Procol Harum — A Whiter Shade Of Pale
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Length: 3:57
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We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
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
She said there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see
But I wandered through my playing cards
Would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might just as well have been closed
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
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
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
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
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
She said there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see
But I wandered through my playing cards
Would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might just as well have been closed
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
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
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
Comments (431)add comment
Ahhh, memories of road trips with the family keep coming back when I hear this. The late 60s early 70s were truly a magical time.
Always makes me think of the classic scene in the film "The Big Chill."
eyke wrote:
I've always assumed it was miller, with reference to Chaucer's The Miller's Tale.
milller? hell I aways thought it was the mirror that told the tale.
I've always assumed it was miller, with reference to Chaucer's The Miller's Tale.
Truly timeless.
GREAT TUNE! I was 12yrs old when this came out. I had no idea what the lyrics were. I do NOW. Thanx RP! 
When i was young, i was sure that if we smoked enough pot, we would understand what this song was about. We did smoke a lot. But we never did. Now at 70, I just smile and enjoy the B 3 organ, and the memories I can remember.
the voice...amazing.
I agree with so many comments on this one. A 10, a masterpiece of joy and sadness, that brings an awe inspiring realization of our individual and shared experience, from where we came, to our present consciousness, and that it is all so fleeting for us all, and yet so omnipresent….ppffffffaahhhh!…Wow now that was a great toke!
kingart wrote:
RIP. I love this song.
March 29, 2023
Keith Reid, Procol Harum Lyricist and ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ Co-Writer, Dies at 76
https://tinyurl.com/2p9mk4ww
RIP. I love this song.
All time classic number 10 nuff said
sfoster66 wrote:
yes.
makes me cry. love it.
That, after all this time, this song can still give me goosebumps and bring every deep dark joy and sadness out of my soul...well, that's a 10. No debate.
yes.
makes me cry. love it.
March 29, 2023
Keith Reid, Procol Harum Lyricist and ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ Co-Writer, Dies at 76 https://tinyurl.com/2p9mk4ww
Keith Reid, Procol Harum Lyricist and ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ Co-Writer, Dies at 76 https://tinyurl.com/2p9mk4ww
That, after all this time, this song can still give me goosebumps and bring every deep dark joy and sadness out of my soul...well, that's a 10. No debate.
Amazing how a piece of music can instantly trigger a very strong mental image..in my case my boarding school bedroom in 1967. What days to be 17!!
OMG ... what a wonderful track, what a wonderful time to be alive.
This gets me every time. ☮️ ❤️
Thank you Bill
This gets me every time. ☮️ ❤️
Thank you Bill
AhhtheMusic wrote:
Another classic that when I hear it I simply sink into peace and memory and comfort. Thank you for keeping this wonderful music in my life.
vanillagorilla wrote:
Jimmy Rabbitte: [pretending to be Terry Wogan] So, lookin' back, Jimmy, what have you learned from your experience with The Commitments?
Jimmy Rabbitte: Well, that's a tricky question, Terry. But as I always say, we skipped the light fandango, turned cartweels 'cross the floor. I was feelin' kinda seasick, but the crowd called out for more.
Jimmy Rabbitte: [pretending to be Terry Wogan] That's very profound Jimmy! What does it mean?
Jimmy Rabbitte: I'm fucked if I know, Terry!
Remember the movie "the commitments" when the dude played this on the pipe organ in the church...i've always wanted to hear someone rip out this divine melody live at Westminister Abbey or something...goosebumps
Jimmy Rabbitte: [pretending to be Terry Wogan] So, lookin' back, Jimmy, what have you learned from your experience with The Commitments?
Jimmy Rabbitte: Well, that's a tricky question, Terry. But as I always say, we skipped the light fandango, turned cartweels 'cross the floor. I was feelin' kinda seasick, but the crowd called out for more.
Jimmy Rabbitte: [pretending to be Terry Wogan] That's very profound Jimmy! What does it mean?
Jimmy Rabbitte: I'm fucked if I know, Terry!
Anyone else seeing a pirate radio boat slowly sinking?
So. Damn. Good.
That takes me right back to where I was when I first heard it. It was a trip then, and still is. Instant 10!
That opening verse:
"We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray"
When I first heard it, I coded it as psychedelic. I didn't have much "experience" then, but later I came to see it as a mescaline trip--"I was feeling kinda seasick"--the wave of nausea one gets just before getting off? Of course, they were drinking (the waiter brought another tray) but some do both when they are young. :-)
Then there's the line "the ceiling flew away"--suggests there is more than just alcohol in the mix, wouldn't you say?
