Lyrics To Paint It Black By The Rolling Stones
Introduction
"Paint It Black" is one of the most popular songs by the English rock band, The Rolling Stones. The song was released in 1966 and quickly became a worldwide hit. It has been covered by many artists and used in various movies and TV shows. The song features a dark and moody melody, along with meaningful lyrics that address themes of grief and loss. In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of "Paint It Black" and explore their meaning.
The Opening Verse
"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"
The opening verse of "Paint It Black" sets the tone for the song. The speaker is describing a world that is full of color, yet he wants everything to be painted black. The use of color here is symbolic, representing the speaker's emotional state. He is in a dark place, consumed by grief and loss. The mention of the girls in summer clothes highlights the contrast between the speaker's inner turmoil and the bright, sunny world around him. He has to turn away from it all in order to cope with his pain.
The Chorus
"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 every day"
The chorus of "Paint It Black" is perhaps the most well-known part of the song. It describes a funeral procession, with the cars and flowers all painted black. The speaker is mourning the loss of someone he loves, and the people around him seem to be avoiding the subject. The mention of the newborn baby is interesting, as it suggests that life goes on even in the face of death. The speaker is overwhelmed by his grief, but the world around him keeps turning.
The Second Verse
"I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and must have it 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"
The second verse of "Paint It Black" is introspective, with the speaker looking inside himself and realizing that his heart is also black. He is consumed by his grief and wants to hide from the world. The mention of the red door once again highlights the speaker's desire to turn everything black. He hopes that by doing so, he can fade away and avoid facing the reality of his situation.
The Bridge
"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 every day"
The bridge of "Paint It Black" repeats the chorus, emphasizing the speaker's grief and the way the world seems to be moving on without him. The repetition of these lines adds to the song's overall sense of despair and hopelessness.
The Outro
"I wanna see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black
Yeah"
The outro of "Paint It Black" repeats the desire to see everything painted black. The speaker is consumed by his grief and wants to shut out the world. The repetition of the word "painted" adds to the song's sense of finality, as if the speaker has made up his mind and there is no turning back.
Conclusion
"Paint It Black" is a powerful song that has resonated with many people over the years. The lyrics are simple, yet meaningful, addressing themes of grief and loss in a way that is universal. The use of color throughout the song is symbolic, representing the speaker's emotional state and his desire to turn everything black. The song's popularity is a testament to the enduring power of The Rolling Stones and their ability to create music that speaks to our deepest emotions.