A Whiter Shade of Pale is a song by the British band Procol Harum. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart[1] on 8 June 1967, and stayed there for six weeks.
The song was included on the original US release of the Procol Harum album, but not on the UK version.
With its haunting tonality and Bach flavouring (both provided by Hammond organist Matthew Fisher), vocals by Gary Brooker, and unusual lyrics by Keith Reid, A Whiter Shade of Pale reached #1 in several countries when released in 1967.
In the years since, it has become an enduring classic. In 2004, the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited named it the most-played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years.[2] More than 800 recorded cover versions by other artists are known.[3]
Turned cartwheels cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
But 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
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as wellve been closed
She said, Im 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
