I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
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
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
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
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
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
Lyrics submitted by Psycho_pr, edited by Mellow_Harsher, CrimsonApostle, george1037, LoriLmi
A Whiter Shade of Pale Lyrics as written by Keith Reid Gary Brooker
Lyrics © Onward Music Limited
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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If I had to guess he was playing a bar while tripping. They gave it all they had to give but the crowd called out for more. The room was humming harder. Bud that's describes acid to a T. And the rest is where your head go's on psychedelics. Seemingly profound stuff that make's infinite sense until the next day. It still sounds pretty so why not leave it.
It does sound like acid, and playing a gig on it. I don't agree that it doesn't make sense, though. The first reply up above seems to have presented a fairly cogent interpretation. Who knows?
Yes, yes, acidy indeed.
@q1605 I'd say after getting drunk she turns from looking bad to looking alright. Acid, tripping I don't think plays into it
@q1605 Yeah! The First time i listened to the song, the lyrics describe a pretty intense acid trip, but i can see\r\nWhy It can be about the Titanic as well, the beuaty of the song is that It sounds like It is about your surrender, the kind\'a surrender that comes with the beuatiful epifanies about life shown to you by psychedelic\'s or the surrender to your fate having boarded the titanic.\r\n