Paint It, Black

See the world turn black with The Rolling Stones' "Paint It, Black"! This iconic 1966 single masterfully fused rock with dark Psychedelic and unforgettable Raga rock elements. Featuring Brian Jones' legendary sitar riff and a driving, urgent rhythm, its intense sound became a worldwide #1 hit classic.

Released as a groundbreaking single in 1966, "Paint It, Black" showcased The Rolling Stones' musical experimentation during a highly creative period. Written by Jagger/Richards, the track prominently incorporated a droning sitar part played by Brian Jones, giving it a distinctive Raga rock flavor within its driving Psychedelic rock structure. This fusion was highly innovative for Western pop music at the time, creating a uniquely dark and mesmerizing atmosphere.

"Paint It, Black" stormed charts globally, becoming a defining song of 1966 and cementing The Rolling Stones' status as versatile rock innovators. Its urgent tempo, haunting sitar melody, and Mick Jagger's intense vocal delivery create an unparalleled atmosphere of angst and despair. Frequently used in film and television, often to evoke the Vietnam War era or turbulent times, its power ensures its lasting legacy.

SONG MEANING: "Paint It, Black" is a powerful expression of overwhelming grief, depression, and despair, likely following the loss of a lover. The singer sees color and vibrancy in the world ("red door," "girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes") but feels utterly disconnected due to their intense inner darkness, wishing everything external would turn black to mirror their bleak emotional state ("I look inside myself and see my heart is black").