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Procol Harum
About A Whiter Shade of Pale
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut single by the British rock band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The single reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967 and stayed there for six weeks. Without much promotion, it reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. One of the anthems of the 1967 Summer of Love, it is one of the best selling singles in history, having sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. With its Bach-derived instrumental melody, soulful vocals, and unusual lyrics – by the song's co-authors Gary Brooker, Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher – "A Whiter Shade of Pale" reached number 1 in many countries when released in 1967. In the years since, it has become an enduring classic. It was the most played song in the last 75 years in public places in the UK (as of 2009), and the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited in 2004 recognised it as the most-played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years. Also in 2004, Rolling Stone placed "A Whiter Shade of Pale" 57th on its list of the "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".more »
- Year:
- 1973
- 4:03
- 172Views
- Playlists:
- #2
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Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
We skipped the light fandangoTurned cartwheels 'cross the floorI was feeling kinda seasickBut the crowd called out for moreThe room was humming harderAs the ceiling flew awayWhen we called out for another drinkThe waiter brought a trayAnd so it was that laterAs the miller told his taleThat her face, at first just ghostlyTurned a whiter shade of paleShe said, 'There is no reason'And the truth is plain to seeBut I wandered through my playing cardsAnd would not let her beOne of sixteen vestal virginsWho were leaving for the coastAnd although my eyes were openThey might have just as well've been closedAnd so it was that laterAs the miller told his taleThat her face, at first just ghostlyTurned a whiter shade of paleAnd so it was that later
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Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Although noted for its baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music also embraces the blues, R&B and soul. In October 2012, the band were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. more »
6 fans
Genre »
Rock
Style »
Prog Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Sheet Music PDF Playlist
Written by: Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher
Lyrics © T.R.O. INC., Onward Music Limited
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Release"A Whiter Shade of Pale" was originally released by the British rock band "Procol Harum" in 1967. |
Annie Lennox's VersionAnnie Lennox, the former lead singer of the Eurythmics, covered the song in 1995 and released it in her album "Medusa". |
Song SuccessProcol Harum's version became an instant hit, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart and stayed top for six weeks. |
Global RecognitionThe song is one of fewer than 30 singles that have sold 10 million (or more) copies worldwide. |
Procol Harum's Debut Single"A Whiter Shade of Pale" was debut single of Procol Harum. |
Songwriting CreditsThe song was written by Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, and Matthew Fisher. |
LawsuitIn 2006, former Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher won a lawsuit in the U.K. for a share of royalties from the song, as he claimed he co-wrote the music. |
Notable Cover VersionsBesides Annie Lennox, the song has been covered by numerous other artists including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Tyler, and Sarah Brightman. |
Classic StatusIn 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, with qualitative or historical significance. |
Annie Lennox's chart performanceLennox's version reached number two on the Italian singles chart, her version also charted in Canada, the U.K, and Belgium. |
Film and TVThe song has been used in numerous film and tv soundtracks, including "The Big Chill", "The Boat That Rocked", and "Withnail and I". |
InspirationThe song is often said to have been inspired by the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, specifically his Orchestral Suite Nº 3 in D Major. |
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