contains popular songs from their previous albums and films. The album was dedicated to the memory of founding member Graham Chapman, who died two months before its release.

Monty Python Sings
Compilation album by
Released11 December 1989 (UK)
Recorded1971–1989
GenreComedy
Length54:16 (1989)
1:08:58 (2014)
LabelVirgin
ProducerEric Idle, Andre Jacquemin
Monty Python chronology
The Final Rip Off
(1987)
Monty Python Sings
(1989)
The Ultimate Monty Python Rip Off
(1994)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]
Robert ChristgauA− [2]

Songs

The album contained two previously unreleased tracks: "Oliver Cromwell" (originally performed by John Cleese on the 1960s radio series I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again) was recorded during sessions for Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album in 1980, while a studio recording of Terry Gilliam's live standard "I've Got Two Legs" was recorded in 1974 for the Drury Lane shows, where it was to be mimed onstage, but discarded once Gilliam decided to perform it live instead. The album also has a longer version of "Medical Love Song," with added instrumentation and previously unheard verses which mix out Eric Idle's guide vocals and push Graham Chapman's lead vocal to the forefront. The remixes of "Sit on My Face" and the extended "Henry Kissinger" from The Final Rip Off were also used, as well as a new mix of "Bruces' Philosophers Song (Bruces' Song)" and a remix of the 1975 George Harrison-produced single version of "The Lumberjack Song", featuring some alternate vocal takes. This was the first compilation to include tracks from the Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life soundtracks, albeit in remixed form. "Every Sperm Is Sacred" is the extended version, previously only available on the B-side of the 7-inch single of "Galaxy Song".

Artwork

The cover design by Terry Gilliam marked his first original album artwork since 1977's Instant Record Collection. The original vinyl release contained a booklet featuring illustrated lyrics to all the songs.

Reissues

Although the album did not chart on its original 1989 release, it was re-promoted following the successful reissue of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" in 1991, when it reached No. 62 in the UK Albums Chart.[3]

On 30 June 2014, the album was re-released as Monty Python Sings (Again) on CD and as a digital download, expanded with six additional recordings: three out-takes from Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album and three new tracks from Eric Idle, recorded for inclusion in the team's reunion shows Monty Python Live (Mostly). A deluxe edition in both formats also included the 1970 Monty Python's Flying Circus album. This version of the album reached No. 35 in the UK Albums Chart.[3]

To celebrate the team's 50th anniversary, a double vinyl album set of Monty Python Sings (Again) was released on 4 October 2019, now including the Stephen Hawking version of "Galaxy Song," first released as a limited edition 7-inch single for Record Store Day on 18 April 2015.[4]

Track listing

Monty Python Sings (1989)

No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"Eric IdleMonty Python's Life of Brian3:33
2."Sit on My Face"Music: Harry Parr Davies
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album0:45
3."Lumberjack Song (Alternate Take)"Music: Terry Jones/Michael Palin/Fred Tomlinson
Lyrics: Jones/Palin
Previously unreleased3:20
4."Penis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song)"IdleMonty Python's The Meaning of Life0:41
5."Oliver Cromwell"Music: Frédéric Chopin (interpolating Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53)
Lyrics: John Cleese
Previously unreleased; recorded 19804:10
6."Money Song"Music: John Gould
Lyrics: Idle/Gould
Monty Python's Previous Record0:52
7."Accountancy Shanty"Idle/John Du PrezMonty Python's The Meaning of Life1:16
8."Finland"PalinMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album2:01
9."Medical Love Song"Music: Idle/Du Prez
Lyrics: Graham Chapman/Idle
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album3:31
10."I'm So Worried"JonesMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album3:20
11."Every Sperm Is Sacred"Music: David Howman/Andre Jacquemin
Lyrics: Palin/Jones
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life4:34
12."Never Be Rude to an Arab"JonesMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album1:00
13."I Like Chinese"IdleMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album3:10
14."Eric the Half-a-Bee"Music: Idle
Lyrics: Idle/Cleese
Monty Python's Previous Record2:06
15."Brian Song"Music: Jacquemin/Howman
Lyrics: Palin
Monty Python's Life of Brian2:35
16."Bruces' Philosophers Song (Bruces' Song)"IdleThe Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief0:52
17."The Meaning of Life"Music: Idle/Du Prez
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life2:15
18."Knights of the Round Table (Camelot Song)"Music: Neil Innes
Lyrics: Chapman/Cleese
Monty Python and the Holy Grail1:06
19."All Things Dull and Ugly"Music: Traditional
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album1:33
20."Decomposing Composers"PalinMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album2:48
21."Henry Kissinger (Extended Version)"IdleThe Final Rip-Off1:28
22."I've Got Two Legs"Terry GilliamPreviously unreleased; recorded 19740:33
23."Christmas in Heaven (Extended Version)"Music: Idle
Lyrics: Jones
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life2:45
24."Galaxy Song"Music: Idle/Du Prez
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life2:41
25."Spam Song"Music: Palin/Jones/Tomlinson
Lyrics: Palin/Jones
Another Monty Python Record0:32

