The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief was the fourth album by the Monty Python comedy group, released in 1973. The full title of the album is "Free Record Given Away With The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief", and the initial pressings were allegedly packaged with a real tie and handkerchief and distributed to menswear stores, the concept being that the record was merely a 'free gift' in the manner of plastic dinosaurs with breakfast cereals. It is particularly noted for the fact that the original release on Charisma Records had two parallel grooves on side two, so that different material would be played depending on where the stylus was put down on the record's surface. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as a "three-sided" record. The cutting was carried out by George "Porky" Peckham. To further confuse the listener, both sides of the LP are labelled "Side 2" - only the matrix numbers (CAS1080A and CAS1080B) identify which are the first and second sides.

The following sketches are from the TV series: Salvation Fuzz, Bruces/Philosophers Song, Cheese Shop, Mrs. Niggerbaiter Explodes, Oscar Wilde. The remainder are exclusive to this album.

Track listing

Side 1

1. Salvation Fuzz
2. Elephantoplasty
3. Novel Writing
4. Word Association
5. Bruces/Philosopher's Song
6. The Adventures of Ralph Mellish
7. Cheese Shop
8. Wasp Club/Tiger Talk
9. Great Actors

Side 2

One or other of these two series of tracks will play, depending on which groove the stylus is cued on.

1. The Background to History
2. First World War Noises
3. Boxing Tonight (Fight Of The Century)

This is actually referred to as "Side 3":

1. Minister for Overseas Development (aka Mrs. Niggerbaiter explodes)
2. Oscar Wilde and Friends
3. Buying A Cat
4. Phone-In

Monty Python albums