Paint It Black
The Rolling Stones · Grrr! [2012]
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 has 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 forsee 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
Hmm, hmm, hmm...
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
Yeah
Paint It Black
The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" stands as a definitive rock anthem, blending blues and psychedelic influences into a hauntingly atmospheric sound. Originally recorded in 1966, the track features a distinctive electric guitar solo that became a signature element of the band's mid-1960s catalog. While the song has appeared on various reissues and compilations over the decades, its enduring legacy lies in its ability to capture the melancholic mood of the era without relying on explicit lyrical content. The composition remains a staple of rock history, frequently covered by artists across genres and celebrated for its innovative use of reverb and feedback. Its inclusion on later collections highlights its status as a timeless recording that transcends its original release date.