Some say that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were then on an introspective writing streak partly influenced by Bob Dylan’s work. “Paint It Black” is about a man whose lover has died, and is beside himself with grief, seeing his whole world “painted black.” He even wants the sun “blotted out.” He’s depressed, feeling down, worthless, and without direction or connection. The Rolling Stones by this time already had two big breakthrough hits in 1965 - “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” and “Get Off of My Cloud” - along with two top albums that year Out of Our Heads and December’s Children. Their third album Aftermath, which included “Paint It Black” in the U.S version, was also a hit. I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black I wanna see the sun, blotted out from the sky I wanna see it painted black, painted black My love will laugh with me before the morning comes If I look hard enough into the setting sun I could not forsee this thing happening to you No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue It’s not easy facing up when your whole world is black Maybe then I’ll fade away and not have to face the facts I see my red door and it has been painted black I look inside myself and see my heart is black Like a newborn baby it just happens ev’ryday I see people turn their heads and quickly look away With flowers and my love, both never to come back I see a line of cars and they’re all painted black I have to turn my head until my darkness goes I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes No colors anymore I want them to turn black I see a red door and I want it painted black The song became popular throughout Europe and around the world.

It remained in the Top 40 for ten weeks through the summer. in late May, holding the top position for two weeks or so. Released as a single, the record reached No.

“Paint It Black,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, is not a happy tune in its lyrics, but in 1966 its musical appeal pushed it to the top of the pop charts. It was one of those hard-driving rock ‘n roll tunes from this raucous new group that was catching on in a big way. About that time as well, around mid-May 1966, a new song titled “Paint It Black” by the British rock group the Rolling Stones, began to be heard across the U.S. In music, the Beach Boys had released their Pet Sounds album, and Bob Dylan his Blonde on Blonde album. Young Rolling Stones shown on German single, 1966. Louis Cardinals, had opened there earlier that spring. In the world of boxing, late May, Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, would knock out the U.K.’s Henry Cooper in a six-round heavyweight match in London. Louis on May 25th, 1966. Busch Stadium, home to baseball’s St. Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall dedicated the new Gateway Arch in St. In America, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey and U.S. In Vietnam, meanwhile, the military government of South Vietnam under Premier Ky was doing battle with Buddhist rebels in Da Nang in mid-May. China at this time had made its Cultural Revolution pronouncement.ĭespite these woes, the day-to-day rhythms of life went on as normal throughout much of the world. involvement in Vietnam, had given his famous “Arrogance of Power” speech at Johns Hopkins University, critical of the “might-makes-right” approach and more, aimed squarely at the U.S. William Fulbright (D-AR), one of the few Senators challenging U.S. troop strength had reached 200,000 by then, and draft quotas at home had doubled.Įarlier that spring, in April, U.S. In the spring of 1966, all was not well in the world. The Vietnam War was then raging and American involvement there was escalating. U.S. Click for Rolling Stones “Hot Rocks” album. Record sleeve for ‘Paint It Black’ single issued in South Africa, 1966.

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