“Paint It, Black” is a song by The Rolling Stones, released as a single on May 7, 1966 and later included on their fourth studio album, “Aftermath.” The song is notable for its distinctive sitar riff played by Brian Jones, which gives it a unique and Eastern-inspired sound. “Paint It, Black” was released as a single in May 1966 and quickly climbed the charts. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and the UK Singles Chart.
Paint it Black Analysis
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 new born baby, it just happens every day
This is written from the viewpoint of a person who is depressed; he wants everything to turn black to match his mood. He is so depressed over the loss of his love that even the beautiful girls he sees does not help. The song seems to be about a lover who died: “I see a line of cars and they’re all painted black” – The hearse and limos.
“With flowers and my love both never to come back” – The flowers from the funeral and her in the hearse. He talks about his heart being black because of his loss.
I 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 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 settin' sun
My love will laugh with me before the mornin' comes
Here he is wishing that he could just forget the whole thing happened, she didn’t die, but realizes that won’t happen. The death was unexpected and could not have been foreseen. He believes he’ll be with her again when he dies.
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
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, 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 black
Yeah
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
That was the time of lots of acid. It has sitars on it. It’s like the beginnings of miserable psychedelia. That’s what the Rolling Stones started – maybe we should have a revival of that.
Mick Jagger on the song’s psychedelic sound
Personnel
- Mick Jagger – lead and harmony vocals; writer
- Keith Richards – harmony vocal; lead and acoustic guitars; writer
- Brian Jones – sitar, acoustic guitar
- Bill Wyman – bass, Hammond organ, maracas, cowbell
- Charlie Watts – drums, tambourine, castanets
- Jack Nitzsche – piano
- Dave Hassinger – sound engineer
- Andrew Loog Oldham – producer
“Paint it Black” was used as the theme song for Tour Of Duty[1], a CBS show about the Vietnam War that ran from 1987-1989. It is featured in the closing credits of the movie The Devil’s Advocate[2]. It is also heard at the end of Stanley Kubrick’s movie Full Metal Jacket[3], where it serves as an allegory of the sorrow of the sudden death in the song relating to the emotional death of the men in the film, and of all men in war. It was used in the movie Stir Of Echoes[4] with Kevin Bacon. In the movie, Bacon’s character hears the first few chords of it in a memory, but could not think of the song.
It drives him crazy through most of the movie. It has placed on many “best songs” lists including those by Rolling Stone, Vulture magazine, NME, and Pitchfork[5]. “Paint It Black” inspired almost four hundred covers. Some artists that have covered the song include Deep Purple, Vanessa Carlton, GOB, Tea Party, Jonny Lang, Face to Face, Earth Crisis, W.A.S.P., Rage, Glenn Tipton, Elliott Smith, Eternal Afflict, Anvil, Ciara, and Risa Song. “Paint It Black” is referenced in the second verse of the 1972 song “Thirteen” by Big Star.
It is a featured instrumental by Wednesday Addams in the Wednesday TV series (Season One).
