Rhye’s cover of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” is a hauntingly beautiful rendition of the classic song originally performed by the British rock band Procol Harum in 1967. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but Rhye’s version stands out for its ethereal vocals and stripped-down instrumentation. In this essay, we will take an in-depth look at the lyrics of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and explore the themes and meanings behind the words.
A Whiter Shade of Pale Lyrics
[Intro]
Oooh, oooh
[Verse 1]
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
And as the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
[Chorus]
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale, mm his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale, oh
[Outro]
Turned a whiter shade of pale
[Verse 1]
The first verse of the song sets the scene for the rest of the lyrics. The narrator describes a scene of revelry and excess, with people dancing and drinking in a crowded room. The use of the phrase “skipped the light fandango” is a nod to the traditional folk dance of the same name, and suggests a sense of carefree abandon. The mention of feeling “kinda seasick” adds a note of discomfort to the scene, suggesting that the narrator is not entirely comfortable with the excesses going on around them.
The line “the room was humming harder” is a clever bit of wordplay, as it can be interpreted both literally (as in the sound of the party getting louder) and figuratively (as in the feeling of being overwhelmed or disoriented). The imagery of the ceiling flying away adds to the sense of disorientation, as if the narrator is losing their grip on reality.
[Chorus]
The chorus of the song takes a darker turn, as the narrator describes a shift in mood that occurs later in the evening. The mention of “the miller told his tale” is a reference to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, specifically the story of the Miller, who tells a ribald and bawdy tale that is out of keeping with the more serious and moralistic tone of the other stories. The inclusion of this reference suggests that the revelry of the first verse has given way to a more somber mood.
The line “her face, at first just ghostly / turned a whiter shade of pale” is the most memorable and evocative of the song. The image of a person’s face turning pale suggests a sudden and profound shift in emotion, perhaps even a sense of shock or horror. The use of the word “ghostly” adds to the sense of unease, suggesting that the change in mood is not just a physical one, but a spiritual or emotional one as well.
[Outro]
The final lines of the song repeat the phrase “turned a whiter shade of pale,” emphasizing the impact of this moment on the narrator. The use of repetition also adds to the dreamlike quality of the song, as if the narrator is recounting a surreal experience that has left a lasting impression on them.
FAQ
Q: What is the meaning of “A Whiter Shade of Pale”?
A: The song is open to interpretation, but it is generally thought to be a meditation on the transience of life and the fleeting nature of happiness. The shifting moods and imagery of the song suggest a sense of impermanence and fragility as if the narrator is struggling to come to terms with the fleeting nature of human experience.
Q: What does the phrase “turned a whiter shade of pale” mean?
A: The phrase is a metaphor for a sudden and profound shift in mood or emotion. The use of the word “whiter” suggests a loss of vitality or life force, while the use of “pale” suggests a sense of shock or horror.
