Celebrated Python Eric Idle turns 70 today.

I liked the group’s TV shows and sketches, though I have an extra helping of fondness for Eric Idle’s work as a funny lyricist. His “Galaxy Song” is a long-time favorite. And as someone who enjoys the puzzle of trying to piece together a set of comical lyrics, I think I at least have an appreciation for the challenges he faces even if I can’t approach Eric Idle’s skill and accomplishments.

And really … how could anyone dream that a life of inspired clowning around would lead directly to an opportunity to play this role on a global stage?

(You’ll have to click through the link to watch it on You Tube. Thanks, Olympic Committee!)

This must not be the version we were allowed to view on U.S. television, since he casually drops what we in the American broadcast industry call an S-Bomb – an official part of the written lyrics to this song, which is why I couldn’t play it on the radio.

But the song is catchy, and our end-of-March weather is certainly changing my outlook. With the extra hours of increasingly powerful sunlight, you can’t deny we’ve turned an important corner, weather-wise.

What song do you sing when you want to cheer up a bit?