Lyrics of
Paint it Black

Paint it, Black, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and released by The Rolling Stones in 1966, explores themes of grief and despair, inspired by the death of Marianne Faithfulls first boyfriend, who was a close friend of Jagger. The songs melancholy is enhanced by Brian Jones innovative use of the sitar, contributing to the tracks enduring popularity.

I see a red door and I want it painted black.
No colours 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 newborn baby it just happens every 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 facing up when your whole world is black.

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue.
I could not forsee this thing happening to you.
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes.

I see a red door and I want it painted black.
No colours 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 wanna see it painted, painted black, black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black, yeah