Meaning and Lyrics of Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones

Song Lyrics meaning of Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones

About The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones, a name synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll rebellion, have cemented their legacy as one of the greatest and longest-lasting bands in music history. Formed in London in 1962, the core lineup features the dynamic duo of Mick Jagger’s unmistakable vocals and Keith Richards’ signature guitar riffs. Alongside them, drummer Charlie Watts’ steady rhythms and bassist Bill Wyman’s tight grooves crafted a sound that defined generations. From their early days playing blues covers in clubs, The Rolling Stones quickly evolved, with their raw energy and bad-boy image setting them apart. Their early hits like “Satisfaction” and “Gimme Shelter” captured the angst and chaos of the 1960s. But it was tracks like “Paint It, Black” that showcased their versatility and willingness to push musical boundaries. Released in 1966, this haunting song stood out with its distinct sitar riff, blending rock with Eastern influences and delving into themes of grief and existential dread. Beyond their legendary catalog, The Rolling Stones’ influence stretches across fashion, culture, and even politics, becoming a symbol of rebellion and artistic freedom. Despite numerous lineup changes and shifting musical landscapes, the band has endured, consistently filling arenas and releasing new material well into the 21st century. Whether it’s through their groundbreaking albums or electrifying live performances, The Rolling Stones remain the epitome of rock ‘n’ roll cool—unapologetically raw, timelessly stylish, and eternally influential.

Meaning of Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones

“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones is a song that delves into themes of darkness, loss, and introspection. The repeated desire to have everything painted black suggests a deep emotional state of mourning and despair. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world devoid of color, symbolizing a sense of emptiness and loss, possibly stemming from a significant personal or emotional event.

The red door mentioned in the song could symbolize a desire for change or closure, as the protagonist wishes to have it painted black, a color often associated with mourning and grief. The reference to the girls walking by in their summer clothes juxtaposes the lively scene with the narrator’s inner turmoil, emphasizing a sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around them.

The line of cars painted black, along with the mention of both flowers and love never coming back, could represent a sense of loss and finality, perhaps referring to the end of a relationship or the passing of a loved one. The reluctance of people to acknowledge the narrator’s pain mirrors the feeling of alienation and being misunderstood.

The introspective verses reflect a struggle with inner darkness and a desire to escape from reality. The idea of fading away by painting everything black could suggest a wish to numb the pain or avoid confronting difficult truths. The reference to the green sea turning a deeper blue and the setting sun hint at a melancholic acceptance of change and the passage of time.

The outro intensifies the longing for darkness, with a yearning to blot out the sun and immerse everything in blackness. This desire for total immersion in darkness may signify a desire to retreat from the world or to not have to face the realities of life.

Overall, “Paint It, Black” conveys a complex emotional landscape, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and introspection. The repetition of the desire for everything to be painted black symbolizes a profound emotional state and a struggle to come to terms with difficult circumstances.

Lyrics of Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones

Instrumental Intro

Verse 1
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 goes

Verse 2
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 every day

Verse 3
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

Verse 4
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

Verse 1
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 goes

Outro
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

Discography The Rolling Stones

Hackney Diamonds (Live Edition)

Release: 2023-12-15
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Angry
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven
12. Rolling Stone Blues
13. Shattered – Live at Racket, NYC
14. Angry – Live at Racket, NYC
15. Whole Wide World – Live at Racket, NYC
16. Tumbling Dice – Live at Racket, NYC
17. Bite My Head Off – Live at Racket, NYC
18. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Live at Racket, NYC
19. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven – Live at Racket, NYC
Tracklist Collapse

Hackney Diamonds

Release: 2023-10-20
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Angry
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven (feat. Lady Gaga)
12. Rolling Stone Blues
Tracklist Collapse

