Paint it Black
Jagger Lyrics

The lyrics of "Paint it Black" by The Rolling Stones, sung by Mick Jagger, express a sense of darkness, despair, and a yearning for escape. The singer sees a red door, symbolizing something vibrant and full of life, but desires for it to be painted black. This can be interpreted as a desire to suppress or erase any semblance of color or positivity in their life. By wanting all colors to turn black, they hope to distance themselves from any sense of joy or vibrancy.

The mention of girls walking by in their summer clothes further emphasizes the singer's detachment from the world. They feel the need to turn their head away from the sight, possibly because it only reminds them of the contrast between their internal darkness and the external beauty and happiness around them.

As the song continues, the singer observes a line of cars, also painted black, and mentions flowers and love that will never return. This could symbolize loss and grief, perhaps the death of a loved one. The people around them turn their heads and look away, mirroring the lack of empathy they feel from others. The comparison to a newborn baby suggests that this kind of emotional detachment and avoidance occurs daily, as if it has become a routine.

The lyrics take a turn as the focus shifts inward. The singer looks inside themselves and realizes that their heart is black. They long for their own red door to be painted black, as if hoping that by altering their external environment, they can somehow escape from their internal turmoil. The line "Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts" suggests a desire for oblivion, a way to evade the painful realities of life.

The song ends with a slightly different tone. The singer reflects on the fading of their own sense of wonder and hope, with the mention of the green sea turning a deeper blue. This could symbolize the loss of creative inspiration or the deterioration of their own emotions. However, there is a glimmer of optimism as they believe that if they look hard enough into the setting sun, their love will still find moments of joy and laughter before the morning comes.

Overall, "Paint it Black" is a song that delves into the depths of existential despair, yearning for an escape from the darkness within and external realities.