VERY INTERESTING: HORRIBLE HISTORY SONGS

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

Horrible Histories: The Best Songs In The Show

The classic BBC series Horrible Histories features some fantastic and comical songs, but which of them is the best?

The BBC's Horrible Histories featured hundreds of hilarious sketches, with many episodes also boasting their own musical number. These songs were performed by the same cast and were always historical re-tellings of major events from throughout known civilization from a satirical point of view.

Much of this music was a parody of well-known songs, however, each one included memorable performances, brilliant costuming, clever lyrics, or humorous staging. These songs have managed to stand out amongst the rest because they succeed in being both informative and simply hilarious.

The Wives Of Henry VIII: Divorced Beheaded And Died

This song about the infamous King Henry VIII was largely taken from the traditional rhyme associated with remembering the many names of his six wives. However, the Horrible Histories song does expand on the information given in the simple rhyme with clever, and downright funny, lyrics.

This is a classic of the series as it ticks every box. It's a throwback to a familiar tune while featuring one of British history's most famous faces. Its staging is actually pretty simple which puts the focus on each of the women Henry is singing about. Of course, it's no match for the best musicals based on historical events but is a solid entry into the archives.

Ain't Staying Alive

A parody of "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees, this Horrible Histories song is set during the Aztec era. A group of priests sings about the sacrifices they make for their gods, proclaiming that it's pretty rare that many of the local civilians will actually survive.

It's catchy, full of crazy vocals, includes period-accurate costuming, and features a fun shout-out to some of the deities they are killing in the name of. Needless to say, the song stands out for its absurdity as well as its toe-tapping beat. It definitely lives up to the horrible part of the show's name though.

RAF Pilot Song

Take That's "Relight My Fire" featuring Lulu is the inspiration behind this RAF classic, which celebrates the non-British pilots who gave their lives and served the allies during the second world war. Despite being a bop, the song actually contains a vital message about unity during a crisis.

The upbeat tone of the song doesn't quite match the sacrifices that these brave men actually made during their service, but it's still a great way to share an often forgotten piece of historical knowledge with a wider audience. This is a much larger ensemble performance that features the talent of some of the best of the cast.

Sweet King Richard III

When Horrible Histories takes on a ballad they go all in. "Sweet King Richard III" took its cues from a number of real-world songs, but this also feels like an original serving as a love letter to the misunderstood monarch.

The song is all about breaking down the myths of King Richard III, performed stunningly by Jim Howick. who fans may recognize from other roles including in Sex Education and, of course, Ghosts. It's one of his best performances in Horrible Histories and although it's still pretty witty, actually delivers some real heart.

Cleopatra

Lady Gaga clearly had a huge influence on "Cleopatra" which portrays the famous leader as a bit of a celebrity, obsessed with gossip and the paparazzi. The number paints her complex history in all of its colors, not holding back on any of the gruesome details that saw her hold on to power for so long.

It's shot as if it's a professional music video, albeit one that's set in ancient Egypt and boasts some beautiful fashion pieces befitting an empress. "Cleopatra" is a performance perfected by Martha Howe-Douglas who fully embraces the role as the diva queen.

Born To Rule

The many King Georges of Britain had a huge impact on history and the song "Born To Rule" is an ensemble ballad that attempts to tell each of their stories. All are family members, and all are connected by their names but each of their personalities is vastly different. Whether they were a little kooky or actually managed to rule with some decorum, these monarchs are noted for some of their bizarre decisions.

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking