Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Monty Python

About Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

"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 1979 film Monty Python's Life of Brian and has gone on to become a common singalong at public events such as football matches as well as funerals. 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 Charts in 1991. 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. 


Year:
2001
3:41
15 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best
And

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle, that's the thing
And

Always look on the bright side of life
(Come on)
Always look on the right side of life

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin
Give the audience a grin
Enjoy it, it's your last chance anyhow

So always look on the bright side of death
A just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughin' as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you
And

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life
(C'mon Brian, cheer up)
Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the bright side of life

(Worse things happen at sea you know)

Always look on the bright side of life

I mean, what have you got to lose?
You know, you come from nothing
You're going back to nothing
What have you lost? Nothing

Always look on the right side of life

Nothing will come from nothing, ya know what they say
Cheer up ya old bugga c'mon give us a grin (Always look on the right side of life)
There ya are, see
It's the end of the film
Incidentally this record's available in the foyer (Always look on the right side of life)

Some of us got to live as well, you know
(Always look on the right side of life)
Who do you think pays for all this rubbish
(Always look on the right side of life)
They're not gonna make their money back, you know
I told them, I said to him, Bernie, I said they'll never make their money back
(Always look on the right side of life)

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Monty Python

Monty Python (sometimes known as The Pythons) was a British surreal comedy group that created Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series. The Python phenomenon developed from the television series into something larger in scope and impact, spawning touring stage shows, films, numerous albums, several books and a stage musical as well as launching the members to individual stardom. The group's influence on comedy has been compared to The Beatles' influence on music. more »

3 fans

Written by: Eric Idle

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Origins
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was originally written and performed for the 1979 film, "Monty Python's Life of Brian."
Performers
Eric Idle, one of the members of the British comedy group, Monty Python, wrote the song, and all the members perform it.
Humor
The song features in a scene where Eric Idle's character attempts to cheer up others while they are all being crucified, making it a darkly comedic piece.
Popularity
It quickly gained popularity as a well-known British comedy song and is often played at funerals, ironically given the setting of its original performance.
Cover Versions
Numerous cover versions of the song have been performed over the years by various artists including Bruce Cockburn, Art Garfunkel and Green Day.
Sporting Events
The song was sung by the crowd at the end of the 1991 Five Nations rugby tournament, thus gaining further popularity.
Olympic Closer
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was highlighted globally as the closing piece for the 2012 London Olympic Games closing ceremony.
Funeral Song
A 2005 UK poll named it as the third most popular song played at funerals.
Record Chart
Despite not being initially released as a single, the song charted in the top 10 in the UK in 1991 following a campaign by radio presenter Simon Mayo.
Broadway
The song was also featured in Monty Python’s broadway musical adaptation, SPAMALOT.
Single Release
Surprisingly, the song was not released as a single until 1991, 12 years after it initially appeared in the film, "Monty Python's Life of Brian."
Official Video
The official music video for "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" features Eric Idle walking through London and Brighton, singing the song as various chaotic events take place around him.
Global Impact
The song is internationally recognized, with translations in various languages including Dutch and German.
Orchestral Version
The song has also been recorded as an orchestra version featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra for the album, "Comedy Classics."
Use in Advertisements
Over the years, the song has been used in various advertisements in the UK, helping to cement its status as a cultural staple.

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