A Whiter Shade of Bach?
I’m finally back from a pretty intense three days in dear old Swindon. On the train coming home I happened to listen to this classic for the first time in ages and, too tired for anything else this evening, I thought I’d share this version I found on Youtube because it’s positively dripping with nostalgia for the Swinging Sixties.
Incidentally, I’ve always believed that a Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum was based pretty directly on music by Johan Sebastian Bach. I don’t know who told me so, but I’ve always taken it for granted. Listening to it a few times on my iPod and again since I got home has made me realise that I’ve probably been a bit unfair to the songwriters Gary Booker, Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher, a sentiment confirmed by the wikipedia article about the piece I linked to through its title.
It is true that it sounds very much like Bach, especially the trademark descending bass figures which feature in the Hammond organ part; indeed, the first few bars of the accompaniment are pretty much identical to the second movement from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 better known as “Air on the G String“. After that, although the piece continues to sound like Bach, in the sense that the chord progression has a compelling sense of logic to it, it’s not an copy of anything I recognize (although of course I stand ready to be contradicted by music experts…). The melody is also, as far as I’m aware, quite original.
Here are the chords, by the way, if you’re interested. They’re a great illustration of the difference between a real progression and just a sequence. In fact I’m quite surprised this hasn’t been taken up by more jazz musicians, as it looks like very fertile grounds for improvisation – just as much of Bach’s own music is.
Anyway, whatever the inspiration, it was a huge hit and I think it still sounds fresh and interesting over 40 years later. I for one don’t think the word “masterpiece” is an exaggeration.
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In the Dark 
September 22, 2011 at 10:46 pm
An absolute classic. Their next single was an inferior repeat, but their 3rd, A Salty Dog, was amazing too, albeit far less immediate, and in a totally different style.
This song enriched the lawyers too, for Procol Harum fell out about who wrote it and the royalties.
September 23, 2011 at 7:47 am
Yes, I added Matthew Fisher to the writer list on legal advice…
September 23, 2011 at 10:53 am
Never forget that one hit is one more than most bands ever manage…
September 23, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Don McLean had two number ones in UK, and I regard Vincent as better than American Pie. As for Crossroads from the same album, an incredibly beautiful love song. The man was far more than a 1-hit wonder.
July 13, 2018 at 4:22 pm
I’m sure he’s been alive for some time already.
September 26, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Isn’t there a family resemblance to Je t’aime as well?
Personally though, I feel the shades of old Johann Sebastian invariably pale before the real thing. Here’s one
and there are dozens as hauntingly beautiful.
July 29, 2014 at 4:19 pm
procol had also grand hotel, another masterpiece
September 1, 2014 at 7:08 am
The Daly Wilson Big Band did a magic version in 1977 with a flugel horn solo
July 12, 2018 at 6:03 pm
The Bach piece is the slow movement of harpsichord concerto in F Minor.
July 13, 2018 at 2:39 pm
I’ve heard that said before, but I remain unconvinced…
March 21, 2019 at 8:14 pm
In 1985, the 300th anniversary of Bach’s birth, I saw one of the members of Procol Harum talking about how Bach influenced the chord progression of their song.
June 11, 2019 at 6:55 pm
Yes, “Air” was the musical influence. Gary Brooker tells the story:
March 13, 2020 at 9:15 pm
If you perceive Procol Harum to be an overrated band, I suggest (if you haven’t already) checking out some of their other albums. Their premier album and A Salty Dog are my two favorites. Maybe “Cerdes (Outside the Gates of)” will change your mind. Or perhaps “Crucifiction Lane.”