<P> With its haunting Bach - derived instrumental melody , soulful vocals , and unusual lyrics -- by the song 's co-authors Gary Brooker , Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher -- `` A Whiter Shade of Pale '' reached No. 1 in several countries when released in 1967 . In the years since , it has become an enduring classic . It was the most played song in the last 75 years in public places in the UK ( as of 2009 ) , and the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited in 2004 recognised it as the most - played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years . Also in 2004 , Rolling Stone placed `` A Whiter Shade of Pale '' 57th on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time . </P>
<P> With its haunting Bach - derived instrumental melody , soulful vocals , and unusual lyrics -- by the song 's co-authors Gary Brooker , Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher -- `` A Whiter Shade of Pale '' reached No. 1 in several countries when released in 1967 . In the years since , it has become an enduring classic . It was the most played song in the last 75 years in public places in the UK ( as of 2009 ) , and the United Kingdom performing rights group Phonographic Performance Limited in 2004 recognised it as the most - played record by British broadcasting of the past 70 years . Also in 2004 , Rolling Stone placed `` A Whiter Shade of Pale '' 57th on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time . </P>
who wrote the music to a whiter shade of pale
who wrote the music to a whiter shade of pale
Gary Brooker Keith Reid Matthew Fisher
Gary Brooker Keith Reid Matthew Fisher