Procol Harum were pioneers of progressive and baroque rock, and the creators of one of the most famous songs ever recorded. Formed in 1967, the British band fused Gary Brooker’s soulful voice, Matthew Fisher’s church-like Hammond organ, Robin Trower’s guitar and Keith Reid’s cryptic lyrics into a stately, classical-tinged sound that peaked with “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and the album A Salty Dog. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, “A Salty Dog”, “Conquistador” and “In Held ’Twas in I” — the Bach-infused number one that defined a summer, the majestic title track of their masterpiece, their historical-imagery classic, and an eighteen-minute suite that helped invent prog. The full ranking is below.

The band that made Bach a number one hit

Procol Harum built a bridge between rock and the classics like almost no one before them. Formed in 1967 around pianist and singer Gary Brooker and non-performing lyricist Keith Reid, the British band scored one of the defining hits of the era — the Bach-infused, organ-drenched “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” a UK number one and one of the best-selling singles of all time. But they were no one-hit wonder: across a decade of albums they fused blues, soul and classical music into a stately art-rock all their own, from the masterpiece A Salty Dog to the eighteen-minute proto-prog suite “In Held ’Twas in I” and the orchestral grandeur of Grand Hotel. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing melody, ambition, that unmistakable organ-and-piano sound and lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967), the immortal, Bach-infused number one and one of the best-selling singles ever made. With it: “A Salty Dog” (1969), the majestic, orchestral title track of their masterpiece; “Conquistador” (1967), the historical-imagery classic that later became a huge orchestral hit; “In Held ’Twas in I” (1968), the groundbreaking eighteen-minute suite that stands as a foundational prog epic; “Grand Hotel” (1973), the lavish, orchestral title track; and “Simple Sister” (1971), a savage, riff-driven high point.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Whaling Stories” (1970) is an ambitious epic with a barnstorming finale; “Repent Walpurgis” (1967) is the majestic instrumental that closed their debut; “The Devil Came from Kansas” (1969) is a dark, driving Keith Reid narrative; “Shine On Brightly” (1968) is the title track, all Prussian-blue psychedelia; and “Pandora’s Box” (1975) is their late-period hit single.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “Whisky Train” (1970) is Robin Trower’s Hendrix-tinged guitar showcase; “Broken Barricades” (1971) is the brooding, atmospheric title track; “A Rum Tale” (1973) is a wry, piano-led charmer; and “Nothing but the Truth” (1974) is the punchy opener of a late gem.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with the self-titled debut, home to “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and “Conquistador”, and A Salty Dog, widely regarded as their masterpiece, then Shine On Brightly and Grand Hotel. Their heavier and later albums, from Broken Barricades to the weaker Something Magic, reward deeper exploration, as does the famous Live in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

The players

Procol Harum were built around pianist and singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid, the non-performing “sixth member” who wrote their words. The classic sound came alive with Matthew Fisher’s stately Hammond organ — the heart of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” — guitarist Robin Trower, whose playing grew ever more Hendrix-like before he left for a solo career, and drummer B.J. Wilson. Founder Gary Brooker died in 2022, and lyricist Keith Reid in 2023; B.J. Wilson had died years before, in 1990.

Why they still matter

Procol Harum were among the true architects of progressive rock, marrying rock to the classics years before the genre had a name. Kindred spirits of The Moody Blues, The Nice, Barclay James Harvest and Renaissance, they proved a rock band could be soulful, literate and symphonic all at once. Decades on, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” remains one of the most beloved records ever made.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Procol Harum albums, find an entry point with where to start with Procol Harum, or dig into the underrated Procol Harum albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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