Whiter Shade of Pete

Found this rare clip of Pete Townshend playing "Whiter Shade of Pale" with Procol Harum. Judging by Pete's hair style, this is 1981 or 82 either just before or just after he cleaned up. ((Update: The clip got rarer. It got pulled. Now you'll just have to imagine Pete playing with Procol Harum while watching this oldie.))
Anyway, this is one of those songs that makes one think of all those meaningful moments and conversations back in the dorm or at some post-college party on a rooftop somewhere overlooking the city. You're getting high and drunk and the world seems both frightening and inviting at the same time. You say everything as if it was the most important thing you'd ever say in your life and everyone is staring at you as if you descended from the mountain to share your wisdom. The girl across the room, the one with the long brown hair, dark eyes, and shy smile looks like someone you could spend the rest of your life with or at least the next day checking out records with her at Sounds and wondering what her lips taste like in the daylight.

Then, as the night goes on, and you smoke more or snort more your thoughts become less clear. Your mind is no longer some shining light there to provide warmth and humanity to others. Instead, you're just another rambling pothead, cokehead, junkie, looking to stay high when everyone else is looking to go home. That girl, she left with your friend an hour ago.

Anyway, enjoy the memories.

P.S. If you really want depressing, watch a stripper try to dance to this.