Monty Python Sings (Again) (2014)

New to the 2014 'Revised Edition' are tracks 3, 13, 18, 19, 26 and 30.
No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"Eric IdleMonty Python's Life of Brian3:35
2."The Meaning of Life"Music: Idle/John Du Prez
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life2:17
3."The Silly Walk Song"Idle/Du PrezPreviously unreleased2:01
4."Penis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song)"IdleMonty Python's The Meaning of Life0:42
5."Money Song"Music: John Gould
Lyrics: Idle/Gould
Monty Python's Previous Record0:55
6."Oliver Cromwell"Music: Frédéric Chopin (interpolating Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53)
Lyrics: John Cleese
Monty Python Sings4:10
7."Accountancy Shanty"Idle/Du PrezMonty Python's The Meaning of Life1:17
8."Finland"Michael PalinMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album2:03
9."Medical Love Song"Music: Idle/Du Prez
Lyrics: Graham Chapman/Idle
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album3:34
10."I'm So Worried"Terry JonesMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album3:19
11."Every Sperm Is Sacred"Music: David Howman/Andre Jacquemin
Lyrics: Palin/Jones
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life4:36
12."I Like Chinese"IdleMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album3:12
13."The Naval Medley"Idle/Du PrezPreviously unreleased3:25
14."Sit on My Face"Music: Harry Parr Davies
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album0:46
15."Never Be Rude to an Arab"JonesMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album1:03
16."Eric the Half-a-Bee"Music: Idle
Lyrics: Idle/Cleese
Monty Python's Previous Record2:09
17."Brian Song"Music: Jacquemin/Howman
Lyrics: Palin
Monty Python's Life of Brian2:39
18."Rudyard Kipling"PalinPreviously unreleased; recorded 19803:10
19."Nudge Rap / Blackmail"Idle/Du PrezPreviously unreleased1:47
20."Bruces' Philosophers Song"IdleThe Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief0:54
21."Knights of the Round Table (Camelot Song)"Music: Neil Innes
Lyrics: Chapman/Cleese
Monty Python and the Holy Grail1:06
22."All Things Dull and Ugly"Music: Traditional
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album1:35
23."Decomposing Composers"PalinMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album2:46
24."Henry Kissinger"IdleMonty Python's Contractual Obligation Album1:31
25."I've Got Two Legs"Terry GilliamMonty Python Sings0:34
26."Rainy Day in Berlin"IdlePreviously unreleased; recorded 19801:58
27."Christmas in Heaven"Music: Idle
Lyrics: Jones
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life2:46
28."Galaxy Song"Music: Idle/Du Prez
Lyrics: Idle
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life2:43
29."Spam Song"Music: Palin/Jones/Fred Tomlinson
Lyrics: Palin/Jones
Another Monty Python Record0:33
30."Lousy Song"Chapman/IdlePreviously unreleased; recorded 19802:09
31."Lumberjack Song"Music: Jones/Palin/Tomlinson
Lyrics: Jones/Palin
Single A-side3:23

2019 LP version bonus track

No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
32."Stephen Hawking Sings Monty Python... Galaxy Song"Music: Idle/Du Prez
Lyrics: Idle
Single A-side for Record Store Day 20152:42

Personnel

Performers
Additional performers
  • Sonia Jones ("Brian Song", "The Silly Walk Song", "Nudge Rap/Blackmail")
  • John Du Prez ("The Silly Walk Song")
  • Bob Saker ("The Silly Walk Song")
  • Tim Whitnall ("The Silly Walk Song")
  • Jamie Lisa Jacquemin ("The Silly Walk Song", "Nudge Rap/Blackmail")
Technical
  • John Du Prez – arranger ("The Silly Walk Song", "Finland", "Medical Love Song", "I'm So Worried", "I Like Chinese", "The Naval Medley", "Sit on My Face", "Never Be Rude to an Arab", "Decomposing Composers", "Henry Kissinger", "Rainy Day in Berlin", "Lousy Song"), producer ("The Naval Medley"), mixing ("The Naval Medley")
  • Neil Innes – arranger
  • John Altman – arranger
  • Mike McNaught – arranger
  • Fred Tomlinson – arranger ("Money Song", "Spam", "Lumberjack Song")
  • Eric Idle – producer
  • Andre Jacquemin – producer, engineer, mixing
  • James Saunders – recording assistant
  • Kath James – co-ordinator
  • Kay Gee Bee Music Ltd. – illustration
  • TDC – layout
  • Holly Gilliam – project coordinator (2014 edition)
  • Terry Gilliam – cover artwork, packaging design, layout (2014 edition)
  • Ric Lipson – packaging design, layout (2014 edition)
  • Darren Evans – additional artwork and design (2014 edition)
  • Andy Gotts – Monty Python group photo (2014 edition)
  • Robert Ross – notes (2014 edition)
  • Giselle Berger – notes transcription (2014 edition)
  • Sean Magee – mastering (2014 edition)

References

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