Released in 1966, “Paint It Black” initially appeared as a single in 1966 and later became the opening track of the U.S. version of their album Aftermath. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and reached the number one spot on both the U.S. and the U.K. charts the year of its release. Later on, it ranked number 174 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. There has been much speculation about the meaning of the lyrics-ranging from depression to funeral processions, the Vietnam War to being under the influence of psychedelic drugs. You can see the video here.
The song starts off with: “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.” Some of the best interpretations conclude that it is about a man battling his own feelings of despair. The Rolling Stones are still touring…check out Stubhub and find your own pair of Rolling Stones tickets today to see this classic rock band “paint the town black.”
Posted in Uncategorized on June 24, 2009
