“Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life” by Eric Idle

In 2014, the Telegraph published the findings of a study carried out by a cohort of funeral directors investigating which is the most played song at funerals in the United Kingdom. The survey, based on more than 30,000 funerals, found that the song that beat out hymns such as “The Lord is My Shepherd” and “Abide With Me” (in second and third place respectively) was none other than “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from the 1979 film “Monty Python’s Life of Brian.”

In 2011, “Always Look on The Bright Side of Life” was number 13 on the list of top 20 funeral songs.  Its rise to first place in 2014 probably had something to do with Eric Idle singing the tune at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and so reviving the song in the public’s consciousness. David Collingwood of the Co-operative Funeralcare says that the 2014 list of top 20 funeral songs represent “a generational shift in attitudes towards funerals.” In reference to the trend away from more traditional pieces, Collingwood says: “The variety of songs played at funerals today illustrates how more and more people are choosing to personalize funerals, and celebrate their loved one’s life with a fitting farewell.”

The jaunty, irreverent tongue in cheek tune, was conceived as a parody of the genre of upbeat singalong songs featured in Disney films (such as “Give a Little Whistle” from Pinocchio). “Always Look on The Bright Side of Life” appears at the end of the film, during the main character’s death scene. Brian and several others are cheerily singing “Always Look On The Bright Side of Life” as they hang on crosses, destined to die.

“If life seems jolly rotten, there’s something you’ve forgotten, and that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing,” croon the chorus of characters being crucified on a hillside. The juxtaposition of the lyrics with the circumstances creates a giddy irony that clearly strikes a deep chord for those seeking comfort in humor:

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.

Listen to Monty Python sing the song as part of in their emotional farewell performance in the video below, and read the full lyrics here.