Content area
Full text
As news of a Monty Python reunion is announced, Martin Chilton selects their five best songs
*ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE (1979)
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life is sung by Eric Idle at the end of the 1979 film Life of Brian as his character, Mr Cheeky, is part of a mass crucifixion on a Jerusalem hillside. Idle's lyrics are full of jovial optimism ('When you're chewing on life's gristle/Hey, don't grumble, give a whistle') undercut by dark humour ('Life's a piece of s--t/ When you look at it') and has inspired countless singalongs. It was sung by Manchester United fans to celebrate their 1999 European Cup triumph and was previously sung by the crew of the sinking HMS Sheffield during the Falklands War, singing it to keep up morale. The song has been chosen five times on Desert Island Discs (including by footballers Tony Adams and Gary...