The Spam Song by Monty Python

Album: Sings (1991)

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Songfacts®:

Spam is a brand name of luncheon meat. It's name is a contraction of the words "spiced ham." Years later, the term "Spam" was used to describe junk e-mail.
This song first appeared on the 25th episode of the TV show Monty Python's Flying Circus, which was titled, appropriately enough, "Spam." On the show, a group of Vikings attempt to sing this song while Eric Idle and Graham Chapman (in drag) are ordering breakfast from Terry Jones, who recites the menu on which almost everything contains some spam. Terry Jones silences the Vikings until the end of the sketch, when he gives in and they sing the full version. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Connor - Stonington, CT
Assisting the group on background vocals were The Fred Tomlinson Singers. This group worked with Monty Python on several other songs as well.
The group was known more for their comedy than for their music. All of their movies, however, featured music written by members of the band. Members of the group were: Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam.
There are only three different words in this song. In alphabetical order these are: Lovely, Spam, and Wonderful. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Jeff - Haltom City, TX, for all above

Comments: 21

Jeff from New YorkThe Spam song sounds derivative of the song Beans, beans, beans, as sung by Jerry Lewis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWhhoySpevw
Karen from Manchester, NhI once led a rousing chorus of "Spam" at a large Thanksgiving gathering, much to the chagrin of my husband! :)
Trey from Kalamazoo, MtI liked fried spam. wonderful spam.
Jim from North Billerica, MaThere is only one way to make SPAM edible. You slice it, boil it in ginger ale, dip it in corn dog batter and then deep fry it. There is no other way it is edible. Even my hound dogs, who will eat anything, won't touch the stuff.
James from Gettysburg, PaGREATEST. SONG. EVER.
Cochise from Boston, MaIf you listen close the resturant person says "egg and bacon" then "egg sausage and bacon" no spam there
Flowery Twat from Philadelphia, PaWONDERFUL SPAM!!!!
Dan from Fairmont, MnThere is a Spam museum in Austin, Minnesota, where the canned meat product is produced. In the museum, they have a display that mentions the Python skit and song.
Anthony from Howell, NjI know it sounds sick but after a while doesn't it sound like "Sperm" instead of "Spam"?
Veronica from I Forget. . ., Dehave any of you seen the episode? oh, i am glad that I have met people who share my love for Monty Python. have any of you watched The holy grail movie? its great. nowadys, i watch the flying circus on BBC america! thanx bbc!!
Toshio from Kyoto, JapanWhew! visiting this page is making me hungry for SPAM!!!!! Spammity spammity spam!
Allen from Bethel, AkSpam, spam, spam, spam, SPAM SPAMITY SPAM!
So classic.
Liam from Campbell River, Canada"Well i love spam, I'm having spam, spam, spam, spam, bacon, spam, eggs, and spam."
Keith from Slc, UtSpam = "S**t Posing As Meat"
Kent from Latrobe, PaSpam?!!! I Don'T Like Spam!!!! Get It Away From Me Now Before I Shove It Downyour Throat!!!!
(I only did that to symbolize the hatred for Spam in that sketch!)
Jeff from Haltom City, TxSamuel Taylor Coleridge and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor were two different people, George of NC. Therefore, both you and Lee of OH are correct. STC did write "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", and SC-T did write "Hiawatha" and "Viking Song".
George from Williston, NcHenry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote"Hiawatha".Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"("Water,water everywhere nor any drop to drink,etc"
Lee from Heath, Oh"Spam Song" was based on African-British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's 1911 "Viking Song," which was recorded by baritone Emilio de Gogorza in 1918 on the Victrola label, and by the Associated Glee Clubs of America in 1926 on the Victor label. There was also a 1940s recording of the work on British Decca. In the Python song, "Spam" replaced the original lyric "clang" (as in, "Clang, clang, clang on the anvil"). Now we know the reason for the presence of Vikings in the Python sketch! The original tune concerns British ships; the Norse gods Thor and Odin are mentioned. Coleridge-Taylor was very famous in England in the early 1900s. His most popular work was "Hiawatha."
Ross from Balloch, ScotlandThe sketch this song features in takes place in a small cafe which is filled with Vikings (who sing the song).
Everyone should see the sketch
Will from Portland, OrEuuh, I don't like Spam!
Well how about bacon eggs and spam that doesn't have much spam!
This is a funny sketch!
Jeff from Haltom City, TxAnd yes, it does seem a bit strange to me that I should come up with so many Songfacts for a song that has so few words, and no instrumentation. Some of the above were submitted as Artistfacts.

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