About the Song
The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” is a groundbreaking song that ushered in a new era of rock and roll. Released in 1966, it marked a departure from the band’s earlier blues-based sound, embracing a darker, more experimental approach.
The song’s haunting melody, combined with the insistent rhythm and Mick Jagger’s raw vocal delivery, creates a powerful and unsettling atmosphere. The lyrics, filled with imagery of darkness and despair, reflect the turbulent times of the mid-1960s. The song’s use of Eastern-inspired instrumentation, such as the sitar, was revolutionary for its time and added to the song’s exotic and mysterious quality.
Beyond its musical innovation, “Paint It Black” has become a cultural touchstone. It’s a song that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and despair. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its raw emotional power and its ability to connect with listeners on a deep level.
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Lyrics: Paint It Black
I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colours anymore, I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by, dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goesI see a line of cars and they’re all painted black
With flowers and my love both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Like a newborn baby, it just happens every dayI look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door, I must have it painted black
Maybe then I’ll fade away and not have to face the facts
It’s not easy facing up when your whole world is blackNo more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me before the morning comesI see a red door and I want it painted black
No colours anymore, I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by, dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goesHmm, hmm, hmm…
I wanna see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted blackYeah!
Hmm, hmm, hmm…