Forty Licks

Release: 2023-07-26
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Street Fighting Man – 50th Anniversary Edition / Remastered 2018
2. Gimme Shelter – Remastered 2019
3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Mono
4. The Last Time – Mono
5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
6. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Remastered 2019
7. 19th Nervous Breakdown – Mono
8. Under My Thumb
9. Not Fade Away – Mono
10. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? – Mono
11. Sympathy For The Devil – 50th Anniversary Edition / Remastered 2018
12. Mother’s Little Helper – Mono
13. She’s A Rainbow
14. Get Off Of My Cloud – Mono
15. Wild Horses
16. Ruby Tuesday
17. Paint It, Black
18. Honky Tonk Women
19. It’s All Over Now
20. Let’s Spend The Night Together
21. Start Me Up – Remastered 2009
22. Brown Sugar – Remastered 2009
23. Miss You – Remastered
24. Beast Of Burden – 2009 Mix
25. Don’t Stop
26. Happy – 2009 Mix
27. Angie – Remastered 2009
28. You Got Me Rocking – Remastered 2009
29. Shattered – Remastered 2023
30. Fool To Cry – Remastered 2009
31. Love Is Strong – Remastered 2009
32. Mixed Emotions – Remastered 2009
33. Key To Your Love – Remastered 2023
34. Anybody Seen My Baby? – Remastered 2023
35. Stealing My Heart – Remastered 2023
36. Tumbling Dice – 2009 Mix
37. Undercover (Of The Night) – Remastered 2009
38. Emotional Rescue – Remastered 2009
39. It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It) – Remastered 2009
40. Losin’ My Touch – Remastered 2023
Tracklist Collapse

Upcoming Events for The Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds '24

Price Range: $31.5 – 949
Date: 2024-07-17
Location: Levi’s® Stadium

Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds '24

Price Range: $69.5 – 600
Date: 2024-07-10
Location: SoFi Stadium

Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds '24

Price Range: $69.5 – 600
Date: 2024-07-13
Location: SoFi Stadium
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Hackney Diamonds (Live Edition)

Release: 2023-12-15
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Angry
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven
12. Rolling Stone Blues
13. Shattered – Live at Racket, NYC
14. Angry – Live at Racket, NYC
15. Whole Wide World – Live at Racket, NYC
16. Tumbling Dice – Live at Racket, NYC
17. Bite My Head Off – Live at Racket, NYC
18. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Live at Racket, NYC
19. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven – Live at Racket, NYC
Tracklist Collapse

Hackney Diamonds

Release: 2023-10-20
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Angry
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven (feat. Lady Gaga)
12. Rolling Stone Blues
Tracklist Collapse

Forty Licks

Release: 2023-07-26
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Street Fighting Man – 50th Anniversary Edition / Remastered 2018
2. Gimme Shelter – Remastered 2019
3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Mono
4. The Last Time – Mono
5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
6. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Remastered 2019
7. 19th Nervous Breakdown – Mono
8. Under My Thumb
9. Not Fade Away – Mono
10. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? – Mono
11. Sympathy For The Devil – 50th Anniversary Edition / Remastered 2018
12. Mother’s Little Helper – Mono
13. She’s A Rainbow
14. Get Off Of My Cloud – Mono
15. Wild Horses
16. Ruby Tuesday
17. Paint It, Black
18. Honky Tonk Women
19. It’s All Over Now
20. Let’s Spend The Night Together
21. Start Me Up – Remastered 2009
22. Brown Sugar – Remastered 2009
23. Miss You – Remastered
24. Beast Of Burden – 2009 Mix
25. Don’t Stop
26. Happy – 2009 Mix
27. Angie – Remastered 2009
28. You Got Me Rocking – Remastered 2009
29. Shattered – Remastered 2023
30. Fool To Cry – Remastered 2009
31. Love Is Strong – Remastered 2009
32. Mixed Emotions – Remastered 2009
33. Key To Your Love – Remastered 2023
34. Anybody Seen My Baby? – Remastered 2023
35. Stealing My Heart – Remastered 2023
36. Tumbling Dice – 2009 Mix
37. Undercover (Of The Night) – Remastered 2009
38. Emotional Rescue – Remastered 2009
39. It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It) – Remastered 2009
40. Losin’ My Touch – Remastered 2023
Tracklist Collapse
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