No one has a good answer including the lyric writer Keith Reid. Reid says he started with the phrase "Whiter shade of pale" and kind of fit the pieces around that. I find that pretty much on par with my poetry wring process too.
It seems to start as a "drug fueled sexual encounter" but, at some point, the narrator's acid kicks in.
At one point on TV (Midnight Special ...I think) Reid stated something to the effect of I was trying to create a mood as much as tell a straight-up, girl-leaves-boy story. With the ceiling flying away and room humming harder, I wanted to paint a scene.
That's the best I can remember, Tommy. That show aired in about 1978 and I was 10 years old. There have been a lot of chemicals in my brain since then.
All that's left of what we were is what we have become.
Nice tight snare work. The snare is ok but when they tighten the skin THIS much, I rather like it! There just aren't enough drum solos in the world.
mae, do you know if this is a person on the drums or not? BTW, what is the proper terminology to ask if its the work of a human or a comp?
All that's left of what we were is what we have become.
Straight out of 1982 and even in 1982 it was fresh out of obscurity; Chris de Burg's Don't Pay the Ferryman gives a nod to Shakespeare and the Greek Ferryman, Charon (Kharon.)
All that's left of what we were is what we have become.
It’s great seeing discussions in this thread. Sometimes I feel like I’m just spamming it. Speaking of which, Tommy, did you get a chance to listen to the stuff I posted a few days ago? I think a lot of it would be right up your valley, but it’s pretty melancholy and dark, so it definitely needs the right mood. This week has been mostly that kinda mood.
All that's left of what we were is what we have become.