Eric Idle talks about the inspiration behind his hit song "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life"

Eric talks with “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” producer, John Goldstone, about the inspiration behind his hit song "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life” which is also the name of his new memoir, now available everywhere books are sold. Read more at prh.com/brightside
Eric will be on tour in the US, U.K. and Australia from 3 October 2018 to promote the book. For more information visit tinyurl.com/y7ebz6pa
In "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography", Eric takes us on a remarkable journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theatre, and film. With equal parts hilarity and heart, Eric shares the highlights of his life and work with the kind of offbeat humour that has delighted audiences for five decades, chock full of behind-the-scenes stories from a high-flying life featuring everyone from Princess Leia to Queen Elizabeth.

[@alicec1533]

I love how the song is tongue-in-cheek, whilst also espousing a genuine philosophy at the same time.

[@david8157]

I want it played at my crucifixion

[@DithanBeatz]

I laughed out loud 😂😂😂

[@mikearchibald744]

LOL, oh your a very naughty boy....or a comedy messiah

[@ardones11]

Along with "the idiot" song

[@roguestar8]

Laughed out loud for real as well! Great comment 😂

[@neldaguadalupetrevinoherna8352]

🤣🤣

[@bobbywilson9173]

His voice still sounds the same !

[@watbuilder5267]

It does, i thought he's voice would change.

[@DragonRazor9283]

still perfect singing as it was 40 years ago!

[@Dirk-van-den-Berg]

A voice doesn't change over time. People get older, but their voices don't change.

[@Brinta3]

@@Dirk-van-den-Berg Singing voices do change. The timbre changes, and you lose the high notes.

[@cutter-games]

@@Dirk-van-den-Berg Your voice doesn't change fundamentally, that's true, but high notes become more difficult or change as you get older.

[@mu2freighter]

I'm eternally grateful to these gents for enhancing my life for...oh, 44 years now. Cheers!

[@vondahe]

I cannot think of any other comedian or group of comedians who come anywhere near Monty Python’s legacy. They’re simply unique.

[@alexthiebaut2195]

There’s a few, you just don’t know them. The Monthy Python are incredible, especially this film (Life of Brian). Each culture has their own comedians, some can expand their humour to other countries some can’t. In France you had two groups on comedians in the 80/90’s, Les Nuls and Les Inconnus. Both of those groups are on the same level as the Monthy Python, they’ve changed French culture and the French language and had as much an impact as the monty python had. It’s like Orson Welles said, the funniest group of comedian ever was probably a group in China nobody outside China ever heard about

[@scotchfaster]

I honestly cannot either. But Mr. Show continued in their tradition I would say.

[@dave1986R]

I cracked up when he said”...we all pissed off for the day”. It reminds me of when Brian’s mom says “look he’s not giving you any money now piss off!” LOL.

[@deavea]

My family was considering playing this song at my dad's funeral, but we weren't brave enough. This song will always remind me about his lovely sense of humor

[@foxahamtheminor-attractedp7736]

lol

[@auroreboreale9163]

And I wanted to wear vampire teeth when I say "yes" to my marriage - (I was born in Romania 🤭), but I wasn't brave either. But each time I think of it I'm laughing, and it's been 28 years since then 😅🤣 Belated condolences to you for your loss, I guess you'll always look on the bright side of life when you'll look at it, and think of your father with a laughing tender smile! 🙏 So, yeah, we should always look a the bright side of life, cause laugh is medecine ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤍

[@deavea]

@@auroreboreale9163 vampire teeth was an exellent idea!

[@LoveOfATree]

well, thanks for the idea! now i want this song played at my funeral!

[@sampeacaml9307]

I will play it at my funeral. Happy to see that this song reminds you of happy things.

[@insanehobo01]

a perfect song, it always cheers me up when im felling like shit

[@alejandrorivas4585]

Its one of those songs that every single time makes me simultaneously laugh and cry

[@zombierevel]

Just learning how to play guitar and its the first song I am trying to learn. My life have being shit for the last years, but this song always cheers me up.

[@SleepyCinnamon]

life’s a piece of shit, when ya look at it.

[@Jwnorton]

During the Falklands war, when HMS Sheffield was sinking, Royal Navy sailors were on the upper hull, waiting for the helos to come and rescue them. Sone enterprising swabbie started up a rousing chorus of this, and it was captured by a BBC film crew. It was a classic moment in a terrible incident.

[@drew6194]

Brilliant story. Talk about grace under fire.

[@mauijaystar]

Weʻll be singing this after spreading my momʻs ashes in the mountains next Friday. Thank you, Eric Idle, for giving her so much joy.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Mickey Baker's jazz chords have helped so many players move to the next level of composition, bless him!

[@shpongloidia]

I loved this song as a kid. Had it stuck in my head constantly.

[@joshslater2426]

“You come into this world with nothing, you go out with nothing. What have you lost! Nothing!” Eric Idle’s probably the only genius who could make such a grim reality reassuring and fun. He’s helped a lot of us look on the bright side of life.

[@bonnies.d.1121]

Thanks! I needed help with that lyric!

[@noremorsewoodworking2258]

When the film came out here, I of course - as an avid python fan - went to see it in the local cinema. The song stuck to me so well that as I and a friend was cycling home, I sang it almost without mistakes, right down to the cockney intro. I have of course heard it many times since and no longer remember what the minor mistakes were - probably just a word or two I had misheard. But at that time I had not heard it before, only that one time in the cinema. Just goes to show how good the song is, that it can imprint after just one hearing. Another commenter mentions the crew of the sinking HMS Sheffield, and I do remember that story - I may even have seen the clip on tv. I guess that is why (and because I know the song by heart) I started singing it when, during some pythonesquely absurd training for service in Afghanistan during the winter (training for desert warfare in minus 20C and 3 feet of snow - at night) I felt almost compelled to start singing "Some things in life are bad - the worst winter ever had. Makes squaddies cry and sergeants swear and curse"..... By the time we were supposed to charge "red team's" positions, even the Lieutenant was singing "Always look on the bright side of life", as we were trundling, stumbling, falling flat on our faces and laughing our way through the snow at a pace more suitable for three-legged turtles than an attacking platoon. The instructing officer just shook his head and walked away - but I swear he was whistling "da-da - dada-dada-dada". The next night we had to repeat the manoeuver "In strict silence - not a f*cking word!" But I guess we all tried to fire our guns in time with the chorus, because the officer later praised us for the very disciplined firing that night. Just some of the memories this lovely and cheerful song brings.

[@roadkingclassic627]

Come on lads, this is Python! You watch it over and over because its (oh he said it!) so bleedin good! Thanks so much to Eric and the whole lot of the Pythons for providing so much entertainment and joy for our lives. Right! Loved the show and all the movies, and always will. And now for something completely different, back to marching up and down the square...

[@bonnies.d.1121]

Roadkingclassic627, yep! I've had it on loop for two mornings in a row...so far!

[@jennibarger]

I played this song at my brother's funeral and put a quote from it on his funeral program. We loved watching Monty Python together. I listen to it occasionally to remind myself to keep a sense of humor about the absurdity of existence.

[@johnrowland3105]

I think Idle is a remarkable writer/co-writer/lyricist. I don't think folk truly appreciate just how much he's done over the years. Especially for the python stuff. It would have been enough to come up with 'classics' like.....Sit on my face and tell me that you love me. Or Eric the half a Bee or The galaxy song. Which in itself is an incredibly complex facts and figures melding into a song. But to have created arguably THE most comedically memorable song of all time, well loved and popularized by generations that came long after the Life of Brian had hit the zeitgeist, THAT is something special.

[@ItsShatter]

I learned how to whistle specifically so I could whistle this tune lol

[@MichaelAyden]

Eric, it’s one of the best songs in the world 😊

[@marymclean6097]

Love the backstory. We need this song now more than ever!

[@chipgaasche4933]

We needed it 2008-2016.

[@staylebutler9135]

We need it again now

[@downundanow5569]

We need it still..... 😊@@staylebutler9135

[@arbutuswatcher]

Grim as the subject matter may be, this song always makes me smile. Thanks guys, for all of your talents & efforts, to amuse us. I feel like it enriched my life in ways I can explain.

[@EbenezerEibenhardt]

Force yourself to sing this one when you're really in the thick of it, what they call 'in the valley of the shadow of death'. It works surprisingly well.

[@snythesly]

I always thought that the song they did was a cover of some famous song by some famous artist, i had no idea it was completely original because it was so good

[@mtobrien1]

He's a comedian and wonderful guitar player!

[@chopsueykungfu]

well, he knew George Harrison

[@rathgwvfredialhw7025]

Wish it were spring of 77' again. Love the backstory. We need this song now more than ever!

[@bonnienichalson5151]

Monty Python is so loved that a geek named a codeing after it "Python" It is a very use codeing language. This is a lasting legacy.Thank You Splat Monty Python:) The joy of my teenage years 💖

[@jmu4508]

Eric thank you for such an iconic and hilarious tune that truly helps whenever times are difficult.

[@ronniebrown2517]

in 1976 i decided to kill my t.v.....short while later i realized i could no longer watch monty python tuesday nights at 9 on p.b.s.,,, so i bought a 9 inch black and white t.v. which i kept in a closet and brought out every tuesday night at 9....i was going thru some very serious stuff in my life and this guy and his gang helped me keep sane....thank you eric and all the others.....

[@ssinberg]

It's hard to think of a more perfect ending for any film.

[@maxcordell1]

We sang this at my mate's funeral. When it came to the whole congregation whistling, the two Americans in the congregation stared around in shocked amazement. Oh, how we did laugh.

[@robsmithadventures1537]

Eric is a musical genius. He know how write songs that sounded catchy and were funny at the same time.

[@thrawn323]

I Have Seen several Monty Python items several times. That Which makes you laugh is the only healthy addiction I know of.

[@KittyAntonikWakfer]

Great to hear & see this story behind my favorite Monty Python movie - & one of my very favorite movies of all I've ever seen. And great song for any dying occasion :)

[@DrRestezi]

Anyone else going to have this played at their funeral?

[@cinexeon]

This is on the top of the list of songs I’ve given my kids to play at my funeral/fiesta!

[@c.w.r.794]

“A cheery uppy Disney song”~Eric Idole

[@SleepyCinnamon]

idle*

[@oxiigen]

Eric my dear, when we will finally hear something about the inspiration behind your hit song "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life"?

[@sveinnsigururolafsson8314]

One of my favorite songs.

[@d.c.8828]

Love it! Thank you, Mr. Idle!

[@stevenspenneberg7407]

This is great!! Thank you.

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

A legend When he sang it at the Games in London I thought Id burst with pride Well done sric

[@camron7829]

That’s the actual guitar :0000 what a legendary relic, there are many like it some came before even... but this ☝️ one

[@abelgallegoluis2780]

Grande eric eres el mejor cómico que he podido ver!

[@funghouls5498]

Great video on his process. Thank you !

[@hallmt]

Simply brilliant

[@alanwood5857]

Eric's new book "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" is excellent!

[@jukejointjack]

Thank you so very much George

[@Radegastx0]

Thanks for sharing this story!

[@NATHANTHEPIMP]

This is beautiful.

[@steve24550]

Fabulous ! Happy Easter everyone !!

[@KenPotter]

Eric Idle is Best Comedic Song Writer of All Time.

[@1silvervespa]

Thanks George !!!

[@nicksimms3771]

“It’s pretty, eh?” > immediately slams it into a concrete bench

[@pipsta]

😂

[@mikearchibald744]

Thanks for posting this. I learned to play my first song on my geetar by watching this video. Now I"m going to take the tune and sell "always look on the illuminated side of life" as a hit single.

[@sheamuswalsh3675]

Our family motto always look on the bright side of life

[@Saccromycaes]

Am I going crazy or is this the third time this has been posted?

[@fffUUUUUU]

LOL we're going crazy together :)

[@zombiebrainstudios]

You're not crazy. There are others like you. We need one more to be a superhero team 😎

[@SirDrFish]

Not crazy, definitely the third time it's been uploaded

[@Andrea_Manconi]

Who isn't crazy here?

[@Rhyno186]

LOL KZbin probably sent him a DMCA takedown notice due to the copyrighted material he was playing...

[@Bjowolf2]

Love this guy - and the other MP chaps 😉

[@rmtmiller]

Really great song!

[@ShawnTewes]

Tonight on 'It's the Mind', we examine the phenomenon of deja vu. That strange feeling we sometimes get that we've lived through something before...

[@sixsentsoldiers]

Wish it were spring of 77' again.

[@mu2freighter]

You and me both, pal.

[@srenhaandbk7904]

Wish i were around in spring of 77'. Or in the summer of 69' (guitar solo) for that matter! :D

[@johnwilson1935]

Totally brilliant.

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

The astutest & most creative Python!

[@jesusoftheapes]

this video is going to be a historical piece of magic someday.

[@brianmiller4207]

OMG! They are so young!!!!!!

[@willievstudio]

I didn’t watch the other posts but I did watch it this time and very Happy I did! Great details and if I were to be crucified I want it played!!!

[@Scottie1152]

These boys, molded my sense of the absurd, changed my whole perspective. They effectively ruined any chance I had of being a dentist. 😉❤️

[@abelundercity]

"So I took it to the Pythons... and they hated it." 🤣

[@phitur]

brilliant. A jazz song, I had no idea 😂

[@TheWodasi]

i love that shirt ! gotta green one just like it !

[@Clarinetboy82]

This made me smile. :)

[@tomhughes1055]

Legend

[@andydixon2980]

Comedy/musical genuis and bloody nice bloke. SAY NO MORE!

[@respectfulgamer7232]

It's brilliant.

[@yoshi314]

that reasoning sounds oddly obvious in retrospective.

[@a.m.a.n7876]

huge vision huge talent

[@waldomirolealjunior]

Genius!

[@maestroaxeman]

Comedic and satirical genius at its best.

[@themodernholmes1735]

If I'm dying in the hospital, I want all my family, friends, and acquaintances from past and present to sing with me as I'm on my death bed.

[@superslayerguy]

That's a very creative/interesting chord progression he put together

[@edsoderlind7568]

dudes are respectably awesome kickass

[@srenhaandbk7904]

I am 13 years old, and i am so very proud to recognize that "say no more!" from a sketch in late season one, or in season two, with Eric Idle and Terry Jones, where Eric asks very hyped about Terry's wife. "Is she ahh, 'she a goer? A goer ey? She likes sports eh? Does she like sports? Ohh, she likes pictures eyy? Say no more, say no more! Ey, ey!", and then it ends with Terry asking a bit mad, what Eric was doing. Eric says, "you've ever slept with a lady?", to which Terry replies; "well, yes", and Eric gets the final word by looking wondering up at Terry, with his head leaning on his left fist, asking, "how does it feel?"

[@Acrocanthosaurus]

Sempriny?

[@philstevens4536]

Semprini*

[@MammaApa]

Oh nice, audio book version is out now, read by Eric Idle!

[@vRackham]

It's great, definitely get the audio version. After I listened to Cleese read his own autobiography, I realized the timing really makes the wisecracks. Paper ain't got a chance.

[@vRackham]

I would even go as far as to say that, for the purposes of comedian autobiographies, paper is an ex-medium.

[@tabascocat5102]

Eric invented the most gorgeous key change EVER for the Galaxy song

[@blazinchalice]

Nice one, this.

[@jobckts682]

Philly DJ John DeBella, closes his show with Bright Side 9am. Joy!

[@Liberated_from_Religion]

"Life is a POS, when you look at it." We are all pretending, pretending that most things are not so bad. It is the only way not to fall into depression or not to go insane. So, this song reaffirms that and helps.

[@brianmiller4207]

love love love ^__^

[@charleswills4554]

M P F C always made me laugh,The Holy Grail was an awesome movie and The Lifeof Brian was good also.And i love the song.

[@billkates6938]

Nice video. Only one problem with this story: Eric completely erases the otherwise acknowledged fact that it was Neil Innes (Rutles, Bonzo Dog Band) who came up with the whistle hook in this song. Innes was a part of nearly all the Python music recording sessions along with arranger Jon Altman.

[@jamesrossi8442]

Bill Kates-Bill, read my comment about his plagiarizing Vivian Standshall’s “Old Scrotum, The Wrinkled Retainer.”

[@sabrinahakowein1540]

Am I going crazy or is this the third time this has been posted? Wish it were spring of 77' again.

[@scoutrifle6827]

Eric could tell me about the phone book and I'd be mesmerized....natural born storyteller.

[@movienerd202]

Eric Idle and John Cleese were recently on Marc Maron's WTF podcast for anyone interested.

[@itcomesback]

NO ONE EXPECTS THIS VIDEO RELEASE!

[@jonjones1553]

I wish this was our national anthem.

[@kensimpson4286]

I suppose Eric forgot how Neil Innes came up with the whistling bit? No worries Eric. We're all getting older.

[@gringochucha]

Selective memory can be very convenient.

[@addisonshinedown]

If I get one more notification for this....

[@lisciatoredimele8919]

Jesus, for real...

[@Parambolumberienriatta]

I heard it for the first ti.e in credits of "The Beasts Within" BBC.

[@lenaayres4118]

I want this played at my pauper's funeral

[@Gloppp]

Lol.. I love this so much that I was trying to justify sending it to a very religious friend who ended a text with " always look on the bright side of life" and oh course the adult in me knows that would be a terrible idea, but the kid in me really, really wants to.. Humm to be continued lol great post btw you have given me food for thought as it were.

[@2011littlejohn1]

I hope that everyone realizes that this guy got to jam at parties with George Harrison - the bastard. :)

[@vilstef6988]

It was a needed thing for the group to sing it at Graham Chapman's funeral.