Raga Rock

The song “Paint it Black” was written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Speculations on the meaning of the lyrics range from a view of depression to grief over a lover who has died unexpectedly to Jagger saying that there was no particular inspiration for the song. It had been more of a slower soul song, but Bill Wyman followed around on the organ and Charlie Watts improvised a double-tie drum pattern, which made it more upbeat vs. the sad lyrics. Jagger has gone on to say, “That was the time of lots of acid. It as sitars on it. It’s like the beginnings of miserable psychedelia. That’s what The Rolling Stones started — maybe we should have a revival of that.” It has also noted as among the beginnings of raga rock and psychedelic sixties music. Well, whatever these bad boys were up to, the track does have a sitar on it because Brian Jones became interested in Eastern instruments, particularly the sitar. He felt one could bend the strings on it more than on a guitar. (Besides, Beatle George Harrison had been experimenting with the sitar as well –not to mention Ravi Shankar.) Jack Nitzsche played keyboards.

“Paint it Black” was first released as a single (originally with the title “Paint It, Black”) in 1966. It was later released on the U.S. version of their 1966 album Aftermath. It went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the U.K. Singles Chart, in Canada, and in The Netherlands. It was #2 in Austria, Finland, and Germany. The song also appeared on numerous compilation albums.

The Rolling Stones formed in London, England, in 1962. For this track, they were Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts. There have been many changes in the lineup over the years. The Rolling Stones have continued to tour and perform for many decades.

Here are the lyrics for “Paint it Black” by The Rolling Stones:

“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”

If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by The Rolling Stones: “Mother’s Little Helper.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Paint it Black” by The Rolling Stones.