MovieChat Forums > Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) Discussion > Why is Eric Idle singing the Lumberjack ...

Why is Eric Idle singing the Lumberjack song??

posted 15 years ago by Keyzer85
8 replies | jump to latest

Why didnt Michael Palin sing it?

[–] ben-1047 15 years ago

I always thought that myself.

Maybe, they wanted to surprise the audience, by not expecting Michael to sing.

Maybe, Michael couldnt get changed quickly enough for the next scene, so they gave it to Eric.

Either way, Eric pulls it off well.

[–] Keyzer85 15 years ago

Yeah he does..
Maybe they just figured since Eric had such great success with the his music for python, he should sing it?

"Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

[–] Old_Painty_Cans_Ned 15 years ago

I heard that Palin and Idol would switch off singing "The Lumberjack Song" in the live performances so that he audience wouldn't see it coming. Don't know if this it true but it is the explanation that I've always heard and it does make sense.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] vincent-27 14 years ago

I think Eric wrote it.

--
"Surrender Dorothy!"

[–] Keyzer85 14 years ago

Maybe Palin just lost his voice:)

Looking for spoilers, are ya?

[–] Robbmonster 9 years ago

Just watching this now, for the first time in almost 20 years.

The whole show may have been Idle's brainchild. He is certainly featured a lot more than any other member.

Never defend crap with 'It's just a movie'
http://www.youtube.com/user/BigGreenProds

[–] nwobhmeternal 7 years ago

My guess is:

1) Eric could do a quicker costume change since Michael was in "church police" clothes.

2) Eric probably had to learn how to do the song for his own shows and stuff.