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A Whiter Shade of Pale

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"A Whiter Shade of Pale"
Song
B-side"Lime Street Blues"

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is a song by the British band Procol Harum. The single reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967 where it stayed for a total of six weeks.

Song profile

With its haunting tonality and Bach flavouring (both provided by Hammond organist Matthew Fisher), vocals by Gary Brooker, and unusual lyrics by Keith Reid, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" reached #1 in several countries all over the world when released in 1967.

In the years since, it has become an enduring classic. In 2004, the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited named it the most-played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years.[1] More than 800 recorded cover versions by other artists are known.[2]

The original writing credits were for Brooker and Reid only. On December 20, 2006, Matthew Fisher won 40% of the music's copyright value and future royalties in a court case, but on April 4, 2008 an appeals decision reversed the earlier outcome and returned the rights to Brooker.[3]

This song has been used in many music and movie soundtrack compilations over the decades.

There have been two versions of "Pale." One is an earlier recorded longer (5:51) alternate take of the song (that version exists in stereo). The most well-known version of the song, the one released as a single, is of shorter duration. However, nearly all released versions of the single version have been in monaural sound as no stereo master had been known to exist. A stereo incarnation of the single version has since become available on the compilation CD Dick Bartley Presents Classic Oldies: 1965-1969.

Recording and personnel

The song was performed and recorded at Olympic Studios by Gary Brooker providing the vocals and piano, Matthew Fisher on a Hammond M-102 organ, David Knights on bass and Ray Royer on guitar. Drums were provided by session drummer Bill Eyden. A few days later drums were overdubbed by the band's then newly-recruited drummer Bobby Harrison. That version, though, was considered inferior, and one of the original mono recordings was chosen for release.

Producer for the record was Denny Cordell and Keith Grant was the sound engineer.[4]

Chart performance and acclaim

The single was released on 12 May 1967 (UK, Deram Records). It entered the UK charts on May 25, 1967. In two weeks, it had reached number one, where it stayed for six weeks. All in all, it stayed 15 weeks on the UK chart. A May 1972 re-release on Fly Records stayed in the UK charts for a total of 12 weeks, and reached number 13 as highest. In the US, it reached #5 and sold over 1,000,000 copies.

Chart positions: # 1 (UK), # 1 (Germany) , # 1 (Ireland), # 1 (Australia), # 1 (World), # 3 (Norway VG-lista), # 5 (USA Hot 100)

Over time, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" has earned extensive critical acclaim.

Resemblance to the work of J.S. Bach

The Hammond organ line of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's "Sleepers Awake" and "Air on a G String", but contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach.[6]

Authorship lawsuit

In 2005, Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher filed suit in the Royal Courts of Justice against Gary Brooker and his publisher, claiming that Fisher co-wrote the music for the song.[7] Fisher won the case on 20 December, 2006 but was awarded a 40% share of the music copyright, rather than the 50% he was seeking and was not granted royalties prior to 2005.[8] Gary Brooker and publisher Onward Music were granted leave to appeal, and a hearing on the matter was had before a panel of three judges during the week of October 1, 2007. The decision, on 4 April 2008, by Lord Justice Mummery, in The Court of Appeal was that even though Fisher had 'contributed the organ theme' and was thus entitled to co-authorship,[9], he should receive no royalties as he had taken too long (38 years) to bring his claim to litigation. Full royalty rights were returned to Brooker.[10]

Cover versions

Hundreds of artists have covered the song.[11] A few by well known artists:

References to the song

Preceded by UK Singles Chart number one single
June 8 1967 - July 18 1967 (six weeks) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Ireland 1967 number one single
June 22 1967 - July 19 1967 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australia 1967 number one single
July 8 1967 - July 28 1967 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United World Chart number one single
July 8 1967 - August 19 1967 		Succeeded by

References

  1. ^ "Procol Harum Shades Rivals in UK Survey". Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  2. ^ "A Whiter Shade of Pale Versions - Martin's Collection". Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  3. ^ Rock Star Brooker Shades Royalty Battle Sky News, April 4, 2008
  4. ^ "Procol Harum Beyond The Pale" by Claes Johansen. Pages 68 and 86, SAF Publishing, London, 2000.
  5. ^ "THE 100 GREATEST No.1 SINGLES". Retrieved 2006-09-21.
  6. ^ "What Bach Piece is A Whiter Shade of Pale?". Archived from the original on 2001-06-16. Retrieved 2006-09-21.
  7. ^ "A Whiter Shade of Pale authorship lawsuit". Retrieved 2006-09-21.
  8. ^ BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Organist wins Procol Harum battle
  9. ^ Procol Harum singer wins royalties fight
  10. ^ BBC - Procol Harum ruling is overturned
  11. ^ "Cover versions of Procol Harum songs". Retrieved 2006-09-21.
  12. ^ Procol Harum. "Beyond the Pale".


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