Meaning of Whiter Shade Of Pale - Black Label Society
Black Label Society's cover of Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" is a haunting and emotive ballad that tells the story of unrequited love and longing. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and poetic language, creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy that resonates deeply with listeners.
The song begins with the lines "We skipped the light fandango / And turned cartwheels across the floor," setting the tone for the playful and carefree atmosphere of the song. However, this mood is quickly contrasted with the line "Yeah, I was feeling kind of seasick," suggesting a sense of discomfort or unease. The crowd's call for more ("And the room was humming harder / And as the ceiling flew away") only adds to the sense of chaos and confusion.
The chorus, "We called out for another drink, oh yeah / The waiter brought the tray," is a repetition of the theme of indulgence and excess that runs throughout the song. The use of the word "tray" also adds a sense of mundanity and routine to the proceedings, highlighting the monotony of the characters' lives.
The second verse introduces the central theme of the song: the longing for a distant love. The lines "And so it was that later, yeah / As the miller told his tale" set the scene for the story of the "sixteen vestal virgins" who are "leaving for the coast." The image of the virgins is a powerful one, evoking the idea of purity and innocence lost. The line "And oh, and my eyes were open / They might just as well have been closed" suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if the protagonist has given up hope of ever being with the one they love.
The chorus is repeated once more, with the added emphasis on the phrase "whiter shade of pale." This repetition serves to drive home the idea that the protagonist is longing for something that is just out of reach, and that this longing is a source of pain and sorrow. The use of the word "whiter" also adds a sense of purity and innocence to the lyrics, further emphasizing the theme of lost love.
Overall, Black Label Society's cover of "Whiter Shade of Pale" is a powerful and emotive song that explores themes of love, loss, and longing. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and poetic language, creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy that resonates deeply with listeners. The repetition of the chorus and the emphasis on the phrase "whiter shade of pale" drive home the idea that the protagonist is longing for something that is just out of reach, and that this longing is a source of pain and sorrow.
The song begins with the lines "We skipped the light fandango / And turned cartwheels across the floor," setting the tone for the playful and carefree atmosphere of the song. However, this mood is quickly contrasted with the line "Yeah, I was feeling kind of seasick," suggesting a sense of discomfort or unease. The crowd's call for more ("And the room was humming harder / And as the ceiling flew away") only adds to the sense of chaos and confusion.
The chorus, "We called out for another drink, oh yeah / The waiter brought the tray," is a repetition of the theme of indulgence and excess that runs throughout the song. The use of the word "tray" also adds a sense of mundanity and routine to the proceedings, highlighting the monotony of the characters' lives.
The second verse introduces the central theme of the song: the longing for a distant love. The lines "And so it was that later, yeah / As the miller told his tale" set the scene for the story of the "sixteen vestal virgins" who are "leaving for the coast." The image of the virgins is a powerful one, evoking the idea of purity and innocence lost. The line "And oh, and my eyes were open / They might just as well have been closed" suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if the protagonist has given up hope of ever being with the one they love.
The chorus is repeated once more, with the added emphasis on the phrase "whiter shade of pale." This repetition serves to drive home the idea that the protagonist is longing for something that is just out of reach, and that this longing is a source of pain and sorrow. The use of the word "whiter" also adds a sense of purity and innocence to the lyrics, further emphasizing the theme of lost love.
Overall, Black Label Society's cover of "Whiter Shade of Pale" is a powerful and emotive song that explores themes of love, loss, and longing. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and poetic language, creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy that resonates deeply with listeners. The repetition of the chorus and the emphasis on the phrase "whiter shade of pale" drive home the idea that the protagonist is longing for something that is just out of reach, and that this longing is a source of pain and sorrow.