That opening verse:
"We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray"
When I first heard it, I coded it as psychedelic. I didn't have much "experience" then, but later I came to see it as a mescaline trip--"I was feeling kinda seasick"--the wave of nausea one gets just before getting off? Of course, they were drinking (the waiter brought another tray) but some do both when they are young. :-)
Then there's the line "the ceiling flew away"--suggests there is more than just alcohol in the mix, wouldn't you say?
An amazing song that still gives me chills when I listen. One of the top 100 songs ever!
You're already missed, Gary Brooker.
This tune is a significant waypoint in my musical memories.
Oh, man!
To be that age again, and know what I know now... :-D
This tune is a significant waypoint in my musical memories.
Oh, man!
To be that age again, and know what I know now... :-D
PLEASE PLAY THIS TUNE MORE OFTEN!! Thank You!!
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!
vanillagorilla wrote:
One of my favorite movies, both for content and music. Their version of Mustang Sally - epic
Remember the movie "the commitments" when the dude played this on the pipe organ in the church...i've always wanted to hear someone rip out this divine melody live at Westminister Abbey or something...goosebumps
One of my favorite movies, both for content and music. Their version of Mustang Sally - epic
milller? hell I aways thought it was the mirror that told the tale.
Cannot believe there isn't a single a comment on the true gem of a film that has this (well, a beautiful live cover by King Curtis) as a soundtrack: Withnail and I
If you haven't seen it, do yourselves a favour and watch this ASAP.
"We've gone on holiday by mistake!"
If you haven't seen it, do yourselves a favour and watch this ASAP.
"We've gone on holiday by mistake!"
I never really cared for this song. Thought it was overplayed, till I saw the movie Pirate Radio. Pretty good movie but now I'm sold It's really great song!
On_The_Beach wrote:
Too funny!
A whiter shade of ale:
Too funny!
A whiter shade of ale:
agent55317 wrote:
One of my great TV-viewing regrets is that I haven't been able to see all the episodes of this crazy-brilliant show. It was a tragedy when Rob Morrow left "Northern Exposure" to try his hand at movies. The show should have been able to adjust to that, but the writing went downhill during the final year.
I'm always taken back to a Northern Exposure episode where Chris Stevens performs a funeral by trebuchet to this tune.
One of my great TV-viewing regrets is that I haven't been able to see all the episodes of this crazy-brilliant show. It was a tragedy when Rob Morrow left "Northern Exposure" to try his hand at movies. The show should have been able to adjust to that, but the writing went downhill during the final year.
slandering wrote:
Yes, usually played at the end of the night and if you were lucky it was the opportunity to get a hold of your partner and maybe a kiss.
Of course at the time as young men what we really wanted the DJ was to play next was... Je T'aime.
C'mon BillG - you missed a segue here.
wet-kisses-on-the-dancefloor song
Yes, usually played at the end of the night and if you were lucky it was the opportunity to get a hold of your partner and maybe a kiss.
Of course at the time as young men what we really wanted the DJ was to play next was... Je T'aime.
C'mon BillG - you missed a segue here.
slandering wrote:
Exactly!
wet-kisses-on-the-dancefloor song
Exactly!
Remember the movie "the commitments" when the dude played this on the pipe organ in the church...i've always wanted to hear someone rip out this divine melody live at Westminister Abbey or something...goosebumps
Agree with previous comment of sublime
"Je t'aime! Oui, je t'aime!!"
My first thought. (OK that was a bad one, I know. Still, I can't help it.)
My first thought. (OK that was a bad one, I know. Still, I can't help it.)
Sublime!
Excuse me while I slip in to my time machine and read Steinbeck on the lawn chair in Clark NJ on a perfect dandelion day in July while this emits from WABC AM on my transistor radio.
Another classic that when I hear it I simply sink into peace and memory and comfort. Thank you for keeping this wonderful music in my life.
wet-kisses-on-the-dancefloor song
Better a Whiter Shade of Pale than Fifty Shades of Grey! LOL
Is there a button for "11"?
dramo wrote:
Nah, definitely part of its time, but no lesser for it. It's kinda become the quintessential late 60's song that summed up the incredible social changes the western world was undergoing at the time. Or something. Whatever, it's good to listen too, but isn't timeless.
Timeless!
Nah, definitely part of its time, but no lesser for it. It's kinda become the quintessential late 60's song that summed up the incredible social changes the western world was undergoing at the time. Or something. Whatever, it's good to listen too, but isn't timeless.
Timeless!
ScottN wrote:
Uhm, certainly not.
I believe the most covered 'rock' songs of all time might be "Yesterday" by the Beatles or "To Love Somebody" by the career-underrated Bee Gees.
