Paint It Black

The Rolling Stones

About Paint It Black

"Paint It Black" (originally released as "Paint It, Black") is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. Jointly credited to the songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it was first released as a single on 7 May 1966, and later included as the opening track to the US version of their 1966 album Aftermath."Paint It Black" reached number one in both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The song became the Rolling Stones' third number-one hit single in the US and sixth in the UK. Since its initial release, the song has remained influential as the first number-one hit featuring a sitar, particularly in the UK, where it has charted on two other occasions, and has been the subject of multiple cover versions, compilation albums, and film appearances. 


Year:
1969
3:23
1,855 
#2

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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 ev'ry day

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 facin' 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

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

I want to see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I want to see the sun, blotted out from the sky
I want to see it painted, painted, painted, painted black
Yeah! Hmm, hmm, hmm

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The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in Dartford in 1962. The earliest settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Since Wyman's retirement in 1993, the band's full members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975. Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) are regular contributors but not full band members. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Rolling Stones in 1989, noting that "critical acclaim and popular consensus has accorded them the title of the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 4… more »

26 fans

Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Paint It Black" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Rolling Stones respectively. Bill Wyman, the band's bassist, has also claimed to have contributed to the song's melody.
Release and Success
Released as a single on 6th May 1966, "Paint It Black" reached number one in both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's third number one hit in the USA.
Chart Success
The song managed to maintain its number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for consecutive 11 weeks.
Song Meaning
The lyrics of the song are said to reflect a severe depression or sadness, with some speculating it's about the death of a loved one, though the band has never confirmed this.
Pop Culture Impact
"Paint It Black" was featured in several movies and TV series. The most famous include 'Full Metal Jacket,' 'The Devil's Advocate,' and 'Westworld.'
Unique Sound
The song is distinctive for its sound, mainly stemming from Brian Jones' sitar playing, which was unusual for rock music at that time. It is sometimes credited as one of the first pop songs to feature the sitar.
Song Variation
The single's original version had no comma in the title and was written as "Paint It Black." However, the band's record company mistakenly added a comma, making it "Paint It, Black" on the release.
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered "Paint It Black," including Eric Burdon & The Animals, Deep Purple, U2, and The Black Dahlia Murder, showing the song's lasting impact and popularity.
Awards and Recognition
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed "Paint It Black" at number 176 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The Album
"Paint It Black" was included in the U.S. version of the Rolling Stones' fourth studio album, "Aftermath" released in 1966. The UK version didn't feature the song.
Timeless Appeal
Even after decades since its release, "Paint It Black" remains one of The Rolling Stones' globally recognized songs, often played at their live performances.
Live Performance
The first live performance of the song by the Rolling Stones was at the Eighth Annual Sanremo Festival in Sanremo, Italy on 27th January 1967.
First Appearance
The song first appeared on the 'Billboard Hot 100 chart' on 21 May 1966 and remained there for 14 weeks.
Certification
"Paint It Black" has received several certifications, including a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

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