Aeolian Schmolian

This song from Procol Harum’s first album has a funny (to me anyway), ironic classical quote that puts the lyrics in perspective.  At 1:39 and 3:04 you get a snippet from the Prince Of Denmark march commonly played at weddings.  To me clearly indicates the lyrics are about a love affair or marriage gone wrong.

On a related note, many people think the organ melody from “Whiter Shade of Pale” was lifted from Bach.  It wasn’t.  Underlying chord progression similar to “Air” from Orchestral Suite #3, but just the chords, not the melody.  Organist Matthew Fisher finally won 40% of songwriting royalties for it in 2006.

By the way, I was thinking more about that dumb “Aeolian Cadences” review.  I think it was a matter of validating the Beatles to snobs.  I think many people who were 30+ in the early 60’s and listened mostly to classical, jazz, swing or show tunes, found themselves liking the Beatles, and some were a little embarrassed about it.  Both my parents told me that the Beatles were the first rock music they ever liked.  The more snobbish and insecure of such people needed a fellow snob to tell them it was all ok.  But he really didn’t have to go make shit up.

5 Replies to “Aeolian Schmolian”

    1. They just liked various AM pop songs here and there rather than individual bands or singers. The Beatles were an exception because they had so many catchy hits with good harmonies. But they quit liking them after they got psychedelic and experimental, and rock in general after it got heavier and bluesier. They did like some of the power pop that they’d hear my brother and me playing in the late 70’s. My mother, in her 60’s at that point, really liked Blondie.

  1. Oh, and even after the Beatles got “weird,” my parents still liked Paul’s “granny music.” Which I guess proves John’s point in calling it that.

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