Agreed, top 10 of all time!
Top Ten of ALL Time!
A 10, because I've loved it since I was 10.
I love the italian version, by Dik Dik "Senza Luce":
https://youtu.be/F6-GQwTKn40?list=PLpSgV8PHxyZjGvDRJSNwHcvHzHpO8n0ao
https://youtu.be/F6-GQwTKn40?list=PLpSgV8PHxyZjGvDRJSNwHcvHzHpO8n0ao
A timeless classic
I'm always taken back to a Northern Exposure episode where Chris Stevens performs a funeral by trebuchet to this tune.
raga wrote:
(just for the pleasure to repeat this comment)
How would be mankind without this song?
(just for the pleasure to repeat this comment)
Andreas L: " love it, but listen to the version of this song from DORO-German Heavy Metal Singer. This Woman is cool."
Please upload for consideration by the DJ. Danke schön.
Please upload for consideration by the DJ. Danke schön.
How would be mankind without this song?
pinem wrote:
Wow, great double-bill. I'm guessing the "Embryonic Eagles" were a hell of a lot more fun to watch live than the "stationary bloated egomaniacs" they later became.
As much as I love this song (10), I like 'Salty Dog' best; went to see this band in summer of '72', six weeks after I got married, but the opening band blew them out of the water- The Eagles
Wow, great double-bill. I'm guessing the "Embryonic Eagles" were a hell of a lot more fun to watch live than the "stationary bloated egomaniacs" they later became.
A great song but a far cry from Robin Trower's solo stuff which reminds me - it must just about be the day of the eagle
As much as I love this song (10), I like 'Salty Dog' best; went to see this band in summer of '72', six weeks after I got married, but the opening band blew them out of the water- The Eagles
afrixluvguy wrote:
The most covered song ever, I believe.
Uhm, certainly not.Immortal. This and Repent Walpurgis, also by PH, were my intro to "alternative" FM.
I find myself half listening, involved in some mundane routine when suddenly, Bill hits me with something like this. THIS is why I listen to RP. Thanks, Bill
The most covered song ever, I believe.
Très bonne musique, et que de souvenirs !!!!
Yes. Yes. So very nice....
jagdriver wrote:
I know that Paul Mccartney said this is one of the song he wished he had wrote
I can just envision John Winston O'Boogie Lennon listening to this repeatedly on the record player mounted in his chauffeur-driven, psychedelic Rolls on his way to party at His Majesty—Prince Jones' place, a.k.a., A.A. Milne's Cotchford Farm.
I know that Paul Mccartney said this is one of the song he wished he had wrote
I can just envision John Winston O'Boogie Lennon listening to this repeatedly on the record player mounted in his chauffeur-driven, psychedelic Rolls on his way to party at His Majesty—Prince Jones' place, a.k.a., A.A. Milne's Cotchford Farm.
Reading an inspection report and this song makes this chore bearable. Thanks, RP!
One of the things I most like about RP is the fact that it allows me to finally identify amazing old songs that I heard 1000 times. So this is Protocol Harum ...
woa, shades of mattress on the floor and underground FM. Was it really that long ago?
Timeless. We'll be listening to, and enjoying this in 2500. Or at least somebody will.
Dream song
What a nice song:-)
Thanks to wikipedia
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut song by the British rock band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967, and stayed there for six weeks. Without much promotion, it reached No. 5 on the US charts, as well. One of the anthems of the 1967 Summer of Love, it is one of fewer than 30 singles to have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
With its haunting Bach-derived instrumental melody, soulful vocals, and unusual lyrics—by the song's co-authors Gary Brooker,Keith Reid, and Matthew Fisher — "A Whiter Shade of Pale" reached No. 1 in several countries when released in 1967. In the years since, it has become an enduring classic. It was the most played song in the last 75 years in public places in the UK (as of 2009), and the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited in 2004 recognised it as the most-played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years. Also in 2004, Rolling Stone placed "A Whiter Shade of Pale" No. 57 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
kingart wrote:
That is called a predictability lull in my library playlist!
Who on the PLANET could follow Debussy with Procol Harum?
Thinking of sitting on the 1967 summer lawn in Clark NJ reading Steinbeck and listening to this on WABC. Everything was beautiful.
Thinking of sitting on the 1967 summer lawn in Clark NJ reading Steinbeck and listening to this on WABC. Everything was beautiful.
That is called a predictability lull in my library playlist!
Absolute classic - great vocal and organ playing.
Thanks to RP, this has been welded in my mind to the end of Air - Talisman. I think if Bill didn't play this after Air, I'd think there was something wrong with the song.
