Lyric Meaning of: A Whiter Shade of Pale, by Procol Harum | General Arranger Keyboard Forum (2024)

I love the classic sixties Procul Harum song "A Whiter Shade of Pale", and even though I'm a vocalist, I primarily only perform it as an instrumental (utilizing the Yamaha Tyros "Organ Ballad Style"), as I don't really comprehend the 'meaning' of the lyrics. Do the lyrics possibly reflect some kind of 60's drug(?) culture metaphor? I'm hoping someone here might possibly provide some background and insight to the meaning of the title & lyrics? Thanks - Scott

A Whiter Shade of Pale, by Procul Harum

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 just have 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.

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.lasso?id=1131

Scott,

Take a look at the main author's explanation: http://www.procolharum.com/99/awsop_vulture.htm (1st section)
and also at the discussion: http://www.procolharum.com/awsoplyrics.htm

I also read that the other official lyrics author, Gary Brooker, gave an interview once, saying that the title means nothing, just a good sounding combination of words.

-- José.

Cam8neel & José: Many thanks for providing the insight web links. It seems to lead back to what I initially suspected: that the lyrics resulted from some kind of psychedellic experience, kind of like MacArthur Park (same era).

btw: On this topic of trying to figure out the meaning of things, if you don't mind me asking, what does 'Cam8neel' stand for? Just curious, - Scott

Anyone recall the scene from "Meet the parents" when Robert De Niro finds out what his all time favorite song "Puff the Magic Dragon" really is all about...

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Roy-Andrè

and I thought my english was bad being french-canadian because i couldn't make sense of those lyrics. I guess it was the psychedelic era and not me

Simon