Peak
34
Weeks
5
Score
582
Chart Year
1967
The words to this song were written by lyricist Keith Reid and the music by lead singer Gary Brooker. In a radio interview with DJ Harry Harrison, Brooker said the words came from Reid's experiences and only he knows what they mean. However he didn't think they meant anything literally. Instead if you take each line the way the words are used, they create little feelings, little moods. (courtesy: procolharum.com) The Homburg is an elegant black felt hat manufactured at Bad Homburg, Germany. The British version was introduced in the late 19th century by the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII of England, who first came across it when he went to Germany for the spa. In the late 1930s during the run up to the Second World War, the British foreign minister Anthony Eden became renowned for wearing the Homburg. This was the follow up to Procol Harum's most famous hit, "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." (For much more Procol, check out our interviews with lyricist Keith Reid and lead singer Gary Brooker.)
Your multilingual business friend Has packed her bags and fled Leaving only ash-filled ashtrays And the lipsticked unmade bed The mirror on reflection Has climbed back upon the wall For the floor she found descended And the ceiling was too tall Your trouser cuffs are dirty And your shoes are laced up wrong You'd better take off your homburg 'Cause your overcoat is too long The town clock in the market square Stands waiting for the hour When its hands they both turn backwards And on meeting will devour Both themselves and also any fool Who dares to tell the time And the sun and moon will shatter And the signposts cease to sign Your trouser cuffs are dirty And your shoes are laced up wrong You'd better take off your homburg 'Cause your overcoat is too long Your trouser cuffs are dirty And your shoes are laced up wrong You'd better take off your homburg 'Cause your overcoat is too long Oh, your trouser cuffs are dirty And your shoes are laced up wrong You'd better take off your Homburg 'Cause your overcoat is too long Your trouser cuffs are dirty Writer/s: GARY BROOKER, KEIT
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 28, 1967 | 66 | 60 |
| 2 | Nov 4, 1967 | 47 | 79 |
| 3 | Nov 11, 1967 | 37 | 89 |
| 4 | Nov 18, 1967 | 34 | 92 |
| 5 | Nov 25, 1967 | 51 | 75 |