Great tune, freakish lyrics

Bernie Taupin on AWSoP

Joan May draws our attention to this snippet. She adds, 'I asked the author for a reference but he couldn't find where he read the quote'. Full item here

Re: Grey Seal
Author: RegDwight
Email:djsam@concentric.net
Date:1998/09/04
Forums:alt.fan.elton-john
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Actually, Bernie has said that it's one of his least favorite lyrics he's done ... he described it has 'a series of images' that really have no connection from one verse to the next ... also, he states, the intent of the finished product was to be slightly Procul-Harum-ish, Procul Harem having recorded Whiter Shade of Pale, a great tune, but with absolutely freakish lyrics ("... One of 16 vessel virgins was leaving for the coast ..."), so I hope that helps!

I'm not bothering with '[sic]' for this item ...

Sam Cameron draws our attention to this snippet:

From Elton by Philip Norman

Page 70 details how the young, shy introspective pre-Dwight Taupin was cloistered in his bedroom writing "yearning" imitations of a number of songs one of which is Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale

The book also reveals how Dee Murray was dropped without any reason and then recalled by Elton lots of times for albums and tours