The Real Life Mustache Song From A Million Ways To Die In The West

Summary

The iconic song “If You’ve Only Got A Mustache” fromA Million Ways to Die in the Westis actually a real song written in the 1860s.A Million Ways to Die in the Westreferences many Western filmsand tropes while adding a comedic spin.Though not a musical, the movie has one notable song and dance number, in which the town snob, Foy (Neil Patrick Harris), asserts his dominance over the apprehensive Albert (Seth MacFarlane). As the song points out, Foy sports a notably full mustache, which he flaunts in the number.

The film features MacFarlane in his first live-action leading role as Albert, who many consider to beone of Seth MacFarlane’s best characters. With MacFarlane attached as the film’s director, writer, and star,A Million Ways to Die in the Westis undoubtedly comedic and absurd. However, many viewers were surprised thatthe comically catchy “Mustache Song” wasn’t an original written for the moviebut a tune from 1864. In fact, the only song that wasn’t made by the film’s composer, Joel McNeely, was written by renowned American songwriter and lyricist Stephen Foster.

‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ Review

No doubt, there’s a market for films like A Million Ways to Die in the West and longtime MacFarlane fans (as well as raunch-comedy lovers) should find plenty to enjoy in the Western spoof.

“If You’ve Only Got A Moustache” By Stephen Foster Is The Real Song From A Million Ways To Die In The West

Even At The Time, Foster Was A Notable Songwriter

AlthoughA Million Ways To Die In The West’s “Mustache Song” seems specifically written for the film, it has a surprisingly authentic origin.Stephen Foster was a famous American folk song composerworking in the first half of the 19th century. While some of his popular songs are straightforward odes, he also created comedic tunes. This includes “If You’ve Only Got A Moustache” – also known as the movie’s “Mustache Song”.

Accompanied by lyricist George Cooper, Foster developed “If You’ve Only Got A Moustache” in the last year of his life.A Million Ways to Die in the Westrecognizes Foster’s popularity at the time, with the characters saying there are “only like three songs” and “they’re all by Stephen Foster.” However, it’s telling that the movie uses “If You’ve Only Got A Moustache” to such great effect – highlighting its suitability for the scene.

The original sheet music for Foster’s song is available to view through the United States Library of Congress Archives.

How Seth MacFarlane’s Mustache Song Compares To The Real 1800s Song

Despite Lyrical Changes, The Song’s Moral Is The Same

Apart from the chorus, which remains, “If you’ve only got a moustache, a moustache, a moustache,”the verses were slightly altered for the movie version of the song.The changes are relatively minute, and the song maintains its original tune and comedic undertones. As Foster intended, the song is still used in a humorous context, although the characters inA Million Ways to Die in the Westplay it straight as if it were a serious song and dance number. While the lyrics diverge from Foster’s original, the song’s moral remains: women will (allegedly) always be impressed by a mustache.

A Million Ways to Die in the West

Cast

In A Million Ways to Die in the West, Seth MacFarlane writes, directs, and stars. This Western comedy film follows a farmhand named Albert who has no desire to take place in duels or engage in the masculine expectations of a frontiersman. But when a new expert gunslinger named Anna arrives in town and trains him to defend himself and become a better shot, Albert begins to find the courage he’s always lacked - just in time to defend himself from Anna’s jealous outlaw husband.