Procol Harum "Shine On Brightly"

Shine On Brightly is the second studio album by English rock band Procol Harum, released in 1968 by record labels Regal Zonophone and A&M.

It is considered an early example of progressive rock.

The title of the nearly side-long suite "In Held 'Twas in I" is an acrostic. It is formed by taking the first word of the lyrics in each of the first four movements as well as the first word of the sixth verse in the first movement:

"In the darkness of the night..." From movement 1, "Glimpses of Nirvana"
"Held close by that which some despise..." From the sixth verse of movement 1
"′Twas tea-time at the circus..." From movement 2, "′Twas Teatime at the Circus"
"In the autumn of my madness..." From movement 3, "In the Autumn of My Madness"

"I know if I'd been wiser..." From movement 4, "Look to Your Soul"

Shine On Brightly was released in September 1968 by record labels Regal Zonophone and A&M. The original British and North American versions of the opening two tracks ("Quite Rightly So" and "Shine On Brightly") are different versions.


The album was reissued several times, including a 2009 remaster using the original 2-track stereo masters and featuring bonus B-sides and alternate takes. However, many of the tracks are played at a higher speed. Subsequent reissues have been at the correct speed.