Footnotes
- “Tour of Duty” is a television series that originally aired from 1987 to 1990, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. The show follows a group of young soldiers from diverse backgrounds as they navigate the challenges and horrors of the conflict in Southeast Asia. “Tour of Duty” is known for its gritty portrayal of the war, addressing themes such as camaraderie, the impact of war on individuals, and the moral complexities faced by soldiers. The series combines intense combat scenes with character-driven storytelling, providing a nuanced perspective on the Vietnam War. Notable for its realistic portrayal of the era, the show gained a dedicated fan base and has been praised for its authenticity. Created by Steve Duncan and L. Travis Clark, “Tour of Duty” remains a significant entry in the genre of military dramas. [Back]
- “The Devil’s Advocate” is a supernatural thriller film released in 1997, directed by Taylor Hackford. Starring Keanu Reeves as Kevin Lomax, a talented young lawyer, and Al Pacino as John Milton, a charismatic and enigmatic legal mentor, the film explores themes of morality, ambition, and the Faustian pact. Lomax, who is recruited by a prestigious New York law firm led by Milton, soon discovers the dark and sinister nature of his boss and the true identity of his clientele. As Lomax faces increasingly ethically challenging cases, he grapples with the consequences of his choices and the realization that his success may come at an unbearable cost. “The Devil’s Advocate” is known for its provocative storyline, intense performances, and a gripping exploration of the age-old conflict between good and evil. [Back]
- “Full Metal Jacket,” directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1987, is a war film that follows the experiences of U.S. Marine recruits through their brutal training at Parris Island and their deployment to Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. The film is known for its distinct two-part structure, with the first half focusing on the dehumanizing effects of military training under the ruthless Sergeant Hartman, played by R. Lee Ermey, and the second half delving into the psychological and physical toll of warfare in Vietnam. The central character, Private Joker, played by Matthew Modine, serves as a lens through which the audience witnesses the harsh realities of war and its impact on the human psyche. Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” is celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of the Vietnam War and its exploration of themes such as the dehumanizing nature of combat and the struggle to maintain one’s humanity in the face of war’s brutality. [Back]
- “Stir of Echoes” is a supernatural thriller film directed by David Koepp and released in 1999. Based on the novel by Richard Matheson, the movie stars Kevin Bacon as Tom Witzky, a skeptical and ordinary man who becomes haunted by disturbing visions after undergoing hypnosis at a neighborhood party. As Witzky’s psychic abilities intensify, he becomes obsessed with uncovering the mystery behind the apparitions and the disappearance of a missing girl in his neighborhood. The film combines elements of horror and psychological thriller, exploring themes of the paranormal and the impact of supernatural experiences on an individual’s life. Bacon delivers a compelling performance as a man grappling with the inexplicable, and the movie is praised for its suspenseful atmosphere and effective storytelling. [Back]
- “Rolling Stone” is a renowned American music and popular culture magazine founded in 1967. It has played a significant role in shaping music journalism and covers a broad spectrum of topics, including music, politics, and entertainment. “Vulture” magazine, part of the New York Magazine family, is an online platform that covers a wide range of cultural topics, including film, television, music, and more. Known for its in-depth analysis and cultural commentary, Vulture offers a diverse perspective on the arts. “NME” (New Musical Express) is a British music journalism magazine that has been a prominent voice in the music industry since 1952. NME covers a wide array of music genres and is recognized for its influence on the British music scene. “Pitchfork” is a digital music magazine that focuses on independent, alternative, and underground music. Launched in 1995, Pitchfork has gained a reputation for its detailed music reviews, features, and coverage of emerging artists, making it a key source for indie music enthusiasts. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- “Paint It Black” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_It_Black
- Rolling Stone. (2022). The Rolling Stones: Paint It, Black. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-rolling-stones-paint-it-black-91954/
- The Rolling Stones. (2022). The Rolling Stones Official Website. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstones.com/
- Duncan, S., & Clark, L. T. (Creators). (1987–1990). Tour of Duty [Television series]. United States: New World Television.
- Hackford, T. (Director). (1997). The Devil’s Advocate [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.
- “Behind the Song Meaning: How Brian Jones’ Sitar Transformed “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones” https://americansongwriter.com/paint-it-black-the-rolling-stones-behind-song-meaning/
- Kubrick, S. (Director). (1987). Full Metal Jacket [Motion picture]. United Kingdom: Warner Bros.
- Koepp, D. (Director). (1999). Stir of Echoes [Motion picture]. United States: Artisan Entertainment.
- Rolling Stone. (n.d.). https://www.rollingstone.com/
- Vulture. (n.d.). https://www.vulture.com/
- NME. (n.d.). https://www.nme.com/
- Pitchfork. (n.d.). https://pitchfork.com/
- “Paint It Black” https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/41035/
- “Paint It Black” https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-rolling-stones/paint-it-black
