- published: 09 Sep 2007
- views: 49228086
Procol Harum (/ˈproʊkəl ˈhɑːrəm/) are an English rock band formed in 1967. They contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which is considered a classic of popular music and is one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies. Although noted for its baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music also embraces the blues, R&B and soul.
The Paramounts, based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, led by Gary Brooker and Robin Trower and including Chris Copping and B. J. Wilson, scored a moderate British success in 1964 with their version of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's "Poison Ivy", which reached number 35 in the UK Singles Chart. Unable to generate any follow-up success, the group disbanded in 1966.
The Paramounts were signed to EMI UK for their releases; until one day before Procol Harum linked with EMI UK again, they were called The Pinewoods. A last-minute offer from Chris Blackwell's fledgling Island Records label was rejected by Brooker and band.
The night surrounds me
I can't turn back the hands of time
When I look around me
My thoughts are of the lonely kind
Such a game of high stakes
We gambled and then we lost
We were fools to believe
That we could beat the odds
But the story always ends the same
(You can't turn back the page)
Trying to relive ev'ry moment as it came
(You can't turn back the page)
But it always ends the same
You can't turn back the page
The night surrounds me
I try and get you off my mind
But still... still it hounds me
If I could see you one more time
In a moment of madness
We gambled and the we lost
Now we live in the shadows
And pay the cost
And the story always ends the same
(You can't turn back the page)
Trying to relive ev'ry moment as it came
(You can't turn back the page)
But it always ends the same
You can't turn back the page
The judgement's been set
The jury retired
The court's now in recess
The plea's been denied
And the story always ends the same
(You can't turn back the page)
Trying to relive ev'ry moment as it came
(You can't turn back the page)
But it always ends the same