Monty Python Sings
Compilation album by Monty Python
Released	11 December 1989 (UK)
Recorded	1971–1989
Genre	Comedy
Length	54:16 (1989) 1:08:58 (2014)
Label	Virgin
Producer	Eric Idle, Andre Jacquemin
Monty Python chronology
The Final Rip Off (1987) Monty Python Sings (1989) The Ultimate Monty Python Rip Off (1994)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	A−[2]

Monty Python Sings is a compilation album of songs by English comedy troupe Monty Python. Released in 1989 to celebrate their 20th anniversary, it contains popular songs from their previous albums and films. The album was dedicated to the memory of founding member Graham Chapman, who died two months before its release.

Songs

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The album contained two previously unreleased tracks: "Oliver Cromwell" (originally performed by John Cleese on the 1960s radio series I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again) was recorded during sessions for Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album in 1980, while a studio recording of Terry Gilliam's live standard "I've Got Two Legs" was recorded in 1974 for the Drury Lane shows, where it was to be mimed onstage, but discarded once Gilliam decided to perform it live instead. The album also has a longer version of "Medical Love Song," with added instrumentation and previously unheard verses which mix out Eric Idle's guide vocals and push Graham Chapman's lead vocal to the forefront. The remixes of "Sit on My Face" and the extended "Henry Kissinger" from The Final Rip Off were also used, as well as a new mix of "Bruces' Philosophers Song (Bruces' Song)" and a remix of the 1975 George Harrison-produced single version of "The Lumberjack Song", featuring some alternate vocal takes. This was the first compilation to include tracks from the Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life soundtracks, albeit in remixed form. "Every Sperm Is Sacred" is the extended version, previously only available on the B-side of the 7-inch single of "Galaxy Song".

Artwork

The cover design by Terry Gilliam marked his first original album artwork since 1977's Instant Record Collection. The original vinyl release contained a booklet featuring illustrated lyrics to all the songs.

Reissues

Although the album did not chart on its original 1989 release, it was re-promoted following the successful reissue of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" in 1991, when it reached No. 62 in the UK Albums Chart.^[3]

On 30 June 2014, the album was re-released as Monty Python Sings (Again) on CD and as a digital download, expanded with six additional recordings: three out-takes from Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album and three new tracks from Eric Idle, recorded for inclusion in the team's reunion shows Monty Python Live (Mostly). A deluxe edition in both formats also included the 1970 Monty Python's Flying Circus album. This version of the album reached No. 35 in the UK Albums Chart.^[3]

To celebrate the team's 50th anniversary, a double vinyl album set of Monty Python Sings (Again) was released on 4 October 2019, now including the Stephen Hawking version of "Galaxy Song," first released as a limited edition 7-inch single for Record Store Day on 18 April 2015.^[4]

Track listing

Personnel

References