1. Nostalgia and Remembrance: The song evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past relationship or experience. The lyrics "We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels 'cross the floor" and "In the autumn of my face" suggest a reflection on memories and the passage of time.
2. Spiritual Journey: The song can be interpreted as a spiritual or mystical journey. References to "whiter shade of pale" and "piper down the stream" could symbolize a search for enlightenment or spiritual awakening.
3. Loss and Grief: The lyrics also convey a sense of loss and grief. The repeated phrase "and so it seemed forever and forever was to last" suggests a feeling of time standing still in the face of loss or a significant life event.
4. Social Commentary: Some interpret the song as a commentary on societal norms and conformity. The line "painted faces fill the places I can see" could be a critique of superficiality and a desire to conform to societal expectations.
5. Love and Relationships: The lyrics can be seen as describing a complex and evolving relationship between two individuals. The contrasting imagery of "whiter shade of pale" and "blacker shade of blue" could represent the interplay of emotions and experiences within a relationship.
6. Philosophical Reflections: The song also raises philosophical questions about life, existence, and the nature of reality. Lines like "And so it was that later, as the miller told his tale" and "All the while his sad face holdi
ng shadows for a while" suggest a contemplation of life's journey and the inevitable presence of sadness and challenges.
Ultimately, the meaning of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" lies in the eyes of the listener and their own personal experiences and interpretations. Its poetic and symbolic language allows for multiple layers of understanding and reflection.