As an organ player myself, this is a great song to listen to.
As an organ player myself, this is a great song to listen to.
How I love that organ. Absolutely timeless.
Well! That was the shortest version I've ever heard.
Stingray wrote:
;) Glad to see you are still here and kicking!
12, of course!
And an incredible album (like all early Harum-stuff)
PS
23 "1-voters". What to do with them? Hot oil or tar and feathers?
;) Glad to see you are still here and kicking!
what a sound! ....nice job guys!
Last waltz at the Dance-Orama
angelomisterioso wrote:
It works!
Where else are you going to hear Debussy followed by Procol Harum. ð«
It works!
Classic!
Rather hear something else follow Debussy...than a tired and overrated song. Oh boy!
Where else are you going to hear Debussy followed by Procol Harum. ð«
12, of course!
And an incredible album (like all early Harum-stuff)
PS
23 "1-voters". What to do with them? Hot oil or tar and feathers?
Who on the PLANET could follow Debussy with Procol Harum?
Thinking of sitting on the 1967 summer lawn in Clark NJ reading Steinbeck and listening to this on WABC. Everything was beautiful.
Thinking of sitting on the 1967 summer lawn in Clark NJ reading Steinbeck and listening to this on WABC. Everything was beautiful.
A true classic....never tire of it.
Excellent tune (thanks, Bach), inane hippy lyrics... anything can pass for poetry these days - as long as it's vague enough someone will mistake it for wisdom.
ThePoose wrote:
So... that was YOU I was dancing with??
I remember more than one sweet young girl melting—figuratively and literally—as I held her and swayed to this tune at the end of the dance.
So... that was YOU I was dancing with??
What a classic!! 8>>9 
(Longer version in Pandora's Box)
(Longer version in Pandora's Box)
a special piece of music, though I flashbacked to a goofy kevin costner stoner flik called Fandango
Memories. A 100% classic. Very few songs remind me more strongly of my youthful summers. I don't know whether to be wistful or to jump for the freedom and joy of it all. Musically it's an 8, for all else it's a 20.
HEAVEN HERE I COME.
Cannot get enough of this song - original, covers - it is all good! Thanks RP! I have spent the better part of a whole day listening and learning.
Some pretty good music today on RP 
Ah memories......my older brother, who was a good musician, taught me the organ solo from this tune, back when the song was first played. recently i was in this organ/piano store, and remembered enough of the music to play it fairly well. surprised me big time, since i can't always remember what i had for lunch yesterday.
ccwcool wrote:
This was a standard at Detroit's Grande Ballroom (think SF Fillmore) during intermissions and such. I can never hear it without being instantly transported back there, before remnants of The Summer of Love faded forever after Altamont and such.
Brings me back to being an 8 year old boy laying on the floor listening to CKLW on my transistor radio and being mesmerized by this incredible song.
This was a standard at Detroit's Grande Ballroom (think SF Fillmore) during intermissions and such. I can never hear it without being instantly transported back there, before remnants of The Summer of Love faded forever after Altamont and such.
Stratocaster wrote:
I daresay you are outnumbered by a factor of approximately 101,688 to 1.
I suggest a good detox, a hard shake of the head, and a complete re-evaluation of your value system.
I'm not sure what sort of calculations you employed to arrive at that factor, but I daresay it needs "re-evaluation" - there are less than 1,600 votes on this song. I like this tune, personally, but I can also understand how some might find it tiresome and/or dated. I usually don't agree with that poster's tastes, but just because someone's tastes to not correspond with those of the masses does not mean that those tastes require the therapies you prescribe above. Most of the music I like is not embraced (or even known) by the majority of the population - in general, the most popular music is not the best music - it is often the opposite.
I daresay you are outnumbered by a factor of approximately 101,688 to 1.
I suggest a good detox, a hard shake of the head, and a complete re-evaluation of your value system.
I'm not sure what sort of calculations you employed to arrive at that factor, but I daresay it needs "re-evaluation" - there are less than 1,600 votes on this song. I like this tune, personally, but I can also understand how some might find it tiresome and/or dated. I usually don't agree with that poster's tastes, but just because someone's tastes to not correspond with those of the masses does not mean that those tastes require the therapies you prescribe above. Most of the music I like is not embraced (or even known) by the majority of the population - in general, the most popular music is not the best music - it is often the opposite.
First time I ever danced slow was to Whiter Shade of Pale. 10th grade. 1967. Last school dance before the summer vacation. Exams over with. Steamy hot — inside and out. The dj must have played W.S. o P. 20 times that night. Who minded? Least of all — who cared they were singing about sea-sickness!! Who noticed?
