Procol Harum are an English rock band formed in 1967. Their best-known recording is the 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", considered a classic in popular music and one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies. Although noted for their baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music also embraces the blues, R&B, and soul.

In 2018, the band was honoured by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was inducted into the brand-new Singles category.

Lyrics

We skipped the light fandango Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor I was feeling kind a 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, 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

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 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 As the miller told his tale That her face, at first just ghostly, Turned a whiter shade of pale

Artist: Procol Harum Album: Procol Harum Released: 1967 Songwriter(s): Gary Brooker; Keith Reid; Matthew Fisher Recorded: April 1967