Paint It Black
Graham BLVD Lyrics
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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 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
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
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
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm
In Graham BLVD's rendition of "Paint It Black," the lyrics describe a desire for everything to be painted black, symbolizing a state of despair and darkness. The singer sees a red door and expresses a strong desire to have it painted black, as well as expressing a longing for the absence of color in general. The girls walking by in their summer clothes bring temporary distraction, but the singer still needs to turn their head until their inner darkness dissipates.
The imagery of a line of cars painted black suggests a somber funeral procession, where the flowers and love accompanying them will never return. The people who turn their heads and quickly look away represent a widespread avoidance of facing the reality of darkness and suffering, as if it is an ordinary occurrence like a newborn baby. Looking inside oneself, the singer realizes their own heart is black, further emphasizing their state of despair.
There is a longing for escape and avoidance of reality, hoping that by fading away and not facing the facts, the pain can be overcome. The desire for the green sea to turn a deeper blue symbolizes a hope for a change or improvement in circumstances. However, the sudden turn of events and the tragedy that befalls someone close whom the singer did not foresee.
The repetition of the verses and the final chorus reinforces the desire for everything to be painted black, even going as far as wanting to blot out the sun from the sky. This intense desire for darkness reflects a deep sadness and a struggle to come to terms with the realities of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I see a red door and I want it painted black
I notice a red door that I desire to be completely covered in black paint
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I no longer have any interest in colors and I wish for everything to be transformed into black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I observe the girls passing by, wearing their summer outfits
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
I must avert my gaze until the darkness within me fades away
I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
I witness a procession of black-painted cars
With flowers and my love both never to come back
Accompanied by flowers, I acknowledge that my love will never return
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
I perceive individuals who swiftly divert their gaze in avoidance
Like a new born baby it just happens ev'ry day
Similar to the regularity of a newborn's arrival, this occurrence takes place daily
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I introspect and realize that darkness encompasses my heart
I see my red door I must have it painted black
I identify my red door and feel an overwhelming need for it to be coated in black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
Perhaps in fading away, I can avoid confronting the harsh realities
It's not easy facin' up, when your whole world is black
Confronting the truth becomes challenging when your entire world is consumed by darkness
No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
The vibrant green sea within me will cease to deepen into a darker shade of blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you
I couldn't anticipate this unfortunate event befalling upon you
If I look hard enough into the settin' sun
If I intensely gaze at the sun as it sets
My love will laugh with me before the mornin' comes
My beloved will share a joyful laugh with me prior to the arrival of morning
I want to see it painted, painted black
I desire to witness it completely covered in black paint
Black as night, black as coal
As dark as the night, as black as coal
I want to see the sun, blotted out from the sky
I long to witness the sun completely obscured from the sky
I want to see it painted, painted, painted, painted black
I yearn to observe it coated repeatedly and thoroughly in black
Yeah
An expression of affirmation or agreement
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind