Eric Idle

Eric Idle (Born March 29, 1943) is a comedian, actor and film director, as well as an author and accomplished guitarist/songwriter. He wrote and performed as part of the Monty Python team.

Monty Python

His skills as a singer-songwriter were also put to use in his work with Monty Python, having written the majority of the songs featured in their television series' and films. These include "Eric the Half-a-Bee", "The Philosophers' Song" and probably his most recognised hit "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", which was written for the closing scene of the film Life of Brian, sung from the crosses during the mass crucifixion, as something of an antidote to Death. When a clip of this song was used as part of a jingle by Simon Mayo on the Radio 1 breakfast show in 1991, it was re-released to much acclaim, and reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart. It later became a staple football chant. He also was in the prologue for The Meaning of Life which contains the following:

Related Topics:
The Philosophers' Song - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Life of Brian - Jingle - Simon Mayo - Radio 1 - 1991 - UK Singles Chart

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:There's everthing in this movie-- everything that fits.

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:From the meaning of life in the universe to girls with great big tits.

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:We've got movie stars, foreign cars, explosions and lot...

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:Filmed as only we know how... on the budget that we've got.

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:We spent a fortune on locations and quite a bit on drink...

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:And there's even the odd philisophical joke... just to make you buggers think.

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:Yet someparts are as deep and serious as you could wish.

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:But largely it's all tits and ass and quite a lot of fish.

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:Other bits are frankly childish and some are frankly rude...

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:But at least we've got a lot of nice girls all banging in the nude.

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:So take your seats, enjoy yourselves, and lets just hope it's funny.

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:Because it's not just done to make you laugh... but to make us lots of money.

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:Yes, sit back and have a good time with your boyfriend or your wife.

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:Relax and just enjoy yourselves... for this is The Meaning of Life.

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In the seventies he also had the role of editor of the Monty Python 'boks'. Recently, he released a book, A Pocketful of Python, of some of his favourite sketches from "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and some of his favourite passages from their books. These include sketches written by Idle himself, and also sketches which were written by the other Pythons.

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