A Whiter Shade Of Pale

The song 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' by Procol Harum, released in 1967, is a classic that has captivated audiences for decades with its enigmatic lyrics and haunting melody. The song is known for its baroque-inspired organ riff and soulful vocals, which contribute to its timeless and ethereal quality. The lyrics, rich with imagery and metaphor, have been a subject of much interpretation and speculation over the years.

The opening lines, 'We skipped the light fandango / Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor,' evoke a sense of whimsicality and abandon, suggesting a scene of dance and revelry. The narrator's feeling 'kinda seasick' and the crowd's demand for more entertainment could be metaphors for the disorienting effects of love or perhaps the excesses of the 1960s counterculture. The imagery of the room humming and the ceiling flying away further adds to the surreal and dreamlike atmosphere of the song.

The chorus, where 'her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale,' is particularly evocative and has been widely interpreted. Some suggest it reflects the emotional transformation of a woman overwhelmed by the narrator's advances or the intensity of the situation. The reference to 'sixteen vestal virgins' and the narrator's eyes being 'open' but as if 'closed' could symbolize innocence and the willful ignorance or blindness to the realities of the situation. The song's abstract nature allows listeners to project their own experiences and emotions onto it, making it a personal and profound piece for many.