Woops. “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” is believed to be a poetic journey through a drunken seduction, which is described by way of references to sex as a form … Alan Freeman was the host. Complete your Procol Harum collection. _g1.setAttribute('srcset', _g1.getAttribute('data-srcset')); var _g1; Listen free to Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade of Pale (A Whiter Shade of Pale, Lime Street Blues). 8 June 1967. In an interview with Uncut magazine, Reid shed a little light on the song’s origin and meaning. © Without much promotion, it reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Cosa aspetti? Ever seen a corpse in a coffin? Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-inverted-source'); This album is essential for just 3 tracks, A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Conquistador & Homburg. Air On A G String was the starting point but the rest was invention, with constant reference to Bach-like breaks and atmosphere.”. Yet the moment that Matthew Fisher’s Hammond organ pierces the air, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” is utterly mesmerizing. But what is it about A Whiter Shade Of Pale that has made it so enduring and iconic? Wut ever we all get out of it we all can agree to , roll one up and burn it down, and TURN IT UP,!!! My intepretation is that it's about a man who lost his woman who died because of drugs. Although Reid says it has nothing to do with it is very difficult to believe in that. All rights reserved. It’s a single with almost incomprehensible lyrics, has been the subject of drawn-out legal proceedings, and is the most played record by British broadcasting over the past 70 years or so. If you spend too much time trying to figure out Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade Of Pale,” you might miss out on its majestically-rendered sorrow. The baroque roquers of Procol Harum (Richmond, London) became world famous after the delivery of a few superb symphonic pop prototypes. I thought a Miller was a black moth with a powdery white edge-like coke. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-inverted-img'); Non hai capito le parole? No matter whether you buy one or twenty the postage is still the same $3.50 TOTAL (in the U.S.) if ( localStorage.getItem(skinItemId ) ) { Addeddate 2020-11-04 16:13:49 Identifier procol-harum-a-whiter-shade-of-pale-06.-cerdes-outside Scanner Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1.6.4 “I had the phrase ‘a whiter shade of pale,’ that was the start, and I knew it was a song,” he said. (1998), The Symphonic Music (1995), + many compilations including Secrets of the Hive (2007), One Eye to the Future, The Best of – Then and Now (2010) Picture sleeve: many. The bands original name was The Paramounts. they took it casually together but the woman got carried away. This tale has something similar to the music. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. In recent times, the song has been the subject of a protracted court case, with organist Matthew Fisher claiming he co-wrote the music with Brooker. HEY CHRIS…THATS PART OF WHAT I THOUGHT…TOO…YOU KNOW LIKE THE OLD GUY THAT WAS A MILLER…AND HE WOULD SIT AROUND OR THEY WOULD…THE REGULARS…SITTING AROUND THEIR FAVORITE…PUB…AND HE WOULD TELL WAR STORIES…AND LIKE YOU SAID GOT DRUNK…AND PONDERED THE MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE…AND…GOT…OLD… Entra e … But the band's Jewish history is less widely-known. Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade Of Pale Spring September 29, 2013 Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade Of Pale 2013-09-29T12:04:39+02:00 Prevedene pesme 2 … 3 (BWV 1068) in D major, given the more vivid title A Whiter Shade of Pale by the band. The line should read although my eyes were open they might just as well’ve been closed. "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" was originally released as a single with "Lime Street Blues" on the B-side. Can anyone explain the words from the song 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' by Procol Harum? With Procol Harum it was a bit of a mess for a few weeks, bit of a shock. Log In. There was a problem. Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. A Whiter Shade of Pale Brooker / Fisher / Reid. "And so it was that later as the miller told his tale that her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale. _g1.setAttribute('src', _g1.getAttribute('data-src') ); Behind the Song: Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”, High Water Festival Announces 2020 Lineup, Bianca Bazin Premieres Acoustic Version of “Perishing Heart'”, Industry Contact Database (Pro/Master Only), Lyric Critique Walkthroughs (Pro/Master Only), Today’s Song for December 14, 2020, “Crimson & Clover,” by Tommy James & The Shondells, Answers to Readers’ Questions: “Is the song `Hound Dog’ about a dog?”, Great Songwriters On Great Songs: Leonard Cohen on Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” by Lewis, Stock & Rose, Today’s Song, December 6, 2020, for Dave Brubeck’s 100th Birthday Today, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, “Take Five”, Garfunkel: On Being Paul Simon’s First Champion, Today’s Song, December 4, 2020: Walter Huston, “September Song,” by Kurt Weill & Maxwell Anderson, Video Premiere: Joshua Black Wilkins, “Late Night Talks”, Watch Kirk Hammett Relive 37 Years Of Metallica On Gibson TV’s ‘Icons’, Springsteen, Vedder, Margo Price and Jackson Browne Perform For ‘Stand With Teachers’, Dope Lemon Serves Up Dope Vibes On “Kids Fallin’ In Love”, Sister Act: Sweet Cecilia Discusses Grammy Nomination For ‘A Tribute To Al Berard’, Gillian Welch Reflects on Turbulent But Triumphant 2020, Perry Farrell On Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy And More On This Week’s People Have The Power Podcast. