"Every Silver Lining Has A Cloud" was written by Philip Pope and featured in Episode 5 of Series 4. The song parodies the feel-good songs of the time, and is sung by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; Plague, War, Famine and Death; who are dressed as a Barbershop Quartet. It comments largely upon the fact that the darker aspects of life are never too far away, regardless of how one attempts to cover them up. It is one of Spitting Image's more depressing songs.
Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud - Spitting Image
Lyrics
When things are looking rosy and you’re feeling fine,
The skies are blue and it’s sunshine time,
Don’t forget who’s lurking just outside the door:
It’s Famine! Death! Plague! And War!
Mister Happiness is coming round to tea,
The birds are singing in the tree,
Don’t forget who’s waiting there just off-stage:
It’s War! Famine! Death! And Plague!
'Cause every silver lining has a cloud!
And it won’t be alright on the night!
There’s nothing at the end of the rainbow!
And there’s a tunnel at the end of the light!
When things are looking really incredibly bad,
Your manically depressed and (Ha!) kind of sad,
Don’t forget we haven’t even started yet:
We’re War! Famine! Plague! And Death!
'Cause un-happy times are here again!
The grass is greener on the other side!
Your ship isn't ever coming in!
And where there’s a will; someone’s died!
When good old Uncle Jollity is out-of-town,
You’re feeling blue and you’re wearing a frown,
Don’t forget there’s even nastier things a-comin':
There’s Plague! War! Death! And Famine!
'Cause every silver lining has a cloud!
And it won’t be alright on the night!
There’s nothing at the end of the rainbow!
And there’s a tunnel at the end of the light!
'Cause every silver lining has a cloud! (Oh!)
And it won’t be alright on the night!
There’s nothing at the end of the rainbow!
And there’s a tunnel at the end of the light!
'Cause every silver lining has a cloud! (It does!)
And it won’t be alright on the night! (Oh no!)
There’s nothing at the end of the rainbow…
Trivia
The Death puppet was used semi-frequently in sketches, and "sings" at least two other songs, the first being the famous Every Bomb You Make as well as in You Need Arms.
The Four Horsemen also appeared in several sketches as a group, most prominently as Ronald Reagan's new advisers in one of the earlier series.