The famous “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones is considered by many to be one of the most mysterious compositions of the legendary rock band. For fans of the group, it causes different associations.
For some, it’s a song about the Vietnam War. Others see in it allusions to the confrontation with the communists, the Catholic religion, visiting brothels and something else. Interestingly, the Rolling Stones didn’t tell too little about the history of the song’s creation, but at the same time, their explanations did not shed much light on its true meaning.
The story of creation Paint It Black
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are believed to be the authors of Paint It Black, although there is an opinion that other members of the group also helped to compose the song. Where they drew their inspiration from is anyone’s guess, but sources include legendary musician Bob Dylan, occult writer Dennis Wheatley, and avant-garde artist Ed Reinhard.
From the lyrics of the song Paint It Black, you can understand that it is performed on behalf of a man whose beloved has died. The bright colors of the surrounding world are so out of harmony with his condition that he wants to paint over everything black.
Where did the other interpretations of Paint It Black come from? They appeared because of the desire of the band’s fans to find an explanation for literally every word. Really, what red door is Mick Jagger singing about? Does it lead to a church, a brothel, or does it refer us to the red Soviet flag? Decide for yourself. It is possible that there is nothing behind these words at all.
Paint It Black was associated with Vietnam only in the late 1980s, when it featured in the Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket and the Vietnam War television series Tour of Duty. However, many American veterans who took part in the hostilities recall that for them the song had a special meaning even during their service, as it accurately reflected the mood that reigned in their ranks.
Musically, Paint It Black is remembered, first of all, by Brian Jones playing the sitar. He became interested in this oriental instrument after visiting George Harrison. According to Keith Richards, it was “Brian’s playing the sitar that did the whole song”.
Recording and release
Paint It Black was released in May 1966 as the first single from the Aftermath album. She soon topped the US and UK charts. A new wave of success awaited the song in 1990, when it reappeared on the charts in several countries.
Rolling Stone ranked Paint It Black at number 176 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Video Paint It Black
Check out the music video for “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones.
Meaning of “Paint it black” by The Rolling Stones
The composition “Paint it black” (“Paint it black”) of the legendary band “The Rolling Stones” is called by listeners one of the band’s most mysterious songs. Fans of the artists’ creativity express different opinions regarding the true meaning of the track. However, in the heart of every listener, the song “Paint it black” leaves its unforgettable imprint. Some fans of the work of The Rolling Stone are sure that this composition tells about the hostilities that unfolded in Vietnam. Other listeners catch the confrontation of various political currents in the song. To understand the deep meaning of a poignant song, it is necessary to analyze the verses and chorus.
Dark tones, gloomy atmosphere, despair and dead end. The song “Paint it black” is difficult to divide into its component parts. The composition is thoroughly saturated with doubts and hopelessness. In the first part of the song, The Rolling Stones sings about a lyrical hero who dreams of completely changing his life. His desire is irresistible. He can no longer look at the injustice that reigns around him. And this is not just a momentary whim. This is a sensible, balanced decision. “I want to paint my door black.” Black color. This is a shade of sadness, grief, emptiness. The lyrical hero no longer believes in a brighter future. He wants to abstract from a society that is mired in squabbles and deceit. For many people, betrayal has become the norm. The character no longer wants and cannot exist like this.
In the second part of the composition, the lyrical hero talks about his inner experiences. “I look out the window and the cars are all black.” And again he notices only darkness, hopelessness and emptiness. But why did the character’s life lose its bright colors, faded. He no longer notices reasons for joy. A huge black cloud formed over his head, which could burst into heavy rain at any moment. Perhaps after that he will again feel like a happy person, and his life will be filled with joy and pleasant moments. Just not now. He’s not ready for this yet. The hero needs to suffer everything that has accumulated in his soul.
In the third part of the song, we understand that the hero had an event in his life that left an indelible imprint on his entire future destiny. “I look into myself and see a black color in my heart.” His inner harmony is completely broken. He no longer trusts anyone and trusts. Even to yourself. It is very important in moments of despair to have a person next to you who you could rely on. But the lyrical hero has no friends who could lend a helping hand to him. He is completely alone. The feeling of loneliness “eats” him from the inside. He wants to get rid of his obsessive thoughts and fears as soon as possible. The point of “Paint it black” is to show listeners how damaging negative emotions can be. “It’s hard to live when your world is immersed in darkness.” The lyrical hero seems to have fallen into a labyrinth from which he cannot get out. He is morally broken, depressed. His decadent state of mind reached unprecedented proportions. But how to find a way out of this state? Can he help himself?
In the fourth part of the composition, the lyrical hero gives answers to questions. He suffers because of the girl who treated him meanly. He loved her, but for her it was just a game. The character sincerely hoped that their relationship was built on mutual trust and respect. But he was wrong. He lost not only all-consuming love, but also the further meaning of life. It was as if he had been placed in a vacuum. Everything around is black, gloomy and unpromising. But will the hero agree to a boring and dull existence. Perhaps he will reassess his values and understand that not a single person deserves to put an end to his further development. You can’t break your life after an experienced betrayal.
Interesting Facts
- Paint It Black is one of the early songs of The Rolling Stones, the rights to which are fully owned by their former manager Allen Klein.
- The record company Decca made a mistake in writing the name with a comma – Paint It, Black, which changed its meaning (“Paint it black” instead of “Paint it black”).
- Paint It Black is featured in the movie The Devil’s Advocate.
- The Animals performed Paint It Black at the Monterey Rock Festival.
Paint It Black The Rolling Stones Lyrics
I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors 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 goes
I 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 ev’ryday
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and it’s been 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 black
No 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 comes
I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors 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 goes
I wanna see it painted black, 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 black
Paint It Black The Rolling Stones lyrics Alternative
I see a red door and I want to paint it black
No more colors, I want them to turn black
I see girls in summer dresses passing by
I have to turn away until the sullenness leaves me
I see a line of cars and they’re all black
With flowers and my love that will never return
I see people turn in my direction and quickly look away
Like the birth of a baby, it happens every day
I look inside myself and see my heart has turned black
I see my red door and it’s been painted black too
Maybe then I’ll waste away and not have to face the facts
It’s not easy to take them when your whole world is black
Never again will my green sea turn dark blue
I couldn’t have foreseen that something like this would happen to you.
If I gaze hard enough into the setting sun,
My love will laugh with me until the dawn
I see a red door and I want to paint it black
No more colors, I want them to turn black
I see girls in summer dresses passing by
I have to turn away until the sullenness leaves me
I want it all blacked out, blacked out
Black as night, black as coal
I want the sun in the sky filled with ink
I want it painted over, painted over, painted over, painted over black
