Paint It, Black

"Paint It, Black" is one of the Stones' best songs. It truly is a gem, and a delightful encapsulation of all that the Rolling Stones have been and will be. There are many aspects of this song to mention: the antisocial mood in the lyrics (e.g.the cranky, angry, vicious-almost violent vocals from Jagger) and all layers of a surprisingly hypnotic oriental sound make the song sound like a dervish spin.

Inspired by more experimentation around arrangement and their desire to write all their songs, Aftermath is a breakthrough album by The Rolling Stones. “Paint It, Black” has colored some of the band's new musical canvas, but it remains a lyrical mystery. The song is written from the point of view of someone suffering from depression; Mick Jagger wants everything to turn black to match his mood. There is no specific inspiration for the lyrics. There was never any obvious meaning conveyed in the song, once said by Mick Jagger.

The Rolling Stones used the instrument to a much more dramatic effect on this 1966 single. "Paint It, Black" is one of the bleakest - and best - songs in their catalog. It topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic and was the featured song on the American version of the group's 1966 album Aftermath. The single represents the Stones' deepest foray into psychedelics; ushered in a brief era that is still divisive among the band's fans, but that will eventually yield some of their best recordings.

Singer: The Rolling Stones