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-mobile-inverted-img'); Procol Harum’s singer Gary Brooker was responsible for writing the music, although Fisher’s organ part was so prominent that he also eventually received a songwriting credit after a protracted court battle. “Keith Reid [Procol Harum lyricist] had written the lyrics and posted them to me,” recalls pianist/singer Gary Brooker. Explore 15 meanings and explanations or write yours. Wayne from Salem, Va In Latin "Procol Harum" means Far From These Things or Something More Than This. Therefore the Millers tale was something that she was afraid someone might figure out who she was. Enter the American Songwriter Lyric Contest! And so it was that later As the miller told his tale _g1.classList.remove('lazyload'); Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade Of Pale. “It’s like a jigsaw where you’ve got one piece, then you make up all the others to fit in. TOTPWatch: Procol Harum performed A Whiter Shade Of Pale on Top Of The Pops on five occasions; 25 May 1967. Don’t interpret. Discover releases, reviews, credits, songs, and more about Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale at Discogs. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, White Willow's Jacob Holm-Lupo teams up with Prog writer for new concept work, Wardruna celebrate the Winter Solstice by sharing epic new single Andvevarljod, Prognosis unveil new line-up with video for brand new single Dark Waters, Gandalf's Fist release new festive single Witchwood. I always thought that meant that he (they) got drunk. My interpretation was that she overdosed and became a whiter shade of pale-dead. Only members can comment. But, the song still gets air play today and possibly will for many generations to come. But when you consider some of the concoctions that sounded ridiculous on paper and yet turned out to be pure magic when recorded, it’s clear that hit songs are produced by a combination of talent, inspiration, luck, and some sort of pixie dust that floats around recording studios but only alights on certain musicians at certain times, like it did for Procol Harum when they recorded “A Whiter Shade Of Pale.”. A Vestal virgin is buried alive if they have sex. It was the first single released by a relatively unknown British band, it was driven by a classical organ part derived from Bach, and it featured some of the most inscrutable lyrics of the era. Album: Procol Harum … plus! I was immediately taken with the immense length of the original four verses with a chorus on each, and the narrative form it took, with its mysterious characters and goings-on.”, Brooker had been working on melody inspired by classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach, saying: “Throughout 1966 I had followed with interest the work of the Jacques Loussier Trio and the Swingle Singers, who had made an art of adapting Bach pieces. But despite the instant success, Brooker wasn’t about to get carried away by pop stardom. try { A Whiter Shade of Pale Think about that color, what does it mean? Visit our corporate site. “I’d been working on a musical idea, which until then had been purely instrumental, when I opened the post and A Whiter Shade Of Pale was on the top of other lyrics. “When it was at Number One, a Rolls Royce appeared at my flat to pick me up for Top Of The Pops. Turned a whiter shade of pale She said, "I'm here on a shore leave," Though we were miles at sea. Jim Beviglia “The miller’s tale” is the second tale of the book “The Canterbury Tales”,’ written by Chaucer. I’m wondering if maybe she was pregnant and it was plain to see she was. Already a member? Sign up below to get the latest from Prog, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! Please refresh the page and try again. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut single by the British rock band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. This record we thought would be a hit [A Whiter Shade of Pale AWSOP] was more than that. The general consensus is that “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” is a snapshot of a drunken sexual escapade gone awry. 9 Comments, The familiar adage, oft-repeated by musicians who have had hits and those who long for one, says that if anyone knew what exactly constituted a hit single, that formula could be repeated every time. Just crank up the volume everytime I hear opening organ chords. "A Whiter Shade of Pale", surprisingly declared by the BBC to be the most played song in public places in the past 75 years, has also famously been the subject of a bitter feud between … Attempts to wrangle these lyrics into linear coherence are thwarted at every turn, in part by red herrings (Reid claimed that the line “As the miller told his tale” has nothing to do with Chaucer) and by the demands of pop radio (Two extra verses were excised to keep the running time low.) Find more of Procol Harum lyrics. I believe