Pr0col H@rum - 1969 - A S@lty D0g

A Salty Dog/Juicy John Pink/Too Much Between Us/Wreck of the Hesperus


Procol Harum are an English rock band formed in 1967. They contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which is considered a classic of popular music and is one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies. Although noted for its baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music also embraces the blues, R&B and soul.

"A Salty Dog" is a song by the British progressive rock band Procol Harum. Written by Gary Brooker and Keith Reid, it was released as the lead single off the band's 1969 album A Salty Dog. 

The song's lyrics were written by Keith Reid and its music was written by Gary Brooker, who also sang. It was featured on the band's 1969 album, A Salty Dog. Reid's lyrics describe sailors crossing the unknown seas. The string arrangement recalls Frédéric Chopin. The song is reportedly one of Reid's favourites.

"A Salty Dog" peaked at #44 on the UK Singles Chart The song was generally well received by music critics. Matthew Greenwald of Allmusic praised the narrative as "brilliant" and carried by "an expansive melody and epic performance from the entire band." The string arrangement was "fabulous" and "only adds grandeur to the song and recording, making this one of the group's most fully realized moments." Perhaps the greatest praise came from Melody Maker's Chris Welch, who called it  "their finest hour" and "one of the greatest pop singles to emerge in recent years." He added, "The tune is beautiful, the arrangement brilliant, the performance perfect."