The album was dedicated to the memory of founding member Graham Chapman, who died two months before its release.

The album contained two previously unreleased tracks: "Oliver Cromwell" (originally performed by John Cleese on the 1960s radio series I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again) was recorded during sessions for Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album in 1980, while a studio recording of Terry Gilliam's live standard "I've Got Two Legs" was recorded in 1974 for the Drury Lane shows, where it was to be mimed onstage, but discarded once Gilliam decided to perform it live instead.

The cover design by Terry Gilliam marked his first original album artwork since 1977's Instant Record Collection.

Although the album did not chart on its original 1989 release, it was re-promoted following the successful reissue of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" in 1991, when it reached No.

[3] To celebrate the team's 50th anniversary, a double vinyl album set of Monty Python Sings (Again) was released on 4 October 2019, now including the Stephen Hawking version of "Galaxy Song," first released as a limited edition 7-inch single for Record Store Day on 18 April 2015.