Brooker grew up in the seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, as did most of the other founding members of Procol Harum.
He founded The Paramounts in 1962 with his guitarist friend Robin Trower. The band gained respect within the burgeoning 1960s British R 'n' B scene, which yielded The Beatles, The Animals, The Spencer Davis Group, The Rolling Stones, and many others. The Stones, in particular, were Paramounts fans, giving them guest billing on several memorable shows in the early 1960s.
In 1966, Brooker founded Procol Harum. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the worldwide hit that Procol Harum is best known for, but Brooker's melancholy vocals and emotive, eclectic piano playing were a key part of Procol's musical mix for the entire course of the band's career. In the early years Brooker, Hammond organist Matthew Fisher, and Trower were the guiding musical forces behind the band, but after disparities in style became too much and Fisher and Trower left, Brooker was the clear leader until the band broke up in 1977.
Brooker sang lead vocal on the Alan Parsons song "Limelight", on their 1985 album, Stereotomy.
A new incarnation of the Procol Harum, led by Brooker, and including Fisher for most of the tours from 1991 through 2003, has continued touring the world. Brooker also toured with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band in 1997 and 1999, and he was also a member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings for several years, appearing on three of their albums and touring with the band.
In November 2002 he was among musicians and singers participating in the George Harrison tribute concert, Concert for George, at which he took vocals on their version of "Old Brown Shoe".
Brooker died from cancer at his home on 19 February 2022, at the age of 76.
Angelina
Gary Brooker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heart is burning like a forest fire for you
Sticking pins all over my effigy
The pain's no worse than the witch's heart you left with me
How can you fail to see my point of view
Or are your eyes a bitch's brew?
At first I thought you came from paradise
So tell me it another way
Listen what I have to say
Don't leave me for another day
Tell me that you're here to stay
There's something odd about the way I fell
Could it be those potions that you mixed up Oh so well?
You spin your web but like a spider's mate
I served your purpose but for me it's not too late
You cut me deep but hat is how I learned
You're just my cup of gruel
Familiar faces that you left with me
Are they meant to be so cruel? 'cause I live you
So tell me it another way
Listen what I have to say
Don't leave me for another day
Tell me that you're here to stay
That's all the words you have to say
Tell me it another way
The song "Angelina" by Gary Brooker is a passionate and intense love song about the pain and confusion that can come with loving someone deeply. The lyrics describe the singer's inner turmoil and conflicting emotions about a lover who seems to have both enchanted and wounded him. The first verse sets the scene with vivid metaphors about the singer's state of mind and heart, portraying him as a boiling and burning mass of emotions that are all focused on his lover, Angelina. The pain he feels is compared to a witch's heart, suggesting that Angelina has some kind of dark and magical power over him.
The second verse explores the singer's attempts to understand and communicate with Angelina. He feels frustrated and misunderstood, as if she is not able to see things from his perspective. He questions whether her eyes are "a bitch's brew," implying that she might be deceptive or manipulative. Despite all this, he admits that he loves her deeply and is willing to forgive her for the hurt she has caused him.
The chorus is a plea for reassurance and commitment from Angelina. The singer wants her to stay with him and to tell him that she loves him in a way that he can understand. He is afraid of being left alone and wants to hear that she will be there for him, no matter what happens.
Overall, the lyrics of "Angelina" capture the intense and complex nature of love, with all its joys and pains, and the struggle to make sense of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
My temper's boiling like a thermal mire
I am extremely angry and frustrated.
My heart is burning like a forest fire for you
I am deeply in love with you, and my passion for you is intense and inextinguishable.
Sticking pins all over my effigy
You are hurting me in every possible way by using voodoo.
The pain's no worse than the witch's heart you left with me
The emotional trauma you've caused me is as severe as the cruelty of a wicked witch.
How can you fail to see my point of view
I cannot comprehend how you don't understand my perspective.
Or are your eyes a bitch's brew?
Are you under some spell of a cruel female in disguise?
At first I thought you came from paradise
Initially, I believed you were the perfect 'angel' for me.
Then you split my world in two, but I love you
Despite the fact that you have caused me immense pain and have turned my world upside down, I still love you.
So tell me it another way
Explain it to me again or in a different manner, so I can try to understand you better.
Listen what I have to say
Pay attention to my words and understand my perspective.
Don't leave me for another day
Stay with me and don't abandon me any longer.
Tell me that you're here to stay
Promise me that you will be by my side for the long haul.
There's something odd about the way I fell
I am suspicious that something may be wrong with the way I feel about you.
Could it be those potions that you mixed up Oh so well?
Perhaps you have used magic to manipulate my emotions and feelings.
You spin your web but like a spider's mate
You have seduced me like a spider trapping its prey in its web.
I served your purpose but for me it's not too late
I may have played into your hands, but I still have a chance to change things for myself.
You cut me deep but hat is how I learned
You hurt me badly, but I have become wiser because of it.
You're just my cup of gruel
I still love you, despite the pain you've caused me.
Familiar faces that you left with me
You've introduced me to people who are unkind to me.
Are they meant to be so cruel?
Why are the people you've brought into my life so unkind and hurtful to me?
Lyrics © Red Brick Music Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, EMI Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GARY BROOKER, KEITH REID, TIM RENWICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John LaStrada
One of Brooker's most beautiful tracks. Some lyrics on this album were provided by King Crimson's Pete Sinfield. "Say It Ain't So, Joe," is equally good -- and written by British rocker Murray Head. This was Brooker's best solo album. Almost every track was good -- though only a few would be considered Procol Harum type tracks.
Larry G
Herb Alpert did a nice version of this too.
tom kent
RIP