Top 10 Funniest Monty Python Songs

#10: "I'm So Worried"

“Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album” (1980)

Written and performed by Terry Jones, "I'm So Worried" is one man’s ode to all the things that cause him concern. Of course, this being a Python affair, those things range from simple banal and everyday worries – like baggage handling, to grander, geopolitical woes, such as tensions in the Middle East. All this before things get reflective, and Jones dulcet tones turn to concerns over whether anyone will like the song itself. Interestingly enough, he might have had genuine cause there–as the initial vinyl release of “Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album” on which this track debuted, had a mixing error–meaning Jones’ vocals were out-of-sync with the backing. It’s also interesting to what extent this song encapsulates how little things have changed since 1981...

#9: "The Spam Song"

"Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969-74)

It's widely accepted that the term Spam was given to email’s junk folder content was because of Monty Python, and this song. From their early days, “The Spam Song” was in accompaniment of a “Flying Circus” sketch, reflecting Brit’s growing boredom of the wartime American import Spam, a budget, tinned meat… stuff… which was seemingly still everywhere, twenty years post-war. In fact, it’s arguable that the Python’s ensured Spam is still sold today– sixty years after that sketch; as the song became a popular fixture on subsequent albums, and live performances. Whilst we’ve no idea what goes into the tins, we know only three words went into the “Spam Song’s” lyrics – with writers Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Fred Tomlinson – presumably providing one each.

#8: "The Liberty Bell (March)"

"Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969-74)

Americans will hear it, and imagine the early days of “independence.” Brits will hear it, and imagine a giant foot descending from the sky, squishing all underneath. John Philip Sousa’s brassy “Liberty Bell (March)”, although apparently recycled from his unfinished "The Devil's Deputy" operetta, symbolises the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Monty Python, however, in recycling it as the theme tune for "Flying Circus" made it equally symbolic here of irreverent comedy. The idea was to convey a feeling that the troupe were getting "straight down to business, but not before adding a fart sound to round it off. So yep, its usage during U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, means Brits subconsciously expect to hear a Trump… just, not the same kind… arguably…

#7: "Every Sperm is Sacred"

"Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" (1983)

The BAFTA Music Award for Best Original Song nominee... (yes, really) comes from Jones and Palin, for “Meaning of Life’s” "The Third World" sketch. Although he’d go on to sing it at "Live (Mostly),” it’s also another showcase of how Monty Python musicality extended beyond Eric Idle and regarded by Seth MacFarlane as his favourite song from the troupe. Jones and Palin’s Yorkshire couple are, in the sketch, attempting to avoid destitution by selling their unaffordable offspring off for science, with the song explaining, not how, but why they have 63 children in the first place… since – as the title suggests – "every sperm is sacred..." Ultimately it’s a satire on Catholic teachings prohibiting contraception, and… certain other activities – you know what we mean…

#6: “Brian's Song”

"Monty Python's Life of Brian" (1979)

Equally as quintessentially British as Monty Python, is the James Bond franchise… and particularly John Barry's bold and brassy movie themes. Clearly inspired, opening "Monty Python's The Life of Brian" is this Barry-esque parody, with vocals even provided by one Shirley Bassey …sound-alike Sonia Jones. With classic Python-pokes at the mundane, Non-Bassey sings through the stages of “this man called Brian’s” life, through birth, puberty and acknowledgement of adulthood… Michael Palin’s lyrics are indeed, absurd, although if you’ve listened to those of “Goldfinger” you’d probably question if “Brian’s Song” is that much of a send up.

#5: "The Lumberjack Song"

"Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969-74)

Another tune from the “Spam” trio of Jones, Palin and Tomlinson, comes the international hit: "The Lumberjack Song." It originally debuted as part of “Flying Circus” – sung by Palin as bloodlusty barber Bevis, and accompanied by Fred Tomlinson’s Singers, dressed as Mounties for some reason. It depicts him choosing a new career of felling trees… instead of, well, people. Not a bad song, considering it was a rushed effort – completely created in 20 minutes, as a get out to "the Barbershop Sketch." The song would go on to feature in “And Now For Something Completely Different”, but found fame after being released as a single, in 1975... produced by none other than the “Quiet Beatle,” and “Life of Brian” co-producer, George Harrison.

#4: "Brave Sir Robin"/ "The Tale of Sir Robin " / "Sir Robin Ran Away"

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975)

Technically, it's a tripler, since the ode to Brave Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot is heard throughout the film, with evolving lyrics. It was intended to encourage Eric Idle’s chosen knight into battle... but did the opposite, making him retreat, and then commentating on Sir Robin as he, well, “ran away!” The songs weren’t actually written nor performed by the official six-man troupe, but Neil Innes–largely considered as the "seventh Python" thanks to his very frequent collaborations. His roles as head performing minstrel (et al) and songwriter are, somewhat, leftovers from his original input. Innes had originally scored the film… but his efforts were deemed, ironically, too good for the style of Python’s take on Arthurian legend.

#3: "P*nis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song)"

"Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" (1983)

A little number which was, ahem, tossed off in the Caribbean by Eric Idle… or rather, the "Noel Coward-style lounge singer" he plays in "The Meaning of Life." The song is, simply, a one-man ode to one’s manhood. Despite being less than a minute long, the singer manages to incorporate thirteen different names for male genitalia into the lyrics; and somehow without seeming contrived, before ending with a very polite thank you. Naturally, although it’s bizarrely not really explicit, it isn’t something that should be gotten out in public – the record, we’re referring to, obviously… though nor should its subject matter either.

#2: “Galaxy Song”

"Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" (1983)

For our penultimate entry, comes John Du Prez and Eric Idle’s “Galaxy Song,” a rather scientific journey through time and space and “The Meaning of Life.” As part of "Live Organ Transplants;" paramedic John Cleese is trying to get Terry Jones’ Mrs Brown to donate her liver... which she seemingly keeps in the fridge, alongside Eric Idle, and a portal to the cosmos, apparently... The lyrics are, simply, a series of various facts and figures about the Milky Way, and Earth's place in it – and are surprisingly mostly accurate... Or, at least, they were, for the time it was written, leading to Idle revising them with new info. And then, finding he was proven right all along; led to de-revisions… much to his chagrin...

#1: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"

"Monty Python's Life of Brian" (1979)

It might seem an obvious pick, but the grand finale to "The Life of Brian" has such enduring popularity. Surprisingly, despite its status as cultural touchstone, the Pythons weren't initially sold on Idle’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” for the film. According to Palin, "Mr Cheeky" and the other hundred crucified’s reassurances to Brian by exerting their “stiff upper lip,” thankfully grew on the other five. From then, the song has evolved into an anthem protesting the myriad times which feel "jolly rotten," It’s become particularly popular at funerals, with sing-alongs providing a posthumous way to go out on a high, with a final journey that flies in the face of obligatory misery… as exemplified by late-Python Graham Chapman’s 1989 memorial.

From the myriad musical outputs of Monty Python, were there any unincluded particular songs which you consider as favourites? Don your best Noel Coward, and toss them into the comments!