About the song
Released in 1966 as the second single from The Rolling Stones’ album Aftermath, “Paint It Black” stands as one of the band’s most iconic and emotionally charged tracks. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song blends rock, psychedelia, and Indian influences, creating a unique sound that matches its dark, introspective themes. A deep dive into grief, loss, and the desire to escape overwhelming emotions, “Paint It Black” remains one of the most powerful songs in rock history.
The song opens with an instantly recognizable sitar riff, played by Brian Jones, which immediately sets the tone for the track’s psychedelic and Indian-inspired sound. The sitar’s rich, droning quality, paired with the steady beat provided by Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman, creates a hypnotic atmosphere that feels both haunting and urgent. Mick Jagger’s vocals, filled with a sense of raw emotion and anguish, perfectly capture the narrator’s sense of loss and despair as he sings, “I see a red door and I want it painted black. No colors anymore, I want them to turn black.“
Lyrically, “Paint It Black” explores the emotional devastation of losing someone close, particularly in the context of grief and heartache. The narrator expresses his desire to escape the pain of the loss by transforming the world around him—symbolically wishing to “paint it black,” as if to blot out all the joy, color, and life that remind him of the sadness he is enduring. The line “I look inside myself and see my heart is black” reflects the narrator’s inner turmoil, a realization that he is consumed by darkness and emotional despair. The narrator’s inability to see the world in any other way, coupled with the recurring refrain of “I want to paint it all black,” highlights the depth of the grief and emotional numbness he is experiencing.
The song’s theme of grief is universal, resonating with anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one or faced profound emotional trauma. The desire to escape the pain and transform the world to reflect the inner emotional void is a poignant and deeply relatable sentiment. The repeated desire to make the world “black” is a metaphor for shutting out the overwhelming feelings of sadness and loss, and the song captures that emotional struggle with striking intensity.
Musically, “Paint It Black” stands out for its fusion of rock and Eastern musical influences, particularly the use of the sitar, which gives the song its distinctive sound. The driving rhythm of the song, with its strong bassline and steady drums, propels the track forward with a sense of urgency, while the sitar adds a layer of exoticism and complexity. This blend of Western rock and Indian instrumentation was groundbreaking at the time and helped define The Rolling Stones’ ability to experiment with new sounds and ideas. The powerful guitar work from Keith Richards, especially during the instrumental break, provides an emotional counterpoint to the somber tone of the song, further highlighting the narrator’s internal conflict.
Upon its release, “Paint It Black” became one of The Rolling Stones’ most successful singles, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and #1 on the UK Singles Chart. It marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career, showcasing their ability to blend rock, psychedelic, and world music influences into a sound that was both innovative and emotionally compelling. The song’s success helped solidify The Rolling Stones’ reputation as one of the most influential rock bands of the era.
The legacy of “Paint It Black” continues to endure. The song has been widely covered and featured in various films, television shows, and commercials, often used to evoke a sense of darkness, emotional conflict, or grief. Its timeless appeal lies in its emotional depth and the universality of its themes. “Paint It Black” remains a defining moment in The Rolling Stones’ catalog, showcasing their ability to channel raw emotional energy through innovative and powerful music.
Today, “Paint It Black” is considered one of The Rolling Stones’ greatest songs, a defining track of 1960s rock that continues to resonate with listeners for its emotional intensity and its striking blend of musical influences. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting it decades later, “Paint It Black” stands as a powerful anthem of grief, loss, and the overwhelming nature of deep emotional turmoil. It remains an enduring testament to The Rolling Stones’ ability to capture the complexity of the human experience through music.