A Whiter Shade of Pale is one of the most iconic songs in rock history. Released in 1967 by the English rock band Procol Harum, it is considered one of the most influential songs from the psychedelic era of the 1960s.
The Song
A Whiter Shade of Pale features dreamy, poetic lyrics set to Baroque-inspired organ and guitar melodies. The song title is derived from the lyric “she turned her face away from the weeds and looked down in the dark water, slowly robbed of light…”. This evocative imagery contributed to the song’s mystical, psychedelic vibe.
The organ melody in A Whiter Shade of Pale borrows from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, giving the song its classical Baroque flavor. The instantly recognizable organ riff is one of the most famous in rock history.
Upon its release, A Whiter Shade of Pale became a massive hit, reaching #1 on the charts in several countries. It is considered Proto-Prog and one of the first songs to bridge pop and progressive rock. The single sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling singles ever.
The Writing of the Song
The lyrics to A Whiter Shade of Pale were written by Keith Reid, who was inspired by Chaucer’s 14th century poem The Miller’s Tale. In particular, the opening line “We skipped the light fandango” is a reference to The Miller’s Tale and its “fandango” dancing.
Reid gave the lyrics to Gary Brooker, the lead singer and pianist of Procol Harum. Brooker then composed the music, including the famous Bach-influenced organ part played by Matthew Fisher.
In writing the music, Brooker has stated he was influenced by his classical background, Bob Dylan, blues music, R&B, and more. The collaboration between Reid’s evocative lyrics and Brooker’s melodic, multi-genre composition created the unique soundscape of A Whiter Shade of Pale.
Here is a summary of the main writers of A Whiter Shade of Pale:
| Writer | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Keith Reid | Lyrics |
| Gary Brooker | Music composition, vocals |
| Matthew Fisher | Organ melody |
While Reid wrote the lyrics and Brooker composed the music, Fisher’s organ melody is considered an integral part of the song. His contribution was significant enough that he legally fought for and obtained songwriting royalties for his famous organ part.
The Recording
A Whiter Shade of Pale was recorded in a single session on March 16, 1967 at Olympic Studios in London. The session was produced by Denny Cordell.
The musicians on that historic recording session were:
- Gary Brooker – vocals, piano
- Matthew Fisher – organ
- Dave Knights – bass
- Ray Royer – drums
- Keith Reid – backing vocals
Fisher’s organ melody was overdubbed after the initial recording. The mono single version highlights this melody, panned entirely to one channel.
The song was completed very quickly – it was mostly written, rehearsed and recorded all in the span of just a few days. This spontaneity contributed to its fresh, inspired sound.
Release and Reception
A Whiter Shade of Pale was released on May 12, 1967 in the UK on Deram Records. It entered the charts on May 25th and reached #1 on June 8th, staying at the top for 6 weeks. It was a similar chart smash around Europe.
In the US, a shorter edited version was released in July 1967. It reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Critically, A Whiter Shade of Pale was immediately recognized as a groundbreaking, genre-defining track. Its blending of rock, pop and classical music was revolutionary. The song is regarded as a Prog Rock milestone and one of the pioneering tracks of the psychedelic era.
A Whiter Shade of Pale won the Best British Pop Single category at the 1967 Grammy Awards. It has placed highly in various “Best Songs Ever” lists by Rolling Stone, Mojo, and more.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included the song in their “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” exhibit. Time Magazine named it one of the “All-Time 100 Songs” in 2011.
Legacy
A Whiter Shade of Pale is truly one of the most influential songs in pop culture history. Its hypnotic Baroque melody is instantly recognizable. The cryptic, poetic lyrics are open to interpretation and have inspired endless debate about their meaning.
The song has been extensively covered by many artists in a variety of genres, from soul to punk to reggae. Notably, Annie Lennox’s 1995 version became a big hit as well.
The innovative fusion of rock, pop and classical music on A Whiter Shade of Pale paved the way for Prog Rock bands like King Crimson, Yes and Genesis. At the same time, it helped define the “Summer of Love” psychedelic music flowering in the late 1960s.
Over 50 years after its release, A Whiter Shade of Pale remains an eternal classic, still generating mystique and wonder with its enigmatic sound and lyrics. It is truly one of the most unique and unforgettable songs in pop music history.
Conclusion
A Whiter Shade of Pale was the product of three great musical minds: Keith Reid wrote the iconic lyrics, Gary Brooker composed the music and vocals, while Matthew Fisher created the classic organ melody. Together, their talents fused to create a psychedelic Baroque pop masterpiece that became a huge international hit in 1967.
The song is considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential tracks of the 1960s. Its melding of rock, pop and classical genres inspired the birth of Prog Rock. A Whiter Shade of Pale is still revered today as an eternal classic and one of the finest songs ever recorded.
