A Whiter Shade of Pale

Explained by GB in 1967

This BBC interview is quoted in Playpower by Richard Neville,
and in The Bumper Book Of Psych Quotations, by Roger St. John.

Note the foresight revealed by the penultimate question.

Interviewer
Your record, A Whiter Shade of Pale, has shot to the top of the charts in three days. What do the rather obscure lyrics mean?

Brooker
Nothing in particular, man.

Interviewer
Come now. You must have had something in mind when you wrote it.

Brooker
No ... (mumble mumble)

Interviewer
You mean it was a random selection of made-up phrases?

Brooker
Yeah ... sort of ... mumble mumble.

Interviewer
But there is one line which is made to stand out, isn't there? The line about vestal virgins going to the coast?

Brooker
(expression of surprise) It just happened that way, during the arranging. It could have been any line.

Interviewer
(archly) Do you regard what you wrote as good music?

Brooker
It's just a song.

Interviewer
I suppose everyone will have forgotten about it in two weeks.

Brooker
Sure, man.

Interviewer
Doesn't that worry you?

Brooker
No.

2009: most-played record on the last 75 years