Released in 1967, this iconic song is best known for it’s classic Hammond Organ sound played by Matthew Fisher, grinding and groaning throughout the song. What a great sound! Always evokes feelings of nostalgia of the bygone era of the Hippie movement and Flower Power. Lead singer Gary Brooker passed away on 19 February 2022. RIP Gary, thank you for the music!
Watch this wonderful orchestral live performance by Gary Brooker in 2006.
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Procol Harem
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
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 just as well 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
Turned a whiter shade of pale
Songwriter(s): Gary Brooker / Keith Reid / Matthew Fisher