A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Liza Veiga Lyrics
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turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
i was feeling kind of 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
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly
turned a whiter shade of pale
------ organ solo ------
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...
The lyrics of "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Liza Veiga narrate an experience of someone who attended a party and had too much to drink. The song starts with the lines "We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels 'cross the floor, I was feeling kind of seasick, but the crowd called out for more." These lines suggest that the person is intoxicated, but they are still dancing and having a good time. The room around them seems to be in a frenzy as the "ceiling flew away" and the "room was humming harder." As the party continues and they call out for another drink, the waiter brings them more, and the person continues to enjoy themselves.
Later on, the person meets a woman who turns a "whiter shade of pale" as the miller tells his tale. It is suggested that the woman is scared, but there is "no reason" for her to be. The singer seems to be infatuated with the girl, as they "wandered through playing cards" and they desperately want her to stay. The song's repetition of the lines "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" creates a haunting and hypnotic effect, particularly when paired with the memorable organ solo.
Overall, "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" is a song about a drunken party, infatuation, and perhaps even the inevitability of death. The melody of the song, along with the lyrics and organ solo, creates a lush and ethereal atmosphere that lingers even long after the song's final notes.
Line by Line Meaning
We skipped the light fandango
We danced joyfully and lightly
turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
We spun and flipped across the dance floor
i was feeling kind of seasick
I felt dizzy and disoriented
but the crowd called out for more
The audience wanted us to continue performing
the room was humming harder
The atmosphere was becoming more intense
as the ceiling flew away
The environment seemed to transform and expand
when we called out for another drink
We asked for more alcohol to keep the excitement going
the waiter brought a tray
The server brought us another round of drinks
And so it was that later
As the story continued...
as the miller told his tale
As the storyteller shared his narrative
that her face, at first just ghostly
That woman's complexion, initially pale
turned a whiter shade of pale
Turned even paler, or became even more ghostly in appearance
She said there is no reason
She responded that there was no logical explanation
and the truth is plain to see
She insisted that the truth was obvious
but i wandered through my playing cards
But I was distracted by my own thoughts
and would not let her be
And could not focus on what she was saying
one of sixteen vestal virgins
One of a group of pure and chaste young women
who were leaving for the coast
Who were departing for a journey
and although my eyes were open
And even though I was aware of my surroundings
they might just as well've been closed
I was not truly present or engaged in the moment
And so it was that later
Continuing the story...
as the miller told his tale
As the narration progressed
that her face, at first just ghostly
That woman's complexion, once again, was at first pale
turned a whiter shade of pale
Turned even paler than before
Contributed by Jordyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kafulcura
La primera vez que escuché a Liza Veiga quedé extasiado Qué voz!!! Qué belleza!!!Qué maravillosa interpretación!!! Suelo escucharla!!! Fué un descubrimiento pues no sabía que existía un talento como ella en Portugal!!!
Bella Smil
VOZ MARAVILHOSAAAAA ! INTERPRETAÇÃO MAGNÍFICA ! PARABÉNS !
allisonewe
I absolutely love this song. I have not ever heard this version though. This is marvelous! Oh my goodness. I love this. beautiful!
ruiolas
Lindo :) Eu vi ao vivo em Cascais!
Slash Esprey
Lightness of Being. Is there a better piece of music? Is there a better interpretation of it? Is there a more suited voice? No, never! This is heaven!
Roynsam
Brilliant vocals. The fact that her strong accent comes through in the singing of the song is great... She makes her own version of this song and I really like it...
João Manuel Santos
Maravilhosamente fabulosa como me costumo referir à voz desta linda senhora...
Carola Rost-Maskawy
An awesome performance of this great song!
Fernando Miguel Inacio
Muito bem Liza.Excelente voz e excelente escolha.Parabens.
Frank T. Pereira
You are fabulous I love your beautiful voice I've been listening this song since 1967 when it came out from England Procol Hurum) this was a hit here in American in my early days. Again thank you for sharing your excellent job.Frank Pereira