| "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1991 7" reissue artwork | ||||
| Single by Monty Python | ||||
| from the album Monty Python's Life of Brian soundtrack | ||||
| A-side | "Brian" (double A-side) | |||
| Released | 16 November 1979 21 November 1988 (reissue) 23 September 1991 (2nd reissue) | |||
| Recorded | 1979 Chappell Studios Bond Street – Friar Park Studio, Henley-On-Thames | |||
| Genre | Comedy music | |||
| Length | 3:23 | |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Eric Idle | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Monty Python singles chronology | ||||
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"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is a comedy song written by Monty Python member Eric Idle that was first featured in the Python film Life of Brian and has gone on to become a common singalong at public events such as football matches as well as funerals.[1][2]
Written in the British music hall tradition, the song touches on stoicism and the "stiff upper lip" spirit in the face of adversity, so often associated with British people. It became immensely popular, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1991.[3] Idle performed the song live to a global audience at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony during the one-hour symphony of British Music segment.[4]
- ^ "Angels 'favourite funeral song'". BBC News. 10 March 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ^ "Baby boomers jazz up their funerals with Monty Python and fancy dress". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "always look on the bright side of life – full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
- ^ "London ends Olympics on extravagant notes – Europe". Al Jazeera. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2019.