A Shiter Pade of Whale - still love it after all these decades.....
Stratocaster wrote:
I daresay you are outnumbered by a factor of approximately 101,688 to 1.
I suggest a good detox, a hard shake of the head, and a complete re-evaluation of your value system.
Lolz... : )
I daresay you are outnumbered by a factor of approximately 101,688 to 1.
I suggest a good detox, a hard shake of the head, and a complete re-evaluation of your value system.
Lolz... : )
johnjconn wrote:
I daresay you are outnumbered by a factor of approximately 101,688 to 1.
I suggest a good detox, a hard shake of the head, and a complete re-evaluation of your value system.
Dated
Boring
Tired
Weak
Give it a 4
Boring
Tired
Weak
Give it a 4
I daresay you are outnumbered by a factor of approximately 101,688 to 1.
I suggest a good detox, a hard shake of the head, and a complete re-evaluation of your value system.
Brings me back to being an 8 year old boy laying on the floor listening to CKLW on my transistor radio and being mesmerized by this incredible song.
to me. . .timeless!
Good for the ears and what's between 'em.
terrapin52 wrote:
You should've seen Bach live! I saw him at the Fillmore in 1734, awesome!
I loved it when J.S. Bach did a cover of this Procol Harum tune.
You should've seen Bach live! I saw him at the Fillmore in 1734, awesome!
This song and group defines the 60's for me. Along with Janis, Jimmy, Beatles, Animals....
Well, one of them anyway. Still a defining tune in the history of music.
Well, one of them anyway. Still a defining tune in the history of music.
One of our very favorite songs — and thank you RadioParadise for pairing four of the tirebiter.com/beauty images with this one!
I loved it when J.S. Bach did a cover of this Procol Harum tune.
Easily one of the five greatest songs of all time. Hell, this could be two of the five greatest songs of all time.
There's are a couple cool "extra" verses that they have done live, apparently. Beautiful lyrics all.
She said, 'I'm home on shore leave,'
though in truth we were at sea
so I took her by the looking glass
and forced her to agree
saying, 'You must be the mermaid
who took Neptune for a ride.'
But she smiled at me so sadly
that my anger straightway died
There's are a couple cool "extra" verses that they have done live, apparently. Beautiful lyrics all.
She said, 'I'm home on shore leave,'
though in truth we were at sea
so I took her by the looking glass
and forced her to agree
saying, 'You must be the mermaid
who took Neptune for a ride.'
But she smiled at me so sadly
that my anger straightway died
If music be the food of love
then laughter is its queen
and likewise if behind is in front
then dirt in truth is clean
My mouth by then like cardboard
seemed to slip straight through my head
So we crash-dived straightway quickly
and attacked the ocean bed
kaybee wrote:
cheesemonger wrote:
the miller- as in the Miller's Tale in the Canterbury Tales. It's the bawdy followup to the Knight's tale of courtly love. When I read the Canterbury tales in high school, the Miller's Tale was omitted....
Gee, I wonder why. OK, so I'm having trouble imagining this very serious, dignified sounding song and the Chaucer's flatulence obsessed miller. All along I've had visions of Keith Reid having some type of Lewis Carroll/ Walrus and the Carpenter type thing going on here.
The more I hear this album, the more I gotta get it.
cheesemonger wrote:
the miller- as in the Miller's Tale in the Canterbury Tales. It's the bawdy followup to the Knight's tale of courtly love. When I read the Canterbury tales in high school, the Miller's Tale was omitted....
Gee, I wonder why. OK, so I'm having trouble imagining this very serious, dignified sounding song and the Chaucer's flatulence obsessed miller. All along I've had visions of Keith Reid having some type of Lewis Carroll/ Walrus and the Carpenter type thing going on here.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
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale
Now, about those Vestal Virgins, he begs the question "Tell me why?"
AndreasL wrote:
You must SERIOUSLY be seriously drunk!
DORO?
Classical white german trailor-park trash?
Her version - and the rest of her primitiv-metal -.
should be forbidden for those who know the original!
Doro - paaaah!!!!
I love it, but listen to the version of this song from DORO-German Heavy Metal Singer. This Woman is cool.
You must SERIOUSLY be seriously drunk!
DORO?
Classical white german trailor-park trash?
Her version - and the rest of her primitiv-metal -.
should be forbidden for those who know the original!
Doro - paaaah!!!!
As 10 as WSOP is - I recommend to play other songs from
this fantastic album - a clear 10 of it's own!
this fantastic album - a clear 10 of it's own!