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Every Billboard Hot 100 Single 1970: #615: “Whiter Shade Of Pale”- R.B. Greaves. December 12, 1970.
- Single: “Whiter Shade Of Pale”- R.B. Greaves
- Record Company- Atco
- Genre: Pop, Soul
- Written by Garry Brooker, Keith Reid
- Time: 3:20
- B-side:”Show Me The Way To Go”
- Grade: C
- Peaked at #82 3 weeks in Billboard Hot 100.
Ronald Bertram Greaves was born in 1944 in Georgetown, British Guiana. He died in 2012 at 67. He was the nephew of Sam Cooke. He had 5 Hot 100 singles with 2 making the Top 40- his big hit being “Take A Letter Maria” #2 in 1969. Why anyone would take on this song-I have no idea- you had no chances of topping Procol Harum.
It sounds pretty good but a little too sanitized for my liking.
I agree, Hans. It’s not a bad take, but you just can’t trump the original, which is one of the ’60s songs, in my opinion.
I believe John Lennon said it was one of his favorite songs.
Favorite song – or – Favorite performer?
song
Song – (but of course) hence the “song”. LoL
Well, this answers a question. I remember this version but, didn’t realize it. This reminds me of my confusion over Woodstock. CSN&Y always sounded off to me despite being the most popular version of the song. Then, I heard Matthew’s Southern Comfort. I had heard that version, first, in my childhood. Ditto this song. No wonder Procol Harum’s version always sounded off to me. This sounds more “gospel-ly” with a shot of blues. I love Take A Letter Maria.
Procol Harum’s version sounded very druggy to me….
Ed Zachary! 😄
I love the original but had no idea Greaves had tried to cover it
Besides, it’s just fun to say “Procol Harum”. 🎶
Not a bad cover, actually, but like you say, why would anyone want to take on this iconic song?