Monty Python's Life of Brian (album) explained

Monty Python's Life of Brian
Type:	Soundtrack album
Artist:	Monty Python
Cover:	MONTY_PYTHON%27S_LIFE_OF_BRIAN_SOUNDTRACK.jpg
Released:	8 October 1979 (US) 9 November 1979 (UK)
Recorded:	1978–1979 (soundtrack) & August 1979 (studio material)
Studio:	Redwood Recording Studios, London
Length:	51:51
Label:	Warner Bros. Records
Prev Title:	The Monty Python Instant Record Collection
Prev Year:	1977
Next Title:	Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album
Next Year:	1980

Monty Python's Life of Brian is the second soundtrack album by Monty Python, released in 1979 alongside the film of the same name. It contains scenes from the film interrupted by linking sections performed by Eric Idle and Graham Chapman, who also acted as producers following an aborted attempt at a soundtrack album by Michael Palin.^[1] The album opens with a brief rendition of "Hava Nagila" on Scottish bagpipes, which had earlier been considered for use in a scene later cut from the film.^[2]

In common with the controversy surrounding the film, the album was banned in Ireland after Father Brian D'Arcy highlighted how it had worked its way through a loophole in the country's censorship laws, claiming "Anybody who buys the record and finds it funny must have something wrong with their mentality".^[3] Nevertheless, the album reached No.63 in the UK Albums Chart.^[4]

A 7" single (K17495) Double A-side of "Brian"/"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was released in the UK on 16 November 1979 to promote the album.

In 2006 a special edition CD added six bonus tracks comprising outtakes, demos and publicity material to the end of the album.

Part of the studio linking material was later used in the 2012 animated film .

A limited edition picture disc of the album was released on 13 April 2019, as part of Record Store Day.^[5]

Track listing

Side One

1. Introduction
2. Brian Song
3. The Wise Men at the Manger
4. Brian Song (cont.)
5. Sermon on the Mount (Big Nose)
6. Stone Salesman
7. Stoning
8. Ex-Leper
9. You Mean You Were Raped? (Nortius Maximus)
10. Revolutionaries in the Amphitheatre (Loretta)
11. Romans Go Home
12. What Have The Romans Ever Done For Us?
13. Ben
14. Brian Before Pilate (Thwow Him to the Floor)

Side Two

1. Prophets
2. Beard Salesman
3. Brian's Prophecy
4. The Hermit
5. He's Not the Messiah, He's a Very Naughty Boy
6. Pilate Sentences Brian
7. Nisus Wettus
8. Pilate with the Crowd (Welease Wodger)
9. Nisus Wettus with the Gaolers
10. Release Brian
11. Not So Bad Once You're Up
12. Revs Salute Brian
13. Cheeky is Released
14. "Look on the Bright Side of Life (All Things Dull and Ugly)"

2006 Bonus Tracks

1. Otto Sketch
2. Otto Song
3. Otto Song Demo (Python Sings)
4. Brian Song [Alternate Version]
5. Radio Ad - Record Shop
6. Radio Ad - Twice As Good

Charts

Chart (1979)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[6]	11
United Kingdom (Official Charts Company)	63

Notes and References

1. Palin, M., Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years, p.570
2. Palin, M., Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years, p.544
3. Hewison, Robert: Monty Python: The Case Against, p.91, 1980, Eyre Methuen
4. Web site: the life of brian | full Official Chart History . Officialcharts.com. 23 May 2022.
5. Web site: Monty Python - Record Store Day . recordstoreday.co.uk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190412193223/https://recordstoreday.co.uk/releases/rsd-2019/monty-python/ . 2019-04-12.
6. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian)

   . David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 206.