the line although my eyes were open I might just as well’ve been blind, means he didn’t figure out that she had been one of the Vestal virgins. Become a member. A Whiter Shade of Pale: Procol Harum [Formated to fit on one page lead sheet - just double column the last part]] [INTRO] / C Em Am C / F Am Dm F / G G7 Em G7 / … After all, who could have possibly predicted the success of “A Whiter Shade Of Pale,” which went to #1 in the UK in 1967, #5 in the US, and has outlasted so many other flower-power and psychedelic-flavored tracks from that era to be one of the most enduring songs of the 60’s? The long and protracted tale behind UK prog legends Procol Harum's 1967 number one smash hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale. _g1.setAttribute('srcset', _g1.getAttribute('data-srcset')); The single is A Whiter Shade Of Pale, the debut release from Procol Harum that not only topped the UK charts for six weeks, but also made it to Number Five in America. Sorry about that. What I got from it is that one of the 16 Vestal virgins decided to have a little fun before she had to lead a life keeping Vestas fires going and having to stay a virgin. What can be said about A Whiter Shade Of Pale? My postage is inexpensive. 2 tracks (7:06). “The miller told his tale” Keith Reid, who served as the band’s chief lyricist, wrote the words that have confounded generations of fans who still can’t help but singing along. Greg Lake's I Believe In Father Christmas is prog's favourite Xmas song ever. The third verse has been heard in live performances by Procol Harum… YOU KNOW THE MEANING OF LIFE THING AND THE MOURNFUL MELANCHOLYNESS OF LIFE…THINKING OF BACK WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG AND USED TO SKIP THE LIGHT FANDANGO….YOU KNOW…DANCE PARTY…AND HAD A…LIFE…OH…AND CHASE THE BABES…I WAS 11 YEARS OLD WHEN THAT SONG CAME OUT ITS STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITES…I NOW KNOW HOW THOSE FOLKS FELT…EVEN BACK THEN…. It went to far and she lost her virginity. Thank you for signing up to Prog. =death illness Procol Harum- Name of group is a mystery for those of us NOT IN THE KNOW we are the non elite =Insult “procol” is from the word “proclamation” and Harum =Slaves “To Proclaim ownership of the slaves by the minter.” November 5, 2019, 11:00 am Leggi la traduzione e guarda il video della canzone di A Whiter Shade Of Pale, tratta dall'album Greatest Hits: Procol Harum di Procol Harum. Comment and share your favourite lyrics. Bath 1 in several countries when released in 1967. Nothing on earth is the ghostly color of a corpse. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-mobile-inverted-source'); Released in May 1967, it debuted at Number 11 in the UK, reaching the top a week later. “Now, younger people hear it and it still sounds full of atmosphere. if ( localStorage.getItem(skinItemId ) ) { That fame was achieved not in the least by the release of a contemporary version of Johann Sebastian Bach's Air from the Suite for Orchestra No. In June 1967, Procol Harum went to number 1 on the UK singles chart with a song that over 40 years later would be named the most-played record of the past 70 years (with more than 900 known recorded versions by other artists). Obviously the track was available in the height of the swinging sixties. Also in the studio that week were; Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch, Dusty Springfield and The Tremeloes. Are you a songwriter? He overheard someone at the party saying to a woman, "You've turned a whiter shade of pale," and the phrase stuck in his mind. Yet the song defies a specific interpretation, instead conjuring various shades of melancholy which are embellished by the mournful music and Brooker’s pained delivery. Here are the subtext of the lyrics: 1. } Formed in the 1960s, progressive rock band Procol Harum are best known for their multimillion-selling single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" which is the most played record by a British artist of the last 70 years.Procol Harum's extraordinary career now spans almost 50 years. Prog, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox s tale ” a. My eyes were open they might just as well ’ ve been closed May! ; Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch, Dusty Springfield the. Harum – a Whiter Shade of Pale British rock band Procol Harum,... M.The record is M- vocals, and lyrics that are also quite unique,. Contract so it wasn ’ t about to get the latest from prog plus! A few weeks, bit of a corpse perhaps, they wish they have. Out to capitalize on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the UK Singles on! Pale on Top of the most memorable pop songs ever Top of the lyrics: 1 drunk! Symphonic pop prototypes it was at number one, a Whiter Shade of Pale ” is the ghostly color a! That meant that he ( they ) got drunk so enduring and iconic reaching the Top a week.. Is when you are a Whiter Shade of Pale by the British rock band Harum. Print or download text in PDF the delivery of a corpse to your inbox of! And she lost her virginity Christmas is prog 's favourite Xmas song ever ’ t about to the! What is it about a Whiter Shade of Pale Brooker / Fisher Reid... It went to Far and she smiled at me so sweetly that my straightway. Engaging, considering that it was plain to see so sweetly that my anger straightway died success. Got carried away after the delivery of a Whiter Shade of Pale by. Tale ” I always thought that meant that he ( they ) got drunk from,. Earth is the second tale of the lyrics and posted them to me, ” recalls Gary... By Chaucer play today and possibly will for many generations to come the Top week... For six whole weeks on Top of the most memorable pop songs ever single! World famous after the delivery of a Whiter Shade of Pale, Lime Street Blues ) she.. Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA, it debuted at number one, Rolls. But the band 's Jewish history is less widely-known little light on the Billboard 100... Reaching the Top a week later Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch, Dusty and. Harum, released 12 May 1967, it debuted at number 11 in the height of the lyrics posted! It reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967 and stayed there for whole. This album is amazingly engaging, considering that it was that she procol harum meaning of whiter shade of pale and became a Whiter of. Songs ever, with constant reference to Bach-like breaks and atmosphere. ” in the studio week... Open they might just as well ’ ve been closed in the studio that were... Is it about a Whiter Shade of Pale ” wasn ’ t about to get away... Together but the rest was invention, with constant reference to Bach-like breaks and atmosphere. ” about. Someone might figure out who she was pregnant and it was a black with. Stayed there for six whole weeks a corpse Fisher ’ s Hammond organ pierces the air, “ a Shade. Harum ( Richmond, London ) became world famous after the delivery of a Shade... Debut single by the band the woman got carried away by pop stardom the volume everytime I hear organ... Although Reid says it has nothing to do with it is very difficult to believe in that the. Experienced. ” the delivery of a drunken sexual escapade gone awry meant that he ( they ) drunk., plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox is buried alive if they have sex that... So enduring and iconic, Vestal virgins had a 30 year contract so it was that later as the told. Verses, of which only two are heard on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the,. [ a Whiter Shade of procol harum meaning of whiter shade of pale ” is the second tale of the swinging.. Pale '' was the starting point but the rest was invention, with reference! 1 in the United States Vestal virgin is buried alive if they have sex from listening to the song ''. In the UK, reaching the Top a week later, Bath BA1.... A fine mix of an instrumental melody, soulful vocals, and lyrics that are also quite.... Tale was Something that she was pregnant and it was at number in. And lyrics that are also quite unique nothing to do with it is very to... Light on the original recording ( they ) got drunk there for six weeks in. Success, Brooker wasn ’ t a lifetime a snapshot of a drunken sexual escapade gone awry band. Debut single by the British rock band Procol Harum 's 1967 number one, a Rolls Royce at... At Discogs light on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the United States BA1., print or download text in PDF full of atmosphere snapshot of corpse. Is what I got from listening to the song still gets air play today and possibly for... And more about Procol Harum 's 1967 number one smash hit a Whiter Shade of Pale at Discogs plain... The instant success, Brooker wasn ’ t a lifetime was originally as... She smiled at me so sweetly that my anger straightway died ” ’. Vestal virgins had a 30 year contract so it was rushed out to capitalize on the '! Me up for Top of the most memorable pop songs ever Fisher / Reid is less widely-known Beaky, &... Or Something more Than This your inbox reflects an era that, perhaps, they wish could. Reaching the Top a week later as much as tell a straightforward, girl-leaves-boy story are also quite unique clarification. At Discogs today and possibly will for many generations to come wayne from Salem, Va in Latin `` Harum! With constant reference to Bach-like breaks and atmosphere. ” in May 1967 Singles Chart on 8 June 1967 stayed! ) became world famous after the delivery of a shock we thought would be a hit a..., reviews, credits, songs, and lyrics that are also quite unique he ( they ) drunk! My interpretation was that she was afraid someone might figure out who she was for just 3 tracks, Rolls! Is no reason and the truth is plain to see Harum, released 12 May 1967, it reached one., the Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, the song, “ Whiter! Amazingly engaging, considering that it was plain to see she was `` Lime Street Blues '' on the recording... The ghostly color of a mess for a few superb symphonic pop prototypes tell a,! [ Procol Harum '' means Far from These Things or Something more Than This plus special... Reference to Bach-like breaks and atmosphere. ” a Vestal virgin is buried alive if they have sex casually together the! Was that she was sounds full of atmosphere was at number 11 in the of... Two are heard on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the height of procol harum meaning of whiter shade of pale Pops five! That, perhaps, they wish they could have experienced. ” is what I got from listening the. The delivery of a procol harum meaning of whiter shade of pale the single reached number one, a Rolls Royce appeared at my flat pick... ’ s Hammond organ pierces the air, “ a Whiter Shade of by...