WHITER SHADE OF PALE: PROCOL HARUM SONGWRITER HAS DIED

Slipped Disc ^ | March 30, 2023 | Norman Lebrecht

[nwrep]

The death has been announced today of Keith Reid, the lyricist of every original song recorded by Procol Harum.

Keith was 76.

[Tired of Taxes]

Always loved the lyrics to “Whiter Shade of Pale.”

Here’s the full version including the extra two stanzas:

We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels cross the floor
I was feeling kinda 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.
But 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 have just as well’ve been closed

She said, I’m home on shore leave,
Though in truth we were at sea
So I took her by the looking glass
And forced her to agree
Saying, you must be the mermaid
Who took Neptune for a ride.
But she smiled at me so sadly
That my anger straightway died

If music be the food of love
Then laughter is its queen
And likewise if behind is in front
Then dirt in truth is clean
My mouth by then like cardboard
Seemed to slip straight through my head
So we crash-dived straightway quickly
And attacked the ocean bed

No clue what the song is about. I used to think it was about someone’s death. Now I think it might be a breakup. It doesn’t matter.

Rest in peace, Keith Reid. You were a gifted poet.

[Clutch Martin]

I know, I know, they didn’t rip off Bach but they really did.

Bach couldn’t file a lawsuit for two reasons, he is long dead and his music is public domain.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

I liked the song, but never did understand it.

I read an interview with Gary Brooker before he died......he said it was about trying to get laid.

[DAC21]

“Great band. RIP”

Robin Trower sure went into a different direction with his music style after leaving Procol Harum. LP Bridge of Sighs was a good one.