Reid got the title and starting point for the song at a party. He overheard someone at the party saying to a woman, "You've turned a whiter shade of pale," and the phrase stuck in his mind. The original lyrics had four verses, of which only two are heard on the original recording. The third verse has been heard in live performances by Procol Harum, and more seldom also the fourth. The author of Procol Harum: beyond the pale, Claes Johansen, suggests that the song "deals in metaphorical form with a male/female relationship which after some negotiation ends in a sexual act." This is supported by Tim de Lisle in Lives of the Great Songs, who remarks that the lyrics concern a drunken seduction, which is described through references to sex as a form of travel, usually nautical, using mythical and literary journeys. Other observers have also commented that the lyrics concern a sexual relationship.
Structurally and thematically, the song is unusual in many respects. While the recorded version is 4:03 long, it is composed of only two verses, each with chorus. The piece is also more instrument-driven than most songs of the period, and with a much looser rhyme scheme. Its unusually allusive and referential lyrics are much more complex than most lyrics of the time (for example, the chorus focuses on Chaucer's "The Miller's Tale"). Thus, this piece can be considered an early example of progressive rock.
Thanks, @MinisterOTruth, good question. Indeed, my comment wasn't original. This is a great song, worthy of honest, accurate, helpful analysis, which is what I discovered at Wiki and shared here. I'm glad this comment has risen to the top, but can't take credit for the thoughts.
Thanks, @MinisterOTruth, good question. Indeed, my comment wasn't original. This is a great song, worthy of honest, accurate, helpful analysis, which is what I discovered at Wiki and shared here. I'm glad this comment has risen to the top, but can't take credit for the thoughts.
@alanhu a lovely analysis and although correct where meaning is involved, where the technical aspects of the song are discussed there are flaws. The song is actually comprised of four verses. Though the final two are rarely ever heard... the fourth even more so than the third. I'd love to see a breakdown of them, mostly because a pair of lines in the third verse are nearly unintelligible to my ears.
@alanhu a lovely analysis and although correct where meaning is involved, where the technical aspects of the song are discussed there are flaws. The song is actually comprised of four verses. Though the final two are rarely ever heard... the fourth even more so than the third. I'd love to see a breakdown of them, mostly because a pair of lines in the third verse are nearly unintelligible to my ears.
Reid got the title and starting point for the song at a party. He overheard someone at the party saying to a woman, "You've turned a whiter shade of pale," and the phrase stuck in his mind. The original lyrics had four verses, of which only two are heard on the original recording. The third verse has been heard in live performances by Procol Harum, and more seldom also the fourth. The author of Procol Harum: beyond the pale, Claes Johansen, suggests that the song "deals in metaphorical form with a male/female relationship which after some negotiation ends in a sexual act." This is supported by Tim de Lisle in Lives of the Great Songs, who remarks that the lyrics concern a drunken seduction, which is described through references to sex as a form of travel, usually nautical, using mythical and literary journeys. Other observers have also commented that the lyrics concern a sexual relationship.
Structurally and thematically, the song is unusual in many respects. While the recorded version is 4:03 long, it is composed of only two verses, each with chorus. The piece is also more instrument-driven than most songs of the period, and with a much looser rhyme scheme. Its unusually allusive and referential lyrics are much more complex than most lyrics of the time (for example, the chorus focuses on Chaucer's "The Miller's Tale"). Thus, this piece can be considered an early example of progressive rock.
The phrase a whiter shade of pale has since gained widespread use in the English language, noticed by several dictionaries. As such, the phrase is today often used in contexts independent of any consideration of the song. It has also been heavily paraphrased, in forms like an Xer shade of Y -- this to the extent that it has been recognized as a snowclone — a type of cliché and phrasal template.
I like your interpretation. Makes a lot of sense.
I like your interpretation. Makes a lot of sense.
Which came first, this post or the identical one on Wikipedia?
Which came first, this post or the identical one on Wikipedia?
Thanks, @MinisterOTruth, good question. Indeed, my comment wasn't original. This is a great song, worthy of honest, accurate, helpful analysis, which is what I discovered at Wiki and shared here. I'm glad this comment has risen to the top, but can't take credit for the thoughts.
Thanks, @MinisterOTruth, good question. Indeed, my comment wasn't original. This is a great song, worthy of honest, accurate, helpful analysis, which is what I discovered at Wiki and shared here. I'm glad this comment has risen to the top, but can't take credit for the thoughts.
@alanhu a lovely analysis and although correct where meaning is involved, where the technical aspects of the song are discussed there are flaws. The song is actually comprised of four verses. Though the final two are rarely ever heard... the fourth even more so than the third. I'd love to see a breakdown of them, mostly because a pair of lines in the third verse are nearly unintelligible to my ears.
@alanhu a lovely analysis and although correct where meaning is involved, where the technical aspects of the song are discussed there are flaws. The song is actually comprised of four verses. Though the final two are rarely ever heard... the fourth even more so than the third. I'd love to see a breakdown of them, mostly because a pair of lines in the third verse are nearly unintelligible to my ears.