Brian Song

This article is about the song from the 1979 film Monty Python's Life of Brian. For the 1971 television film, see Brian's Song.

"Brian Song" is the title song from the 1979 film Monty Python's Life of Brian.^[1] It was released as a single in the UK on 16 November 1979 as a Double A side with "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life". The song, which charts the growth of the Brian character to manhood, was composed by Andre Jacquemin and Dave Howman with lyrics by Michael Palin. It was performed by sixteen-year-old Sonia Jones^[2] with a string and brass accompaniment in the style of a John Barry film theme (the entire brass section was performed via extensive multitracking by John Du Prez). It is included on the Monty Python's Life of Brian album and on the CD Monty Python Sings.^[3] In 2013 Martin Chilton, the culture editor for The Telegraph website, listed it as one of the five best Monty Python songs.^[1]

"Brian"
Single by Monty Python
from the album Monty Python's Life of Brian
A-side	"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (double A-side)
Released	16 November 1979
Genre	Comedy soundtrack
Label	Warner Bros.
Composer(s)	Andre Jacquemin Dave Howman
Lyricist(s)	Michael Palin
Producer(s)	Andre Jacquemin Dave Howman
Monty Python singles chronology
"Python On Song" (1976) "Brian" / "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (1979) "I Like Chinese" (1980)

In 2009, Jones re-recorded the song for the opening credits of the six-part documentary series Monty Python: Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut), with altered lyrics referring to "Python" rather than "Brian". Five different versions were used for the first five episodes, with Jones sounding increasingly fed up with performing the song. On the sixth and final episode she was replaced by Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson.

References

1. Monty Python Reunion - Five Best Monty Python Songs at The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 June 2014
2. Sonia Jones.com. Retrieved 20 July 2013
3. Monty Python Sings - Monty Python : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic