A Whiter Shade of Pale

We kill two birds with one song this week. We celebrate the birthday of vocalist Gary Brooker, who turns 65 today, and we enjoy his group, Procol Harum's, biggest hit, released in 1967.

Brooker founded Procol Harum in the mid 60s. In the 70s he played in Eric Clapton's band for a time and today often tours with former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman's group the Ryhthm Kings.

As a child of the 60s I could never make up my mind which was more bizarre - the group's name or the lyrics to A Whiter Shade of Pale.

We skipped a light fandango,

Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor.

I was feeling kind of 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

That 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 just as well have been closed.

And so it was later,

As the miller told his tale,

That her face at first just ghostly,

Turned a whiter shade of pale.