Seeing a Whiter Shade of Pale

12 Jul

I have always been fascinated by Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale“. It is a song that takes me into a magical, dreamlike world where the atmosphere is slightly askew. In this world, a man and woman dance as the crowd cheers them on. When they are alone, he whispers something into her ear, and she suddenly leaves. What did he say? Was it his view of her future with him? Was it something she knew she must get away from? Whatever it was, it turned her cold as the blood drained from her face and made her run. After she leaves, he sits despondent until another woman enters his world. Unfortunately for him, the story repeats itself.

We skipped the light fandango

Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor

I was feeling kind of 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 turned ghostly

Turned a whiter shade of pale

She said there is no reason

And the truth is plain to see

That I wander 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 later

As the miller told his tale

That her face at first just ghostly

Turned a whiter shade of pale

6 Responses to “Seeing a Whiter Shade of Pale”

  1. campfireshadows July 12, 2012 at 13:30 #

    Pretty interesting my friend!

    • surroundedbyimbeciles July 12, 2012 at 19:15 #

      Thanks a lot.

      • paintlater July 12, 2012 at 22:12 #

        Love this song too, especially when Joe Cocker does it.

      • surroundedbyimbeciles July 13, 2012 at 01:26 #

        You know it’s a great song when it’s recorded by so many artists.

  2. Love & Lunchmeat July 13, 2012 at 13:22 #

    I’ve heard this song a million times, but I never knew what it was called… Is there other stuff also good, or was this song a fluke?

    • surroundedbyimbeciles July 13, 2012 at 14:52 #

      That was the only mainstream hit they had. Not exactly a one hit wonder, but it was close. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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