PERFORMING/VISUAL ARTS – MUSIC/PHOTOGRAPHY: “Whiter Shade of Pale” / Annie Lennox ☮

Annie Lennox – Whiter Shade Of Pale [Gary Brooker / Keith Reid] Photography by © Vincent Peters. Album: Medusa (1995) by Annie Lennox. Release: Date March 14, 1995. Sound recording administered by SME. Medusa is the second solo album by the Scottish singer Annie Lennox, released in March 1995. It consists entirely ofcover songs, all originally recorded by male artists. “Whiter Shade of Pale” is the debut single by the English rock band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. Keith Reid is a songwriter who wrote the lyrics of every Procol Harum song , got the title and starting point for the song at a party. He overheard someone at the party saying to a woman, “You’ve turned a whiter shade of pale,” and the phrase stuck in his mind. The song is based on J. S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite N° 3 in D Major by Fisher’s Hammond organ. Although he did not sing or play an instrument, lyricist Keith Reid was a pivotal element to the long-term success of art rock mainstays Procol Harum.

PERFORMING ARTS – WELSH FOLK MUSIC: Mary Hopkin / “Those Were The Days” / 1968 ☮

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
Think of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la…

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me

Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
La la la la…

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we’re older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same

Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
La la la la…