Monty Python and Eric Idle forged a unique musical path marked by humor and satire. Their jokes often surprised people with how weird or clever they were.
Monty Python was a British comedy group known for their silly and smart humor. They made the TV show Monty Python’s Flying Circus and funny movies like Holy Grail and Life of Brian.
Eric Idle is one of the members of Monty Python. He’s known for writing funny songs like Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. He’s also an actor, writer, and musician.
While Monty Python’s music was a group effort, Idle stood out as the voice and pen behind many hits, tying their comedy and music careers into one unforgettable legacy.
About the Song
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life employs light-hearted, playful lyrics to encourage listeners to remain cheerful even in challenging times.
The song mixes simple words with a catchy whistling tune. Its theme is about finding humor in difficult moments and keeping a smile, no matter what happens.
| Detail | Monty Python | Eric Idle |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | November 16, 1979 | January 1, 2005 |
| Album | Monty Python Sings (Again) | Monty Python’s Spamalot (Original Broadway Cast) |
| Writer | Eric Idle | John Du Prez & Eric Idle |
| Producers | Dave Howman & Andre Jacquemin | John Goldstone |
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Lyrics by Monty Python
Intro
Cheer up Brian, you know what they say?
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…
Chorus
Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
Always look on the light side of life
(Whistle)
Verse 1
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…
Chorus
Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle) (Come on!)
Always look on the right side of life
(Whistle)
Verse 2
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
Chorus
So always look on the bright side of death
(Whistle)
A-Just before you draw your terminal breath
(Whistle)
Verse 3
Life’s a piece of shit (Oooh)
When you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s the joke, it’s true (Oooh)
You’ll see it’s all a show (Oooh)
Keep ’em laughin’ as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you (Oooh)
And…
Chorus
Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
Always look on the right side of life
(Whistle) (C’mon Brian, cheer up!)
Outro
Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle)
(Worse things happen at sea, you know?)
Always look on the bright side of life
(Whistle) (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 bright side of life
(Whistle)
(Nothing will come from nothing
You know what they say?)
Always look on the bright side of life
(Cheer up, ya old bugger
C’mon, give us a grin!
There y’are, see?) (Whistle)
(It’s the end of the film)
(Incidentally, this record is available in the foyer)
Always look on the bright side of life
(Some of us got to live as well, you know?) (Whistle)
(All right, that’s the lot, let’s get this place knocked down
The whole show’s dismantled in three weeks
Who do you think pays for all this rubbish?)
Always look on the bright side of life
(They’ll never make their money back, you know
I told ‘im, I said to ‘im, “Bernie,” I said, “they’ll never make their money back.”) (Whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Lyrics by Eric Idle
ARTHUR, spoken
This is a total bloody disaster. All my knights have fled, and we’re lost in a dark and very expensive forest
PATSY, spoken
Well, it could be worse!
ARTHUR, spoken
Oh, how could it possibly be worse?
PATSY, spoken
Oh, cheer up, sire! You know what they say
ARTHUR, spoken
What do they say, Patsy?
PATSY, sung
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 right side of life
PATSY, spoken
You give it a try!
PATSY, sung
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 –
COMPANY
Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life
PATSY
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 –
ARTHUR
Always look on the bright side of death
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
PATSY
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep ’em laughing as you go
ARTHUR
Just remember that the last laugh is on you
COMPANY
Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life
(dance sequence)
Always look on the bright side of life!
Always look on the bright side of life!
Always look on the bright side of life!
Always look on the bright side of life!
PATSY, ARTHUR
For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
ARTHUR, spoken
Excuse me – is that a shrubbery?
WOMAN
Oh, yes, I’m throwing it out. The cat won’t leave it alone
ARTHUR, spoken
What a stroke of luck! I’ll take it off your hands. Pay the lady, Patsy!
PATSY, ARTHUR
Always look on the bright side of life!
Always look on the bright side of life!
Side of life!
Side of life!
Similar Songs Like Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
These songs share the same fun, clever tone and light style as Always Look on the Bright Side of Life:
- Galaxy Song: Spinning through cosmic facts, this upbeat tune mixes science with humor, turning space knowledge into a catchy and cheerful melody.
- I Like Chinese: Celebrating culture with joy, this fast-paced song highlights Chinese traditions and quirks using bright music and humorous, friendly lyrics.
- Galaxy DNA Song: Explaining human makeup, this bouncy, feel-good song teaches DNA basics in a way that’s silly, smart, and easy to enjoy.
- F* the FCC: Mocking censorship, this daring song pairs bold lyrics and a driving beat to poke fun at speech rules with wit.
Similar Artists Like Monty Python and Eric Idle
Here are four artists who blend music and humor in clever, fun ways like Monty Python and Eric Idle:
- Weird Al Yankovic
Genre: Comedy, parody
Top Albums: Weird Al Yankovic (1983), Straight Outta Lynwood (2006) - Flight of the Conchords
Genre: Comedy rock, folk
Top Albums: Flight of the Conchords (2008), I Told You I Was Freaky (2009) - The Rutles
Genre: Parody rock
Top Albums: The Rutles (1978), Archaeology (1996) - Tom Lehrer
Genre: Satire, folk comedy
Top Albums: Songs by Tom Lehrer (1953), An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer (1959)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whistling Key in Always Look on the Bright Side of Life?
Yes, it adds fun and keeps the tone light, even when the message is profound.
Can Children Always Look on the Bright Side of Life?
Yes, the tune is catchy and the lyrics are simple enough for kids to follow.
Is Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Popular?
Yes, many people sing or quote it even without knowing it’s from a comedy film.
