This Is the Only Song Monty Python’s Eric Idle Wrote With George Harrison

Monty Python is commonly referred to as the “Beatles of comedy” — or are The Beatles the Monty Python of music? In any case, the two groups did overlap to some extent, thanks to Python fan George Harrison, who famously befriended the comedians and financed Monty Python’s Life of Brian when no other studio would.

The Python member who was most tight with Harrison was Eric Idle. Idle even credited the former Beatle for saving his life and lifting him out of a depression.

Recently, a fan asked Idle on social media whether or not he ever considered working on a musical project with Harrison. Idle noted that, in addition to collaborating on Life of Brian, he also directed two music videos for Harrison, including the distinctly Python-esque video for the 1977 song “Crackerjack Palace.”

Idle also pointed out that he did co-write a song with the music legend: “The Pirate Song.” 

Back in 1975, Idle recorded some promos for his friend’s new album Extra Texture, and even contributed to the album’s single “This Song,” dubbing the Python “pepperpot” voice over one section of the track.

As Idle wrote in his memoir, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography, in exchange for his help with the album, Harrison agreed to make a cameo appearance in a special Christmas episode of Rutland Weekend Television, Idle’s sketch new comedy series set in a rural TV station. 

In the episode, which aired on Boxing Day, Harrison is invited to sing some of his big hits, such as “My Sweet Lord,” but he shows up wearing an eye patch and a peg leg, and insists that he’s only there to act in the “pirate sketch.” He seemingly relents, and comes out dressed as himself, playing the guitar for a segment entitled “George Harrison Sings.” But after strumming the opening chords of “My Sweet Lord,” Harris randomly launches into a song about how much he wants to be a pirate, much to the confusion of the band. 

It was kind of a nautical riff on Monty Python’s “The Lumberjack Song.” And arguably a precursor to the Lonely Island’s “Jack Sparrow,” which similarly focused on a music star who won’t stop singing about pirates during a performance. 

“It was a terrific gag and still one of my favorite moments,” Idle wrote of the episode. “It is the only Harrison/Idle song, but certainly up there with the best of Lennon and McCartney,” he joked. 

According to Idle, Olivia Harrison, George’s widow, told him that she thought the pirate-based comedy routine was “the bravest thing George ever did.” And Harrison himself seemed to have a great time; Idle recalled that they “celebrated for hours” after the taping. Then Harrison’s car ran out of gas on the drive home, and “slid onto the forecourt of a country pub.” Luckily, the pub’s landlord “cheerfully woke up to begin serving drinks.”

Incidentally, don’t ever try this unless you’re a Beatle.