Procol Harum’s ’67 “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” Performance Will Take You Way Back

Paler Than Pale

Performing hit “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” in 1967, Procol Harum video will really take you back to simpler times that just make sense, with one of the greatest slow rock ballads of the 60’s.

“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…”

Written by lyricist Keith Reed, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” sought out to tell a synchronized story about a relationship that pulls you in, like putting pieces of a puzzle together to create a full thought and meaningful account. Apparently the idea came to him while attending a party as he felt inspired to piece together the song starting with the title.

Interesting Quote: “What is a hit? I think that any song that’s going to immediately capture people and stay with them for a bit. What happens with a song that becomes a hit is that people want to hear it again, they’ve got to hear it again. Therefore, that requires what we call ‘hooks,’ doesn’t it? And hooks can be all sorts of things, they can be just a little turnaround in the song. Often the people that aren’t musicians, the producers and the people at record companies, are the ones that pick up on what is the hook.” – Gary Brooker

Having shared a more recent performance of this song as Procol Harum’s only original member left Gary Brooker serenaded a crowd with the classic, we figured it would be fun to bring you back to black and white, when things were just easier. Performing their endless and unforgettable ballad, Procol Harum! Enjoy!

+ A Whiter Shade Of Pale Lyrics +

We skipped the light fandango
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 well’ve 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

And so it was that later